Missouri Revised Statutes Title XVII. Agriculture and Animals § 263.517. Eradication zones established, authority for--regulations--publication of notice in affected areas--violations, authority to destroy cotton

1. The department may designate by regulation one or more areas of this state as eradication zones where boll weevil eradication programs will be undertaken.

2. The department may promulgate reasonable regulations regarding areas where cotton cannot be planted within an eradication zone when there is reason to believe it will jeopardize the success of the program or present a hazard to public health or safety.

3. The department may issue regulations prohibiting the planting of noncommercial cotton in such elimination zones and requiring that all growers of commercial cotton in the eradication zones participate in a program of boll weevil eradication including cost sharing as prescribed in the regulations.

4. Notice of such prohibition and requirement shall be given by publication for one day each week for three successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the affected area.

5. When a grower fails to meet the requirements of regulations promulgated by the department, the department shall have authority in eradication zones to destroy cotton not in compliance with such regulations.