A. When the Commissioner finds seed potatoes sold or offered for sale in violation of this article or any regulation hereunder, he may issue a "stop sale" order to the owner or custodian. It is unlawful for anyone to sell any seed potatoes under a "stop sale" order until the Commissioner has evidence that such potatoes will (i) not be used for propagation purposes or (ii) be used outside the Commonwealth. When the Commissioner has such evidence, he shall issue a notice releasing potatoes from the "stop sale" order.
B. Any shipment of seed potatoes in violation of this article shall be subject to seizure on complaint of the Commissioner to the appropriate court in the county or city where the seed potatoes are located. If the court finds the seed potatoes to be in violation and orders condemnation, the owner shall be permitted to post a bond for double the amount of the value of the seed potatoes. Then the owner shall have 10 days from the date of the order of condemnation to denature, destroy, or process the potatoes for other than propagation purposes. If the owner fails to post the bond required or act within the time limit set forth in this subsection, then the court shall order that the seed potatoes be denatured, destroyed, or processed for other than propagation purposes.
Code 1950, § 3-228.8; 1950, p. 1030; 1966, cc. 686, 702, § 3.1-292; 1978, c. 540; 1980, c. 308; 2008, c. 860, § 3.2-4108; 2012, cc. 803, 835.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food
§ 3.2-1801. Potato Board; composition and appointment of members
§ 3.2-1803. Potato Board meetings and quorum
§ 3.2-1804. Powers and duties of the Potato Board
§ 3.2-1806. Management of referenda; Commissioner's duties; notice
§ 3.2-1807. Question to be printed on ballots
§ 3.2-1808. Persons eligible to vote
§ 3.2-1809. Referenda results; action of Governor
§ 3.2-1810. Virginia Potato Fund established
§ 3.2-1811. Collection and disposition of tax by handler; reports
§ 3.2-1812. Collection of delinquent tax; civil action
§ 3.2-1813. Records to be kept by handlers
§ 3.2-1814. Falsification of records; misdemeanor
§ 3.2-1816. Standards required of seed potatoes
§ 3.2-1818. Inspection of potatoes; right of entry; fees; records required
§ 3.2-1819. "Stop sale" order; seizure; condemnation
§ 3.2-1820. Commissioner may permit sale of substandard potatoes and experimental varieties