4 TAC §20.22
The Department of Agriculture (the department) adopts on
an emergency basis, an amendment to §20.22, concerning the authorized
cotton destruction date for pest management Zone 8.
The department is acting on behalf of cotton farmers in Ellis, Johnson
and Navarro counties.
The current cotton destruction deadline for Zone 8 is November 30. Prior
emergency amendments as published in 21 TexReg 12039 and 21 TexReg 12349
extended the deadline for Ellis, Johnson and Navarro counties to December
31. The cotton destruction deadline will now be extended through January
15 for Ellis, Johnson and Navarro counties only. The department believes
that changing the cotton destruction date in these counties is both necessary
and appropriate.
Adverse weather conditions have created a situation compelling an immediate
extension of the cotton destruction date for Ellis, Johnson and Navarro
counties. The unusually wet weather prior to the cotton destruction period
has prevented many cotton producers in those counties from completing cotton
destruction by the deadline. A failure to act to extend the cotton destruction
deadline in those counties could create a significant loss to Texas cotton
producers and the state's economy.
The emergency amendment to §20.22(a) will extend the date for cotton
destruction through January 15 of this year in Ellis, Johnson and Navarro
counties.
The amendment is adopted on an emergency basis under Texas Agriculture
Code, §74.006, which provides the Texas Department of Agriculture with
the authority to adopt rules as necessary for the effective enforcement
and administration of Chapter 74, Subchapter A; and §74.004, which
provides the department with the authority to establish regulated areas,
dates and appropriate methods of destruction of stalks, other parts, and
products of host plants for cotton pests and provides the department with
the authority to consider a request for a cotton destruction extension
due to adverse weather conditions; and the Government Code, §2001.34,
which provides for the adoption of administrative rules on an emergency
basis, without notice and comment.
§20.22. Stalk Destruction Requirements.
(a)
Deadlines and methods. All cotton plants in a pest management
zone shall be destroyed, regardless of the method used, by the stalk destruction
dates indicated for the zone. Destruction shall be accomplished by the methods
described as follows:
Figure: 4 TAC §20.22(a)
(b)-(c)
(No change.)
Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 31, 1996.
TRD-9618755
Dolores Alvarado Hibbs
Deputy General Counsel
Texas Department of Agriculture
Effective date: January 1, 1997
Expiration date: January 16, 1997
For further information, please call: (512) 463-7583