1999 Minnesota Statutes

     31.94 Commissioner duties. 

    (a) The commissioner shall enforce sections 31.92 to 31.95. 
 The commissioner shall withhold from sale or trade any product 
 sold, labeled, or advertised in violation of sections 31.92 to 
 31.95. 

    (b) The commissioner shall investigate the offering for 
 sale, labeling, or advertising of an article or substance as 
 organically grown, organically processed, or produced in an 
 organic environment if there is reason to believe that action is 
 in violation of sections 31.92 to 31.95. 

    (c) The commissioner may adopt rules that further clarify 
 organic food standards and marketing practices. 

    (d) In order to promote opportunities for organic 
 agriculture in Minnesota, the commissioner shall: 

    (1) survey producers and support services and organizations 
 to determine information and research needs in the area of 
 organic agriculture practices; 

    (2) work with the University of Minnesota to demonstrate 
 the on-farm applicability of organic agriculture practices to 
 conditions in this state; 

    (3) direct the programs of the department so as to work 
 toward the promotion of organic agriculture in this state; 

    (4) inform agencies of how state or federal programs could 
 utilize and support organic agriculture practices; and 

    (5) work closely with farmers, the University of Minnesota, 
 the Minnesota trade office, and other appropriate organizations 
 to identify opportunities and needs as well as ensure 
 coordination and avoid duplication of state agency efforts 
 regarding research, teaching, and extension work relating to 
 organic agriculture. 

    (e) By November 15 of each even-numbered year the 
 commissioner, in conjunction with the task force created in 
 section 31.95, subdivision 3a, shall report on the status of 
 organic agriculture in Minnesota to the legislative policy and 
 finance committees and divisions with jurisdiction over 
 agriculture.  The report must include: 

    (1) a description of current state or federal programs 
 directed toward organic agriculture, including significant 
 results and experiences of those programs; 

    (2) a description of specific actions the department of 
 agriculture is taking in the area of organic agriculture, 
 including the proportion of the department's budget spent on 
 organic agriculture; 

    (3) a description of current and future research needs at 
 all levels in the area of organic agriculture; and 

    (4) suggestions for changes in existing programs or 
 policies or enactment of new programs or policies that will 
 affect organic agriculture. 

    HIST: 1985 c 237 s 5; 1990 c 547 s 3; 1995 c 233 art 2 s 56; 
 1999 c 231 s 56