Statutes, codes, and regulations
Maine Administrative Code
Department 01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRYDivision 001 - AGRICULTURE - GENERAL
Chapter 139 - OFFICIAL STANDARDS FOR CHRISTMAS TREES
Section 001-139-I - Official Standards

01-001-139 Me. Code R. § I

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Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024
Section 001-139-I - Official Standards
A.7 M.R.S.A. §§442 and 443 authorizes the Commissioner (of Agriculture) to "establish and promulgate official grades and standards for farm products" and other natural resource products through joint rulemaking with the appropriate department. Such official standards shall not be lower in their requirements than the minimum requirements and official standards for corresponding grades or classifications as promulgated by the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States. The Commissioner hereby incorporates by reference as the standards for grading of Maine Christmas Trees the U.S. Standards for Grades of Christmas Trees, Sections 51.3085 - 51.3106 (Annex(1) of the U.S.D.A., Agricultural Marketing Service, effective October 30, 1989 and designated as Maine grades in cooperation with the Department of Conservation through joint rulemaking.
B.Definitions

For the purposes of this Chapter, and unless the context otherwise indicates, the following words shall have the following meanings:

1. "Grades" means designated quality levels for Maine grades for Christmas trees, Premium, No. I and No. 2 that are established by the Commissioner.
2. "Inspection on the stump" means the designation of a grade as applied to individual trees prior to cutting.
3. "Licensed user" means the association of Christmas tree growers or individual producers who have applied for and been issued a license to use the official quality trademark on tags or labels in compliance with Chapter 135, Official Use of the State of Maine Quality Trademark, (Annex(2).
4. "Permit number" means assigned lot or permit number appearing on the tag or label identifying the licensed user.
5. "Quality identity tags" means tags or labels bearing the State of Maine Quality Trademark with the grades designated as "Maine Premium" or "Maine No. 1" to identify the quality grades acceptable for use with the trademark.
6. "Representative sample" means a proportionate amount of the whole sample that statistically represents the entire lot.
7. "Trademark" means a silhouette of the State of Maine as described in Section II of Chapter 135, Official Use of the State of Maine Quality Trademark.

01-001 C.M.R. ch. 139, § I