Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 2 - AGRICULTURE (§§ 2-1-101 — 2-40-1305) › Subtitle 2 - AGRONOMY (§§ 2-15-101 — 2-25-106) › Chapter 16 - PLANT DISEASE AND PEST CONTROL (§§ 2-16-101 — 2-16-909) › Subchapter 4 - PESTICIDE CONTROL (§§ 2-16-401 — 2-16-419) › Section 2-16-412 - Enforcement

(a)
(1)
The sampling and examination of pesticides or devices shall be made by the State Plant Board for the purpose of determining whether they comply with the requirements of this subchapter.
(2)
The board is authorized to enter any distributor's premises, including any vehicle of transport, at all reasonable times in order to have access to pesticides or devices packaged or labeled for distribution and to collect samples of the contents, containers, or labeling for the pesticides or devices.
(3)
If an analysis is made of the samples, a copy of the results of the analysis shall be furnished promptly to the owner, operator, or agent in charge.
(4)
If it appears from the examination that a pesticide or device fails to comply with the provisions of this subchapter or rules adopted hereunder and the board contemplates instituting criminal proceedings against any person, the board shall cause appropriate notice to be given to that person.
(5)
Any person so notified shall be given an opportunity within a reasonable time to present his or her views, either orally or in writing, with regard to the contemplated proceedings.
(6)
If thereafter, in the opinion of the board, it appears that the provisions of this subchapter or rules adopted hereunder have been violated by the person, the board shall refer a copy of the results of the analysis or the examination of the pesticide or device to the prosecuting attorney for the county in which the violation occurred.
(b)
(1)
For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the board may enter upon any public or private premises at reasonable times in order to inspect storage or disposal areas or sample pesticides being applied or to be applied.
(2)
Should the board be denied access to any premises or other areas where access was sought for the purposes set forth in this subchapter, it may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for a search warrant authorizing access to those premises or other areas for the purposes set forth in this subchapter. The court may, upon such application, issue the search warrant for the purposes requested.
(c)
The board, with or without the aid and advice of the prosecuting attorney, is charged with the duty of enforcing the requirements of this subchapter and any rules issued thereunder. In the event a prosecuting attorney refuses to act on behalf of the board, the Attorney General may so act.
(d)
The board is authorized to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for, and the court upon hearing and for cause shown may grant, a temporary or permanent injunction. This injunction shall restrain any person from violating any provisions of this subchapter or of the rules made under authority of this subchapter and shall be without bond.
(e)
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as requiring the board to report minor violations of this subchapter for prosecution or for the institution of condemnation proceedings when it believes that the public interest will be served best by a suitable notice of warning in writing.
Acts 1975, No. 410, § 12; A.S.A. 1947, § 77-238.