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H.484
IntroducedbyCommitteeonAgriculture,FoodResiliency,andForestry
Date:
Subject:Agriculture;fertilizer;beneficialsubstances;miscellaneoussubjects
Statementofpurposeofbillasintroduced:Thisbillproposestoamendthe
Statestatutesontheuseofplantamendments,plantbiostimulants,andsoil
amendmentstobeconsistentwiththeuniformstandardsforregulationof
beneficialsubstances.Thebillwoulddefine“beneficialsubstances”tomean
anysubstanceorcompound,otherthanprimary,secondary,andmicroplant
nutrients(fertilizers),andexcludingpesticides,thatcanbedemonstratedby
scientificresearchtobebeneficialtooneormorespeciesofplants,soil,or
media.
Anactrelatingtomiscellaneousagriculturalsubjects
ItisherebyenactedbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheStateofVermont:
Sec.1.6V.S.A.chapter28isamendedtoread:
CHAPTER28.FERTILIZERAND,LIME,ANDBENEFICIAL
SUBSTANCES
§361.TITLE
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Thischaptershallbeknownasthe“Fertilizer,Lime,PlantAmendment,
PlantBiostimulant,andSoilAmendmentandBeneficialSubstancesLaw.”
§362.ENFORCINGOFFICIAL
ThischaptershallbeadministeredbytheSecretaryofAgriculture,Food
andMarketsordesignee,hereafterreferredtoastheSecretary.
§363.DEFINITIONS
Asusedinthischapter:
(1)“Agriculturallime”or“agriculturallimingmaterial”or“lime”
meansoneormoreofthefollowing:
(A)Allproductswithcalciumandmagnesiumcompoundsthatare
capableofneutralizingsoilacidityandthatareintended,sold,orofferedfor
saleforagriculturalorplantpropagationpurposes.
(B)Limestoneconsistingessentiallyofcalciumcarbonateora
combinationofcalciumcarbonatewithmagnesiumcarbonatecapableof
neutralizingsoilacidity.
(C)Industrialwasteorindustrialby-productsthatcontaincalcium;
calciumandmagnesium;orcalcium,magnesium,andpotassiuminformsthat
arecapableofneutralizingsoilacidityandthatareintended,sold,oroffered
forsaleforagriculturalpurposes.Forthepurposesofthischapter,theterms
“agriculturallime,”“lime,”and“agriculturallimingmaterial”shallhavethe
samemeaning.
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(2)“Beneficialsubstance”meansanysubstanceorcompound,other
thanprimary,secondary,andmicroplantnutrients(fertilizers),andexcluding
pesticides,thatcanbedemonstratedbyscientificresearchtobebeneficialto
oneormorespeciesofplants,soil,ormedia.Beneficialsubstancesinclude
plantamendments,plantbiostimulants,plantinoculants,soilamendments,soil
inoculants,andotherchemicalorbiologicalsubstancesbeneficialtoplantsor
theirgrowingenvironment.
(3)“Brand”meansaterm,design,ortrademarkusedinconnectionwith
oneormoregradesorformulasoffertilizer,plantamendment,plant
biostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlime.
(3)(4)“Distribute”meanstoimport,consign,manufacture,produce,
compound,mix,blend,offerforsale,sell,barter,orsupplyafertilizer,aplant
amendment,aplantbiostimulant,asoilamendmentabeneficialsubstance,or
limeinthisStatethroughanymeans,includingsalesoutlets,catalogues,the
telephone,theinternet,oranyelectronicmeans.
(4)(5)“Distributor”meansanypersonwhodistributesfertilizer,plant
amendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentsbeneficialsubstance,orlime.
(5)(6)“Exceptionalqualitybiosolid”meansaproductderivedinwhole
orinpartfromdomesticwastesthathavebeensubjectedtoandmeetthe
requirementsofthefollowing:
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(A)apathogenreductionprocessestablishedin40C.F.R.
§ 503.32(a)(3),(4),(7),or(8);
(B)oneofthevectorattractionreductionstandardsestablishedin40
C.F.R.§503.33;
(C)thecontaminantconcentrationlimitsinVermontSolidWaste
Rules§6-1303(a)(1);and
(D)ifderivedfromacompostingprocess,VermontSolidWaste
Rules§6-1303(a)(5).
(6)(7)“Fertilizer”meansanysubstancecontainingoneormore
recognizedplantnutrientsthatisusedforitsplantnutrientcontentandthatis
designedforuseorclaimedtohavevalueinpromotingplantgrowthorhealth,
exceptunprocessedanimalorvegetablemanuresandotherproductsexempted
bytheSecretary.
(A)Afertilizermaterialisasubstancethateither:
(i)containsimportantquantitiesofatleastoneoftheprimary
plantnutrients:nitrogen,phosphorus,orpotassium;
(ii)has85percentormoreofitsplantnutrientcontentpresentin
theformofasinglechemicalcompound;or
(iii)isderivedfromaplantorchemicalresidueorby-productor
naturalmaterialdepositthathasbeenprocessedinsuchawaythatitscontent
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ofplantnutrientshasnotbeenmateriallychangedexceptbypurificationand
concentration.
(B)Amixedfertilizerisafertilizercontaininganycombinationor
mixtureoffertilizermaterials.
(C)Aspecialtyfertilizerisafertilizerdistributedfornonfarmuse.
(D)Abulkfertilizerisafertilizerdistributedinanonpackagedform.
(7)(8)“Formulation”meansamaterialormixtureofmaterialsprepared
accordingtoaparticularformula.
(8)(9)“Grade”meansthepercentageoftotalnitrogen,available
phosphorusorphosphoricacid,andsolublepotassiumorpotashstatedin
wholenumbersinthesameterms,order,orpercentagesasintheguaranteed
analysis.Specialtyfertilizersandfertilizermaterialsmaybeguaranteedin
fractionalterms.Anygradeexpressedinfractionaltermsthatisnotpreceded
byawholenumbershallbeprecededbyzero.
(9)(10)“Guaranteedanalysis”means:
(A)inreferencetofertilizer,theminimumpercentagesofplant
nutrientsclaimedbythemanufacturerorproduceroftheproductinthe
followingorderandform:nitrogen,phosphorus,andpotash;and
(B)inreferencetoagriculturallimeoragriculturallimingmaterial,
theminimumpercentagesofcalciumoxideandmagnesiumoxideorcalcium
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carbonateandthecalciumcarbonateequivalent,orboth,asclaimedbythe
manufacturerorproduceroftheproduct.
(10)(11)“Label”meansthedisplayofallwritten,printed,orgraphic
matterupontheimmediatecontainerorastatementaccompanyingafertilizer,
plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,or
lime.
(11)(12)“Labeling”meansallwritten,printed,orgraphicmaterialupon
oraccompanyinganyfertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soil
amendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlime,includingadvertisements,brochures,
posters,andtelevisionandradioannouncementsusedinpromotingthesaleof
thefertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficial
substance,orlime.
(12)(13)“Officialsample”meansanysampleoffertilizer,plant
amendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlime
takenbytheSecretary.
(13)(14)“Plantamendment”meansanysubstanceappliedtoplantsor
seedsthatisintendedtoimprovegrowth,yield,productquality,reproduction,
flavor,orotherfavorablecharacteristicsofplants,exceptforfertilizer,soil
amendments,agriculturallimingmaterials,animalandvegetablemanures,
pesticides,plantregulators,andothermaterialsexemptedbyruleadopted
underthischapter.
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(14)(15)“Plantbiostimulant”meansasubstanceor,microorganism,or
mixturesthereofthat,whenappliedtoseeds,plants,ortherhizosphere,
stimulatessoil,orothergrowthmediaacttosupportaplant’snaturalnutrition
processestoenhanceorbenefitnutrientuptake,nutrientefficiency,tolerance
toabioticstress,orcropqualityandyield,exceptforfertilizers,soil
amendments,plantamendments,orpesticidesindependentlyofthe
biostimulant’snutrientcontent.Theplantbiostimulanttherebyimproves
nutrientavailability,uptake,oruseefficiency;tolerancetoabioticstress;and
consequentgrowthdevelopment,quality,oryield.TheSecretarymaymodify
thedefinitionof“plantbiostimulant”byruleorprocedureinordertomaintain
consistencywithU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturerequirements.
(16)“Plantinoculant”meansaproductconsistingofmicroorganismsto
beappliedtotheplantorsoilforthepurposeofenhancingtheavailabilityor
uptakeofplantnutrientsthroughtherootsystem.
(15)(17)“Percent”or“percentage”meansthepercentagebyweight.
(16)(18)“Primarynutrient”includesnitrogen,availablephosphoricacid
orphosphorus,andsolublepotashorpotassium.
(17)(19)“Product”meansthenameofthefertilizer,plantamendment,
plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlimethatidentifies
itastokind,class,orspecificuse.
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(18)(20)“Registrant”meansthepersonwhoregistersafertilizer,plant
amendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlime
undertheprovisionsofthischapter.
(19)(21)“Soilamendment”meansasubstanceormixtureofsubstance
thatisintendedtoimprovethephysical,chemical,biochemical,biological,or
othercharacteristicsofthesoiloradistinctformofhorticulturalgrowing
mediausedinlieuofsoil.“Soilamendment”doesnotmeanfertilizers,
agriculturallimingmaterials,unprocessedanimalmanures,unprocessed
vegetablemanures,pesticides,plantbiostimulants,andothermaterials
exemptedbyrule.Acompostproductfromafacilityunderthejurisdictionof
theAgencyofNaturalResources’SolidWasteManagementRulesor
exceptionalqualitybiosolidsshallnotberegulatedasasoilamendmentunder
thischapter,unlessmarketedanddistributedfortheuseintheproductionofan
agriculturalcommodity.
(22)“Soilinoculant”meansamicrobialproductthatisappliedto
colonizethesoiltobenefitthesoilchemistry,biology,orstructure.
(20)(23)“Ton”meansanetweightof2,000poundsavoirdupois.
(21)(24)“Use”includesallpurposesforwhichafertilizer,plant
amendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlime
isapplied.
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(22)(25)“Weight”meanstheweightofundriedmaterialasofferedfor
sale.
§364.REGISTRATION
(a)Eachbrandorgradeorformulaoffertilizer,plantamendment,plant
biostimulant,orsoilamendmentbeneficialsubstanceshallberegisteredinthe
nameofthepersonwhosenameappearsuponthelabelbeforebeing
distributedinthisState.Theapplicationforregistrationshallbesubmittedto
theSecretaryonaformfurnishedbytheAgencyofAgriculture,Foodand
Marketsandshallbeaccompaniedbyafeeof$85.00pergradeorformulation
registered.UponapprovalbytheSecretary,acopyoftheregistrationshallbe
furnishedtotheapplicant.AllregistrationsexpireonDecember31ofeach
year.Theapplicationshallincludethefollowinginformation:
(1)thebrandandgradeorformulation;
(2)theguaranteedanalysisifapplicable;and
(3)thenameandaddressoftheregistrant.
(b)Adistributorshallnotberequiredtoregisteranyfertilizer,plant
amendment,plantbiostimulant,orsoilamendmentorbeneficialsubstancethat
isalreadyregisteredunderthischapterbyanotherperson,providedthereisno
changeinthelabelforthefertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,or
soilamendmentorbeneficialsubstance.
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(c)Eachbeneficialsubstancebrandshallrefertoaspecificformulation.
Differentbrandsmayrefertothesamespecificformulation.Productsfor
whichformulationschange,suchaschangesinthe“ContainsBeneficial
Substances”analysis,statementofcomposition,oranythingthatimpliesa
differentproduct,mustobtainanewregistrationwithabrandthat
distinguishesitfromthepreviousformulation.
(d)Adistributorshallnotberequiredtoregistereachgradeoffertilizer
formulatedoreachformulationofsoilamendmentaccordingtospecifications
thatarefurnishedbyaconsumerpriortomixingbutshallberequiredtolabel
thefertilizerorsoilamendmentasprovidedinsubsection365(b)ofthistitle.
(d)(e)TheSecretarymayrequestadditionalproofoftestingofproducts
priortoregistrationforguaranteedanalysesoradulterants.
(e)(f)Eachseparatelyidentifiedagriculturallimeproductshallbe
registeredbeforebeingdistributedinthisState.Registrationshallbe
performedinthesamemannerasfertilizerregistrationexceptthateach
applicationshallbeaccompaniedbyafeeof$50.00perproduct.
(f)(g)Theregistrationandtonnagefees,alongwithanydeficiency
penaltiescollectedpursuanttosections331and372ofthistitle,shallbe
depositedinaspecialfund.Fundsdepositedinthisfundshallberestrictedto
implementingandadministeringtheprovisionsofthistitleandanyother
provisionsoflawrelatingtofeedsandseeds.
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§365.LABELS
(a)(1)AnyfertilizeroragriculturallimedistributedinthisStatein
containersshallhaveplacedonoraffixedtothecontaineralabelsettingforth
inclearlylegibleandconspicuousformthefollowinginformation:
(A)netweight;
(B)brandandgrade,providedthatgradeshallnotberequiredwhen
noprimarynutrientsareclaimed;
(C)guaranteedanalysis;and
(D)nameandaddressoftheregistrant.
(2)Forbulkshipments,thisinformationinwrittenorprintedformshall
accompanydeliveryandbesuppliedtothepurchaseratthetimeofdelivery.
(b)Afertilizerorlimeformulatedaccordingtospecificationsfurnishedby
aconsumerpriortomixingshallbelabeledtoshowthenetweight,the
guaranteedanalysisorname,analysisandweightofeachingredientusedin
themixture,andthenameandaddressofthedistributorandpurchaser.
(c)IftheSecretaryfindsthatarequirementforexpressingcalciumand
magnesiuminelementalformwouldnotimposeaneconomichardshipon
distributorsandusersofagriculturallimingmaterialsbyreasonofconflicting
labelrequirementsamongstates,theSecretarymayrequirebyrulethatthe
minimumpercentofcalciumoxideandmagnesiumoxideorcalciumcarbonate
andmagnesiumcarbonate,orboth,shallbeexpressedinthefollowingterms:
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TotalCalcium(Ca).........................................percent
TotalMagnesium(Mg).........................................percent
(d)(1)Anyplantamendment,plantbiostimulant,orsoilamendment
beneficialsubstancedistributedinthisStateincontainersshallhaveplacedon
oraffixedtothecontaineralabelsettingforthinclearlylegibleand
conspicuousformthefollowinginformation:
(A)netweightorvolume;
(B)brandname;
(C)purposestatementidentifyingthepurposeoftheproduct;
(D)directionsforapplicationoruse;
(E)guaranteedanalysis;and
(F)nameandaddressoftheregistrant;and
(F)astatementofcompositionshowingtheamountofeach
ingredient,whichistheagentinaproductprimarilyresponsibleforthe
intendedeffectsusingthefollowingformat:
CONTAINSBENEFICIALSUBSTANCE(S)
Nameofbeneficialsubstance %(oracceptable
units)
Genusandspeciesofmicroorganism %viableCFU/cm3,/ml,
/g,orotheracceptableunits
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(Identifyandlistallbeneficialsubstances.Substancesshallinclude
ingredientsource,ifapplicable.Ex.“humicacidfromleonarditeorsaponin
fromYuccaschidigera”).
(2)Forproductsthatclaimmicroorganisms,labelsshallalsoinclude:
(A)theexpirationdateforuse;and
(B)storageconditions.
(2)(3)Forbulkshipmentsoffertilizer,plantamendment,plant
biostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstances,orlime,theinformation
requiredunderthissubsectionshallaccompanydeliveryinwrittenorprinted
formandshallbesuppliedtothepurchaseratthetimeofdelivery.
(4)Efficacydatamayberequiredtosupportbeneficialsubstance
ingredientclaimsiftheingredientisnotpresentlydefinedbytheAssociation
ofAmericanPlantFoodControlOfficials’OfficialPublicationforthe
particularclaim.
(3)(5)Underaruleadoptedunderthissubsection,anaffectedperson
shallbegivenareasonabletimetocomeintocompliance.
§366.TONNAGEFEES
(a)ApersondistributingfertilizertoanonregistrantconsumerintheState
annuallyshallpaythefollowingfeestotheSecretary:
(1)a$150.00minimumtonnagefee;
(2)$0.50pertonofagriculturalfertilizerdistributed;and
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(3)$30.00pertonofnonagriculturalfertilizerdistributed.
(b)PersonsdistributingfertilizershallreportannuallyonorbeforeJanuary
15forthepreviousyearendingDecember31totheSecretaryrevealingthe
amountsofeachgradeoffertilizerandtheforminwhichthefertilizerwas
distributedwithinthisState.Eachreportshallbeaccompaniedwithpayment
andwrittenpermissionallowingtheSecretarytoexaminetheperson’sbooks
forthepurposeofverifyingtonnagereports.
(c)NoinformationconcerningtonnagesalesfurnishedtotheSecretary
underthissectionshallbedisclosedinsuchawayastodivulgethedetailsof
thebusinessoperationtoanypersonunlessitisnecessaryfortheenforcement
oftheprovisionsofthischapter.
(d)Personsdistributingaplantamendment,plantbiostimulant,orsoil
amendmentbeneficialsubstanceintheStateshallreportannuallyonorbefore
January15forthepreviousyearendingDecember31totheSecretary
revealingtheamountsofeachformulationofplantamendment,plant
biostimulant,orsoilamendmentbeneficialsubstanceandtheforminwhich
theplantamendment,plantbiostimulant,orsoilamendmentbeneficial
substancewasdistributedwithinthisState.Eachreportshallincludeawritten
authorizationallowingtheSecretarytoexaminetheperson’sbooksforthe
purposeofverifyingtonnagereports.Plantamendments,plantbiostimulants,
andsoilamendmentsareAbeneficialsubstanceisexemptfromtonnagefees.
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(e)Agriculturallimes,includingagriculturallimemixedwithwoodash,
areexemptfromthetonnagefeesrequiredinthissection.
(f)Limeandwoodashmixturesmayberegisteredasagriculturalliming
materialsandguaranteedforpotassiumorpotash,providedthatthewoodash
totalslessthan50percentofthemixture.
(g)(1)Allfeescollectedundersubdivisions(a)(1)and(2)ofthissection
shallbedepositedinthespecialfundcreatedbysubsection364(f)ofthistitle
andusedinaccordancewithitsprovisions.
(2)Allfeescollectedundersubdivision(a)(3)ofthissectionshallbe
depositedintheAgriculturalWaterQualitySpecialFundcreatedundersection
4803ofthistitle.
(h)[Repealed.]
§367.INSPECTION;SAMPLING;ANALYSIS
Forthepurposeofenforcingthischapteranddeterminingwhetherornot
fertilizers,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentsbeneficial
substances,andlimedistributedinthisStateendangerthehealthandsafetyof
Vermontcitizens,theSecretaryuponpresentingappropriatecredentialsis
authorized:
(1)Toenteranypublicorprivatepremisesexceptdomicilesduring
regularbusinesshoursandstopandenteranyvehiclebeingusedtotransport
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orholdfertilizer,aplantamendment,aplantbiostimulant,asoilamendment
beneficialsubstances,orlime.
(2)Toinspectblendingplants,warehouses,establishments,vehicles,
equipment,finishedorunfinishedmaterials,containers,labeling,andrecords
relatingtodistribution,storage,oruse.
(3)Tosampleandanalyzeanyfertilizer,plantamendment,plant
biostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlime.Themethodsof
samplingandanalysisshallbethoseadoptedbytheAssociationofOfficial
AnalyticalChemists.Incasesnotcoveredbythismethodorincaseswhere
methodsareavailableinwhichimprovedapplicabilityhasbeendemonstrated,
theSecretarymayauthorizeandadoptmethodsthatreflectsoundanalytical
procedures.
(4)Todevelopanyreasonablemeansnecessarytomonitorandadopt
rulesfortheuseoffertilizers,plantamendments,plantbiostimulants,soil
amendmentsbeneficialsubstances,andlimeonVermontsoilswhere
monitoringindicatesenvironmentalorhealthproblems.Inaddition,the
Secretarymaydevelopandadoptrulesfortheproperstorageoffertilizers,
plantamendments,plantbiostimulants,soilamendmentsbeneficialsubstances,
andlimeheldfordistributionorsale.
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§368.MISBRANDING
(a)Nopersonshalldistributeamisbrandedfertilizer,plantamendment,
plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,oragriculturallime.
Afertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,orsoilamendment
beneficialsubstanceshallbedeemedtobemisbrandediftheSecretary
determinesoneormoreofthefollowing:
(1)Thelabelingisfalseormisleadinginanyparticular.
(2)Itisdistributedunderthenameofanotherfertilizerproduct,plant
amendment,plantbiostimulant,orsoilamendmentbeneficialsubstance.
(3)Itcontainsunsubstantiatedclaims.
(4)Itisnotlabeledasrequiredinsection365ofthistitleandin
accordancewithrulesadoptedunderthischapter.
(5)Itislabeled,orrepresented,tocontainaplantnutrientthatdoesnot
conformtothestandardofidentityestablishedbyrule.Inadoptingrules
underthischapter,theSecretaryshallgiveconsiderationtoconsider
definitionsrecommendedbytheAssociationofAmericanPlantFoodControl
Officials.
(b)Anagriculturallimeshallbedeemedtobemisbrandedif:
(1)itslabelingisfalseormisleadinginanyparticular;or
(2)itisnotlabeledasrequiredbysection365ofthistitleandin
accordancewithrulesadoptedunderthischapter.
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§369.ADULTERATION
Nopersonshalldistributeanadulteratedlime,plantamendment,plant
biostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orfertilizerproduct.A
fertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficial
substance,orlimeshallbedeemedtobeadulteratedif:
(1)itcontainsanydeleteriousorharmfulingredientinanamount
sufficienttorenderitinjurioustobeneficialplantlife,animals,humans,
aquaticlife,soil,orwaterwhenappliedinaccordancewithdirectionsforuse
onthelabel,orifusesoftheproductmayresultincontaminationor
condemnationofarawagriculturalcommoditybyuse,orifadequatewarning
statementsordirectionsforusethatmaybenecessarytoprotectplantlife,
animals,humans,aquaticlife,soil,orwaterarenotshownonthelabel;
(2)itscompositionfallsbelowordiffersfromthatwhichitispurported
topossessbyitslabeling;
(3)itcontainscropseedorweedseed;or
(4)itcontainsheavymetals,radioactivesubstances,orsynthetic
organicsinamountssufficienttorenderitinjurioustolivestockorhuman
healthwhenappliedinaccordancewithdirectionsforuseonthelabel,orif
adequatewarningstatementsordirectionsforusethatmaybenecessaryto
protectlivestockorhumanhealtharenotshownonthelabel.
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§370.PUBLICATION;CONSUMERINFORMATIONREGARDINGUSE
ONNONAGRICULTURAL TURFOFFERTILIZER,PLANT
AMENDMENTS, PLANTBIOSTIMULANTS,ANDSOIL
AMENDMENTS BENEFICIALSUBSTANCES
(a)TheSecretaryshallpublishonanannualbasis:
(1)informationconcerningthedistributionoffertilizers,plant
amendments,plantbiostimulants,soilamendmentsbeneficialsubstances,and
limes;and
(2)resultsofanalysesbasedonofficialsamplesoffertilizers,plant
amendments,plantbiostimulants,soilamendmentsbeneficialsubstances,and
limedistributedwithintheStateascomparedwithguaranteedanalyses
requiredpursuanttothetermsofthischapter.
(b)(1)TheSecretary,inconsultationwiththeUniversityofVermont
Extension,fertilizerindustryrepresentatives,lakegroups,andotherinterested
oraffectedparties,shallproduceinformationfordistributiontothegeneral
publicwithrespecttothefollowing:
(A)problemsfacedbythewatersoftheStatebecauseofdischarges
ofphosphorus;
(B)anexplanationoftheextenttowhichphosphorusexistsnaturally
inthesoil;
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(C)voluntarybestmanagementpracticesfortheuseoffertilizers
containingphosphorusonnonagriculturalturf;and
(D)bestmanagementpracticesforresidentialsourcesofphosphorus.
(2)TheSecretaryshalldeveloptheinformationrequiredunderthis
subsectionandmakeitavailabletothegeneralpublicinthemannerdeemed
mosteffective,whichmayinclude:
(A)conspicuouspostingatthepointofretailsaleoffertilizer
containingphosphorus,accordingtorecommendationsforhowthat
conspicuouspostingmaybesttakeplace;
(B)publicserviceannouncementsbymeansofelectronicmedia;or
(C)othermethodsdeemedbytheSecretarytobelikelytobe
effective.
***
§371.RULES
TheSecretaryisauthorizedtoadoptrulespursuantto3V.S.A.chapter25
asmaybenecessarytoimplementtheintentofthischapterandtoenforce
thoserules.
***
§374.SHORTWEIGHT
(a)Ifanyfertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendment
beneficialsubstance,oragriculturallimingmaterialisfoundtobeshortinnet
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weight,theregistrantofthefertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,
soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlimeshallpayapenaltyofthreetimes
thevalueoftheactualshortagetotheaffectedparty.
(b)Eachregistrantshallbeofferedanopportunityforahearingbeforethe
Secretary.Penaltypaymentsshallbemadewithin30daysafternoticeofthe
Secretary’sdecisiontoassessapenalty.Proofofpaymenttotheconsumer
shallbepromptlyforwardedtotheSecretarybytheregistrant.
(c)Iftheconsumercannotbefound,theamountofthepenaltypayments
shallbepaidtotheSecretarywhoshalldepositthepaymentintotherevolving
accountestablishedbysubsection364(f)ofthistitle.
(d)Thissectionisnotanexclusivecauseofaction,andpersonsaffected
mayutilizeanyotherrightofactionavailableunderlaw.
§375.CANCELLATIONOFREGISTRATION
TheSecretaryisauthorizedtocancelorsuspendtheregistrationofany
fertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficial
substance,orlimeorrefusearegistrationapplicationiftheprovisionsofthis
chapterortherulesadoptedunderthischapterhavebeenviolated,provided
thatnoregistrationshallberevokedorrefusedwithoutahearingbeforethe
Secretary.
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§376.DETAINEDFERTILIZER,BENEFICIALSUBSTANCE,ANDLIME
(a)Withdrawalfromdistributionorders.WhentheSecretaryhas
reasonablecausetobelieveanylotoffertilizer,plantamendment,plant
biostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlimeisbeingdistributed
inviolationofanyoftheprovisionsofthischapteroranyoftherulesunder
thischapter,theSecretarymayissueandenforceawrittenorprinted
“withdrawalfromdistribution”order,warningthedistributornottodisposeof
thelotoffertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendment
beneficialsubstance,orlimeinanymanneruntilwrittenpermissionisgiven
bytheSecretaryorthecourt.TheSecretaryshallreleasethelotoffertilizer,
plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,or
limewithdrawnwhenthischapterandruleshavebeencompliedwith.If
complianceisnotobtainedwithin30days,theSecretarymaybegin,orupon
requestofthedistributororregistrantshallbegin,proceedingsfor
condemnation.
(b)Condemnationandconfiscation.Anylotoffertilizer,plant
amendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlime
notincompliancewiththischapterandrulesshallbesubjecttoseizureon
complaintoftheSecretarytoacourtofcompetentjurisdictionintheareain
whichthefertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendment
beneficialsubstance,orlimeislocated.Intheeventthecourtfindsthe
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fertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficial
substance,orlimetobeinviolationofthischapterandordersthe
condemnationofthefertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soil
amendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlime,itshallbedisposedofinanymanner
consistentwiththequalityofthefertilizer,plantamendment,plant
biostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlimeandthelawsofthe
State,providedthatinnoinstanceshalldispositionofthefertilizer,plant
amendment,plantbiostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlime
beorderedbythecourtwithoutfirstgivingtheclaimantanopportunityto
applytothecourtforreleaseofthefertilizer,plantamendment,plant
biostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlimeorforpermission
toprocessorrelabelthefertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soil
amendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlimetobringitintocompliancewiththis
chapter.
***
§379.EXCHANGESBETWEENMANUFACTURERS
Nothinginthischaptershallbeconstruedtorestrictorimpairsalesor
exchangesoffertilizers,plantamendments,plantbiostimulants,orsoil
amendmentsorbeneficialsubstancestoeachotherbyimporters,
manufacturers,ormanipulatorswhomixfertilizermaterials,plant
amendments,plantbiostimulants,orsoilamendmentsorbeneficialsubstances
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forsaleortopreventthefreeandunrestrictedshipmentsoffertilizer,plant
amendments,plantbiostimulant,orsoilamendmentsorbeneficialsubstances
tomanufacturersormanipulatorswhohaveregisteredtheirbrandsasrequired
byprovisionsofthischapter.
§380.ADMINISTRATIVEPENALTY
Consistentwithchapter1ofthistitle,theSecretarymayassessan
administrativepenaltyupondeterminingthatapersonhasviolatedarule
issuedunderthischapterorhasviolatedthischapterinthefollowingmanner:
(1)distributedaspecialtyfertilizer,plantamendment,plant
biostimulant,soilamendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlimewithoutfirst
obtainingtheappropriateproductregistration;
(2)distributedafertilizer,plantamendment,plantbiostimulant,soil
amendmentbeneficialsubstance,orlimewithoutappropriateandaccurate
labeling,includingwhenabeneficialsubstancelabeldoesnotreflectits
composition;
(3)distributedanyadulteratedfertilizer,beneficialsubstance,orlime;
(4)failedtodiscloseonthelabelsourcesofpotentiallydeleterious
components;
(3)(5)failedtoreportortoaccuratelyreporttheamountandformof
eachgradeoffertilizerdistributedinVermontonanannualbasis;
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(4)(6)failedtoreportortoaccuratelyreporttheamountandformof
eachformulationofplantamendment,plantbiostimulant,orsoilamendment
beneficialsubstance;
(5)(7)failedtopaytheappropriatetonnagefee;or
(6)(8)violatedaceaseanddesistorder.
***
Sec.2.EFFECTIVEDATE
ThisactshalltakeeffectonJuly1,2025.
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