Code of Vermont Rules Agency 20 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND MARKETS
Agency 20 of the Code of Vermont Rules governs the Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM). This agency plays a crucial role in regulating and promoting Vermont's agricultural industry, ensuring food safety, animal health, environmental stewardship, and consumer protection.
The rules within Agency 20 are extensive and organized into various "Sub-Agencies" and "Chapters," reflecting the diverse responsibilities of the VAAFM. Here's a comprehensive overview of the types of regulations you would find:
I. Administrative and General Operations:
Sub-Agency 010 - ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION:
Rules of Practice: Procedures for hearings, rule-making, and other administrative processes within the agency.
Public Records: Rules regarding access to public records held by VAAFM.
Farm Determination: Regulations for determining what constitutes a "farm" for regulatory purposes, which can impact zoning and other state regulations (e.g., whether local zoning bylaws apply).
II. Agricultural Development and Marketing:
Sub-Agency 011 - DEVELOPMENT DIVISION:
Maple Products Regulations: Detailed rules for the grading, labeling, and sale of maple syrup and other maple products, a vital industry in Vermont.
Agricultural Development Programs: Regulations for grants, financial assistance, and other programs aimed at promoting agricultural growth and viability.
Vermont Seal of Quality Program: Rules for the certification and use of the "Vermont Seal of Quality" mark for agricultural products.
III. Dairy and Livestock Health and Safety:
Sub-Agency 021 - DAIRY DIVISION:
General Dairy Regulations: Comprehensive rules for the production, processing, handling, and sale of milk and milk products, ensuring sanitary conditions and quality standards. This includes regulations for bulk milk haulers, collectors, and frozen dessert processors.
Raw Milk Sales: Specific requirements for farmers selling raw milk directly to consumers, including registration and handling standards.
Milk Handler Licenses: Requirements for licenses needed to sell dairy products.
Dairy Promotion Council: Regulations related to the Vermont Dairy Promotion Council and milk assessments.
Sub-Agency 022 - LIVESTOCK DIVISION:
Animal Health and Disease Control: Regulations for the control and eradication of animal diseases (e.g., rabies control, testing requirements for certain animals).
Livestock Care and Welfare: Standards for the humane treatment and care of livestock.
Import/Export of Animals: Rules governing the movement of animals into and out of Vermont.
Sub-Agency 023 - MEAT INSPECTION DIVISION:
Meat and Poultry Inspection: Regulations for the inspection of meat and poultry products to ensure they are wholesome and safe for consumption, often aligning with federal USDA standards for state-inspected facilities.
Labeling Requirements: Rules for the labeling of meat and poultry products.
Farmers' Market Meat Sales: Specific rules for selling meat and poultry at farmers' markets, including licensing and inspection requirements.
IV. Consumer Protection and Assurance:
Sub-Agency 030 - CONSUMER ASSURANCE SECTION:
Weights and Measures: Regulations for weighing and measuring devices used in trade, ensuring accuracy in commercial transactions (e.g., scales at retail stores, gas pumps). This often incorporates National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) handbooks.
Package Weights and Labeling: Rules for the accurate labeling of packaged goods, including net weight declarations.
Unit Pricing: Regulations requiring retailers to display unit prices for certain products.
Egg Sales: Rules relating to the grading, labeling, and sale of eggs in Vermont.
Device Inspections: Procedures for inspecting and certifying weighing and measuring devices.
V. Plant Industry and Environmental Stewardship:
Sub-Agency 031 - PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION:
Pesticide Control: Regulations governing the sale, use, and application of pesticides, including licensing for applicators, reporting requirements, and environmental protection measures.
Seed Certification: Rules for the certification of seeds to ensure quality and genetic purity.
Nursery Inspection: Regulations for inspecting nurseries to control plant diseases and pests.
Quarantine Regulations: Rules imposing quarantines on plants or plant products to prevent the spread of invasive species or diseases (e.g., Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Gypsy Moth, Pine Shoot Beetle, Noxious Weeds).
Apiary Inspection: Regulations for the inspection of beehives to control bee diseases.
Fertilizer and Lime Regulations: Rules for the labeling, sale, and quality of fertilizers and agricultural lime.
American Ginseng: Regulations for the collection, cultivation, and sale of American Ginseng.
Vermont Hemp Rules: Regulations governing the cultivation, processing, and sale of hemp and hemp products in Vermont.
Environmental Stewardship Programs: The VAAFM also oversees critical environmental programs that may have specific rules, such as:
Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs): These are mandatory practices for all farms to reduce agricultural impacts on water quality, covering erosion control, nutrient management, manure storage, buffer zones, and livestock exclusion from surface water.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) Program: A voluntary program offering technical and financial assistance to farmers for on-farm improvements to abate non-point source agricultural waste discharges.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP): A voluntary program that compensates landowners for establishing vegetative buffers to improve water quality.
VI. Other Boards/Committees:
Sub-Agency 090 - MILK CONTROL BOARD: This board typically handles specific economic or regulatory aspects of milk pricing and distribution that might fall outside the general dairy division.
Sub-Agency 100 - APPLE MARKETING BOARD: Focuses on rules related to the marketing and promotion of Vermont apples.
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