OAR 603-052-0360: Temporary rule language in effect until 09/29/2026. Control Area: Onion Maggot — Malheur County

(1) A control area is established within the boundaries of Malheur County for the protection of the onion industry by the eradication or control of the insect pest known as the onion maggot. This control area order is based on IPM principles first recognized and used by Malheur County growers in 1957. (2) The following methods of eradication and control are declared to be the proper methods used in this control area order: (a) All cull or waste onions in Malheur County shall be disposed of by a method approved by this control order prior to March 15 each year; for onions sorted after that date until July 1, the resulting cull and waste onions shall be disposed of within one week after such sorting; (b) Disposal of cull or waste onions shall be accomplished only as set forth below: (A) Disposal by covering in a dump site approved by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Culls and onion debris shall be dumped and covered by at least 12 inches of onion-free soil by March 15 each year; (B) Disposal by animal feeding. Culls and onion debris shall be completely removed from feeding areas by March 15 and buried under 12 inches of onion-free soil. Onions tramped into the soil so they cannot be removed shall be plowed to a depth of 12 inches; (C) Disposal by chopping or shredding. Chopped or shredded onion debris that is incapable of sprouting may be returned to the field at an appropriate agronomic rate and plowed to a depth where no onion parts are exposed on the surface; (D) Composting. All onion debris shall be incorporated into the compost bed and completely covered by 12 inches of onion-free soil; (E) Disposal of residue in onion producing fields. Commercial onion fields where sort out bulbs are left at harvest shall be disked to destroy the bulbs and shall be plowed to a depth of at least 12 inches by March 15 each year. Seed bulbs shall be disposed of in the same manner following the last harvest. The owner of the field is ultimately responsible for compliance with this rule; (F) If inclement weather prevents plowing, the culls will be treated with an EPA-labeled insecticide applied in accordance with label instructions at prescribed intervals until proper disposal occurs.