(a) With the prior approval of the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State Department of Public Health, the department may reproduce or distribute biological control organisms that are not detrimental to the public health and safety that are known to be useful in reducing or preventing plant or animal damage due to pests or diseases.

(b) The department shall not engage in the production of beneficial organisms when those organisms are available in sufficient amounts for purchase from commercial sources.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 374, Sec. 1. (AB 862) Effective January 1, 2016.)