# Title 4.1 — Agriculture

## Chapter 4.1-14 — Forage Certification

### § 4.1-14-01. Certification of forage - Compliance with other standards.

1. To obtain certification that weeds prohibited according to the standards of the North
American invasive species management association are not cut when producing
viable seeds and included in baled forage, the owner of the forage shall request that
the agriculture commissioner conduct a certification inspection.
2. Upon receiving the request, the agriculture commissioner shall:
a. Inspect the forage acreage within ten days before harvest to verify that weeds
prohibited according to the standards of the North American invasive species
management association are not present and producing viable seeds; and
b. (1) Ascertain that the scheduled harvest has occurred;
(2) Determine the number of bales for which certification tags or
department-approved twine, or both, must be issued; and
(3) Verify that the baled forage is stored or will be stored only in an area where
weeds prohibited according to the standards of the North American invasive
species management association are not present and producing viable
seeds.
3. If the agriculture commissioner determines that the conditions of subsection 2 have
been met, the commissioner shall issue and affix or cause to be affixed on each bale
of forage one dated certification tag or shall authorize the use of department-approved
twine to bale the forage.
### § 4.1-14-02. Agents of the commissioner - Designation - Training.

The agriculture commissioner may designate individuals to serve as agents of the
commissioner for the purpose of conducting the inspections permitted by this chapter. To be
designated as an agent, an individual must:
1. Be a weed control officer;
2. Be a member of a county or a city weed board;
3. Be determined by the commissioner to have a level of education and experience
sufficient to accurately perform the requested certifications; or
4. At least once every thirty-six months, successfully complete a training program
conducted by the commissioner.
### § 4.1-14-03. Reciprocal recognition of certification.

The agriculture commissioner may contract with any governmental entity that is responsible
for the certification of forage in another state or province and provide for the reciprocal
recognition of such certifications.
### § 4.1-14-04. Fees - Continuing appropriation.

The agriculture commissioner may set and charge fees for certifying forage in accordance
with this chapter. The commissioner shall deposit moneys collected under this chapter in the
environment and rangeland protection fund.
