[Petitions; orders; effect.]

The regents of the agricultural college of New Mexico [New Mexico state university] are hereby authorized, empowered and directed when petitioned by one or more growers or prospective growers of any crop intended for the production of pure strains of seed and which crop is subject to contamination by cross-pollination or otherwise mixing so as to cause the seed produced by the crop to be impure, to designate, define and delimit a zone or area within which only the one strain, variety or species may be grown, and if deemed advisable and necessary to protect the grower or growers of such pure strains of seed, the said regents are further authorized, empowered and directed to establish such neutral zones on both sides of the aforesaid designated zone as in the judgment of the said regents may be necessary for the protection of the growers of pure strains of seed; the said regents shall have authority to promulgate orders which shall have the effect of law preventing the growing of any strain, variety or species of seed within the designated zone or within neutral zones which in the judgment of the said regents may be necessary for the protection of said growers of pure seeds and for the protection of said pure strains of seed, and such rules and regulation [regulations] when enacted by the said regents and promulgated or given publicity shall have the full force and effect of the provisions of this act [76-10-1 to 76-10-10 NMSA 1978]; provided that the petition of growers or prospective growers when presented to the regents shall request protection for the growing of a specific strain or variety and that the zone or neutral zones established under authority of this act by the said regents shall in no way interfere with the growing of any crop, or crops, or plants which do not in any way endanger the growing of the pure strains of seeds which petitioners propose to grow and for the growing of which petitioners seek protection.