1997 Minnesota Statutes

     31.95 Organic certification. 

    Subdivision 1.    Designation.  The commissioner shall 
 designate one or more organizations made up of organic food 
 growers, manufacturers, or sellers, to certify organically grown 
 seeds, products, and food.  

    Subd. 2. Repealed by amendment, 1990 c 547 s 4 

    Subd. 3.    Certification requirement.  An organic 
 certification agency may not refuse services or certification to 
 a person: 

    (1) whose seeds, products, and food meet certification 
 requirements; and 

    (2) who has paid certification fees. 

    Subd. 3a.    Certification organizations.  (a) A 
 Minnesota grown organic product that is labeled "certified" must 
 be certified by a designated certification organization.  

    (b) A certified organic product sold in this state must be 
 certified by a designated certification organization or by a 
 certification organization approved by the commissioner.  Before 
 approving a certification organization, the commissioner must 
 seek the evaluation and recommendation of the Minnesota organic 
 advisory task force. 

    (c) The commissioner shall appoint a Minnesota organic 
 advisory task force composed of members of the organic industry 
 to advise the commissioner on organic issues.  Members of the 
 task force may not be paid compensation or costs for expenses.  
 The task force expires on June 30, 2001. 

    Subd. 4.    Rules.  The organic certification 
 organization may draft rules for submission to the commissioner 
 to adopt for implementation of the organically grown 
 certification program. 

    HIST: 1988 c 688 art 8 s 1; 1990 c 547 s 4; 1997 c 192 s 17