Cotton

Cotton is one of the original and major agricultural commodities produced in Arizona. Cotton and by-products are safeguarded through the regulation of cotton products and harvesting equipment that are imported into the state that could harbor cotton pests, and by monitoring growers for compliance with crop termination requirements.

There are several pests and diseases that can have negative effects in the cotton production areas of Arizona. There are a couple of regulations in place to help safeguard these commodities.  A.A.C. R3-4-204 regulates cotton production areas in Arizona by mandating certain cultural practices.  A.A.C. R3-4-218 regulates the importation of unprocessed cotton products and used cotton harvesting equipment from cotton producing areas of the U.S. for the cotton boll weevil. The Arizona Crop Improvement Association assists the Division in certifying cotton seed products for export. Genetically modified cotton is regulated by USDA-APHIS.

On January 4, 2020, the amended rules A.A.C. R3-4-204 Cotton Pest Management: Interior, and A.A.C. R3-4-218 Boll Wevil Pest: Exterior Quarantine became effective.  The official rules will be published in the March 2020 issue of the Arizona Secretary of State's registry.  For the Departments interpretation of these two rules, follow the links above.