Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture
Section 17.4985 — Transportation Of Aquatic Life.

Subdivision 1. Requirements for importation, transportation within the state, or stocking of fish. Except as provided in subdivision 3, a licensee may not import aquatic life into the state, transport aquatic life within the state, or stock waters of the state with aquatic life without first obtaining a bill of lading or transportation permit from the commissioner, with disease certification, if applicable.
Subd. 2. Bill of lading. (a) A state-issued bill of lading is required for:
(1) intrastate transportation of aquatic life other than salmonids, catfish, or species on the VHS-susceptible-species list between licensed private fish hatcheries, aquatic farms, or aquarium facilities licensed for the species being transported if the aquatic life is being transported into a watershed where it is not currently present, if walleyes whose original source is south of marked State Highway 210 are being transported to a facility north of marked State Highway 210, or if the original source of the aquatic life is outside Minnesota and contiguous states; and
(2) stocking waters other than public waters with aquatic life other than salmonids, catfish, or species on the VHS-susceptible-species list.
(b) When aquatic life is transported under paragraph (a), a copy of the bill of lading must be submitted to the regional fisheries manager at least 72 hours before the transportation.
(c) For transportation and stocking of waters that are not public waters:
(1) a bill of lading must be submitted to the regional fisheries manager 72 hours before transporting fish for stocking;
(2) a bill of lading must be submitted to the regional fisheries manager within five days after stocking if the waters to be stocked are confirmed by telecopy or telephone prior to stocking by the regional fisheries office not to be public waters; or
(3) a completed bill of lading may be submitted to the regional fisheries office by telecopy prior to transporting fish for stocking. Confirmation that the waters to be stocked are not public waters may be made by returning the bill of lading by telecopy or in writing, in which cases additional copies need not be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources.
(d) Bill of lading forms may only be issued by the Department of Natural Resources in St. Paul, and new bill of lading forms may not be issued until all previously issued forms have been returned.
Subd. 3. Exemptions for transportation permits and bills of lading. (a) A state-issued bill of lading or transportation permit is not required by an aquatic farm licensee for importing animals not on the VHS-susceptible-species list, transporting animals not on the VHS-susceptible-species list, or exporting the following:
(1) minnows taken under an aquatic farm license in this state and transported intrastate;
(2) aquarium or ornamental fish including goldfish and tropical, subtropical, and saltwater species that cannot survive in the waters of the state, which may be imported or transported if accompanied by shipping documents;
(3) fish or fish eggs that have been processed for use as food, bait, or other purposes unrelated to fish propagation;
(4) live fish from a licensed aquatic farm, which may be transported directly to an outlet for processing or for other food purposes if accompanied by shipping documents;
(5) fish being exported if accompanied by shipping documents;
(6) sucker eggs, sucker fry, or fathead minnows transported intrastate for bait propagation or feeding of cultural aquatic life, except that if either species becomes listed on the VHS-susceptible-species list, then a transportation permit is required;
(7) species of fish that are found within the state used in connection with public shows, exhibits, demonstrations, or fishing pools for periods not exceeding 14 days;
(8) fish being transported through the state if accompanied by shipping documents; or
(9) intrastate transportation of aquatic life between or within licensed private fish hatcheries, aquatic farms, or aquarium facilities licensed for the species being transported, except where required in subdivision 2 and except that salmonids, catfish, or species on the VHS-susceptible-species list may only be transferred or transported intrastate without a transportation permit if they had no record of bacterial kidney disease or viral hemorrhagic septicemia at the time they were imported into the state and if they have had a fish health inspection within the preceding year that has shown no certifiable diseases to be present.
Aquatic life being transferred between licensed private fish hatcheries, aquatic farms, or aquarium facilities must be accompanied by shipping documents and salmonids, catfish, or species on the VHS-susceptible-species list being transferred or transported intrastate without a transportation permit must be accompanied by a copy of their most recent fish health inspection.
(b) Shipping documents required under paragraph (a) must show the place of origin, owner or consignee, destination, number, and species.
Subd. 4. Transportation permit requirements. A transportation permit is required for all importation, transportation, or stocking of private aquatic life not covered by subdivision 2 or exempted in subdivision 3. A transportation permit may be used for multiple shipments within the 30-day term for the permit if the source and the destination remains the same. Transportation permits, which may authorize importation or stocking of public waters, may be issued through Department of Natural Resources regional offices or the St. Paul office, and must be obtained prior to shipment.
Subd. 5. Permit application. An application for a transportation permit must be made on forms provided by the commissioner. An incomplete application must be rejected. An application for a transportation permit for salmonids, catfish, or species on the VHS-susceptible-species list; their eggs; or their sperm must be accompanied by certification that the source of the eggs or sperm are free of certifiable diseases, except that eggs with enteric redmouth, whirling disease, or furunculosis may be imported, transported, or stocked following treatment approved by the commissioner, and fish with bacterial kidney disease or viral hemorrhagic septicemia may be imported, transported, or stocked into areas where the disease has been identified as being present. A copy of the transportation permit showing the date of certification inspection must accompany the shipment of fish while in transit and must be available for inspection by the commissioner. By 14 days after a completed application is received, the commissioner must approve or deny the importation permits as provided in this section.
Subd. 6. Vehicle identification. (a) A vehicle used by a licensee for transporting aquatic life must be identified with the licensee's name and town of residence as it appears on the license and the license number.
(b) A vehicle used by a licensee must have identification displayed so that it is readily visible from either side of the vehicle in letters and numbers not less than 2-1/2 inches high and with a three-eighths inch wide stroke. Identification may be permanently affixed to vehicles or displayed on removable plates or placards placed on opposite doors of the vehicle or on the tanks carried on the vehicle.
(c) An application to license a vehicle for minnow transport or export or for use as a fish vendor that is received by the commissioner is a temporary license until it is approved or denied.
1992 c 566 s 5; 1993 c 226 s 6,7; 1996 c 410 s 10,11; 2008 c 307 s 1-3; 1Sp2021 c 6 art 2 s 8-10

Structure Minnesota Statutes

Minnesota Statutes

Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture

Chapter 17 — Department Of Agriculture

Section 17.01 — Creation Of Department; Commissioner; Deputy.

Section 17.013 — Delegations Of Powers To Deputy Commissioner.

Section 17.03 — Powers And Duties Of Commissioner.

Section 17.035 — Venison Distribution And Reimbursement.

Section 17.039 — Ethical Guidelines For Farm Advocates.

Section 17.04 — Enforcement Of Food Laws.

Section 17.041 — Agricultural Emergency Account; Appropriation.

Section 17.055 — Emerging Farmers.

Section 17.101 — Promotional Activities.

Section 17.1015 — Promotional Expenditures.

Section 17.1016 — Cooperative Grants.

Section 17.1017 — Good Food Access Program.

Section 17.1018 — Good Food Access Program Advisory Committee.

Section 17.102 — Minnesota Grown Label.

Section 17.107 — Farm Equipment Safety And Maintenance Program For Youth.

Section 17.114 — Sustainable Agriculture.

Section 17.116 — Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grants.

Section 17.117 — Agriculture Best Management Practices Loan Program.

Section 17.118 — Livestock Investment Grant Program.

Section 17.1195 — Farm Safety Grant And Outreach Programs.

Section 17.133 — Farm Down Payment Assistance Grants.

Section 17.135 — Farm Disposal Of Solid Waste.

Section 17.345 — Not Determinative For Property Classification.

Section 17.351 — Definitions.

Section 17.352 — Agricultural Products And Pursuits.

Section 17.353 — Fur Farmer Registration.

Section 17.354 — Application.

Section 17.41 — Grain Defined.

Section 17.445 — Inspections And Services; Fees.

Section 17.452 — Farm-raised Cervidae.

Section 17.453 — Definitions.

Section 17.454 — Ratitae.

Section 17.455 — Definitions.

Section 17.456 — Llama.

Section 17.457 — Restricted Species.

Section 17.458 — Agroforestry.

Section 17.459 — Horses.

Section 17.46 — Short Title.

Section 17.47 — Definitions.

Section 17.49 — Aquaculture Program And Promotion.

Section 17.491 — Aquaculture Is Agricultural Pursuit.

Section 17.494 — Aquaculture Permits; Rules.

Section 17.495 — Appeal Procedures.

Section 17.496 — Quarantine Facility; Rules.

Section 17.497 — Exotic Species Importation; Rules.

Section 17.498 — Rules; Financial Assurance.

Section 17.4981 — General Conditions For Regulation Of Aquatic Farms.

Section 17.4982 — Definitions.

Section 17.4983 — Aquatic Farm Operations.

Section 17.4984 — Aquatic Farm License.

Section 17.4985 — Transportation Of Aquatic Life.

Section 17.4986 — Importation Of Aquatic Life.

Section 17.4987 — Stocking Private Aquatic Life.

Section 17.4988 — License And Inspection Fees.

Section 17.4989 — Fish Sample Collecting.

Section 17.499 — Transportation Or Importation Of Saltwater Aquatic Life; Quarantine Requirement.

Section 17.4991 — Disease Transmission.

Section 17.4992 — Game Fish.

Section 17.4993 — Minnows.

Section 17.4994 — Sucker Eggs.

Section 17.4995 — Receipts To The Game And Fish Fund.

Section 17.4996 — White Earth Indian Reservation.

Section 17.4997 — Rules.

Section 17.4998 — Violations; Penalty.

Section 17.4999 — Storage, Handling, And Disposal Of Fish Manure.

Section 17.50 — Policy.

Section 17.51 — Citation; Agricultural Commodities Promotion Act.

Section 17.52 — Purpose.

Section 17.53 — Definitions.

Section 17.54 — Councils.

Section 17.56 — Council To Formulate And Submit Promotional Order.

Section 17.57 — Additional Powers And Duties Of Council.

Section 17.58 — Powers And Duties Of Commissioner.

Section 17.59 — Fees To Defray Expenses.

Section 17.60 — Compensation And Expenses.

Section 17.61 — Legal Counsel.

Section 17.62 — Council Records.

Section 17.63 — Refund Of Fees.

Section 17.64 — Termination Of Order.

Section 17.66 — Permitted Activities.

Section 17.67 — Penalty For Violations.

Section 17.69 — Nonliability Of State.

Section 17.691 — Citation.

Section 17.692 — Declaration Of Policy.

Section 17.693 — Definitions.

Section 17.694 — Accreditation.

Section 17.695 — Marketing And Bargaining Committee.

Section 17.696 — Unfair Practices Of Handlers And Associations.

Section 17.697 — Informational Exchanges; Dispute Resolution.

Section 17.698 — Factors To Be Considered In Mediation And Arbitration.

Section 17.70 — Violation Procedure.

Section 17.701 — Rules.

Section 17.702 — Negotiation Classes Required.

Section 17.710 — Agricultural Production Contracts.

Section 17.80 — State Agricultural Land Preservation And Conservation Policy.

Section 17.81 — Definitions.

Section 17.82 — Prohibited Agency Action.

Section 17.84 — Duties Of Commissioner.

Section 17.844 — Livestock Production Policy.

Section 17.85 — Laboratory Services.

Section 17.86 — Urban Forest Promotion And Development.

Section 17.861 — Replacement Of Mercury Manometers.

Section 17.90 — Definitions.

Section 17.91 — Required Language.

Section 17.92 — Recapture Of Capital Investment Required By An Agricultural Contract.

Section 17.93 — Parent Company Responsibility For Contracts Of Subsidiaries.

Section 17.94 — Implied Promise Of Good Faith.

Section 17.941 — Producer's Right To Cancel.

Section 17.942 — Cover Sheet Requirements.

Section 17.943 — Contract Format.

Section 17.944 — Review By Commissioner.

Section 17.9441 — Limits On Remedies.

Section 17.9442 — Applicability Of Contract Requirements.

Section 17.9443 — Waiver Of Contract Provisions Is Void.

Section 17.945 — Rules.

Section 17.95 — Department Of Agriculture Ombudsman.

Section 17.97 — Agricultural Input Prepayments.

Section 17.98 — Dairy Marketing Contracts Excepted.

Section 17.982 — Criminal And Administrative Penalties.

Section 17.983 — Administrative Penalties And Enforcement.

Section 17.984 — Investigation.

Section 17.985 — Passing On The Farm Center.

Section 17.986 — Entry Into Farm Animal Facilities.

Section 17.9891 — Purpose.

Section 17.9892 — Definitions.

Section 17.9893 — Certification Instrument.

Section 17.9894 — Certifying Agent License.

Section 17.9895 — Duties Of A Certifying Agent.

Section 17.9896 — Certification Procedures.

Section 17.9897 — Certification Certainty.

Section 17.9898 — Audits.

Section 17.9899 — Data.

Section 17.991 — Rulemaking.

Section 17.992 — Reports.

Section 17.993 — Financial Assistance.