2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 46 - Agriculture › Chapter 13 - Pesticide Control Act › Section 46-13-170. Inspection of premises; legal actions; "stop sale, use, or removal" orders.

(A) For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the Director or his designated agents may enter upon any public or private premises at reasonable times, by consent or by warrant in order to carry out any of the provisions of this chapter.
Before undertaking such inspection, the officers or employees must present to the owner, operator, or agent in charge appropriate credentials and a written statement as to the reason for the inspection, including a statement as to whether a violation of the law is suspected. If no violation is suspected an alternate and sufficient reason shall be given in writing. Each such inspection shall be commenced and completed with reasonable promptness. If the officer or employee obtains any samples, prior to leaving the premises, he shall give to the owner, operator, or agent in charge a receipt describing the samples obtained and, if requested, a portion of such sample equal in volume or weight to the portion retained. If an analysis is made of such samples, a copy of the results of such analysis shall be furnished promptly to the owner, operator, or agent in charge.
(B) For purposes of enforcing the provisions of this chapter and upon a showing to an officer or court of competent jurisdiction that there is reason to believe that the provisions of this chapter have been violated, officers or employees duly designated by the Director are empowered to obtain and to execute warrants authorizing:
(1) entry for the purpose of this section;
(2) inspection and reproduction of all records showing quantity, date of shipment, and the name of consignor and consignee of any pesticide or device found which is adulterated, misbranded, not registered (in the case of a pesticide) or otherwise in violation of this chapter and in the event of the inability of any person to produce records containing such information, all other records and information relating to such delivery, movement, or holding of the pesticide or device; and
(3) the seizure of any pesticide or device which is in violation of this chapter.
(C)(1) The examination of pesticides or devices shall be made in such place as the Director may designate for the purpose of determining from such examinations whether they comply with the requirements of this chapter. If it shall appear from any such examination that they fail to comply with the requirements of this chapter, the Director shall cause notice to be given to the person against whom criminal or civil proceedings are contemplated. Any person so notified shall be given an opportunity to present his views, either orally or in writing, with regard to such contemplated proceedings, and if in the opinion of the Director it appears that the provisions of this chapter have been violated by such person, then the Director shall certify the facts to the appropriate authorities, with a copy of the results of the analysis or the examination of such pesticide.
(2) The notice of contemplated proceedings and opportunity to present views set forth in this subsection are not prerequisites to the institution of any proceeding by the Director.
(3) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the director to institute proceedings for prosecution of minor violations of this chapter whenever he believes that the public interest will be adequately served by a suitable written notice of warning.
(D) When the Director has reasonable cause to believe a pesticide or device is being distributed, stored, transported, or used in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, or of any of the prescribed regulations under this chapter, he may issue and serve a written "stop sale, use, or removal" order upon the owner or custodian of any such pesticide or device. If the owner or custodian is not available for service of the order upon him, the Director may attach the order to the pesticide or device and notify the registrant. The pesticide or device shall not be sold, used, or removed until the provisions of this chapter have been complied with and the pesticide or device has been released in writing under conditions specified by the Director or the violation has been otherwise disposed of as provided in this chapter by a court of competent jurisdiction.
HISTORY: 1975 (59) 284.