Maine Revised Statutes Title 7. Agriculture and Animals § 2213. Inspections

1. Inspections of nurseries; sales prohibitions. Inspections of nurseries and sales prohibitions are as follows.

2. Inspection of orchards, fields and gardens. The State Horticulturist or an assistant may inspect any orchard, field, garden or roadside in public or private grounds if there is reasonable cause to believe the area is infested with a plant pest that may be a threat to plants belonging to other property owners or to the health or safety of the general public. The State Horticulturist, after notice and opportunity for a hearing as provided in the Maine Administrative Procedure Act,  1 may order the owner, occupant or person in charge to take any necessary action including the proper treatment or destruction of infested or diseased plants. If the owner of the property or a person having lawful custody of the plants does not comply with the written order, the commissioner may refer the matter to the Attorney General.

3. Inspection of other material. A person may request inspection of other material by the State Horticulturist prior to the movement or sale of that material. The commissioner may assess fees to cover the costs associated with those inspections. Funds generated from the fees must be deposited in a nonlapsing account and used to conduct the inspections.