(a) Any person(s) who has in their possession plants, plant materials or nursery stock that is uncertified, uninspected, and/or falsely or misleadingly labeled or advertised possesses an illegal regulated commodity. The aforementioned plants shall be considered infested or infected with dangerously injurious plant pests and therefore deemed a public nuisance. Public nuisances shall be abated as prescribed in § 1304 of this title. If the Secretary determines that the provisions of this section have been violated, he or she shall order and direct that the nuisance be abated by the destruction of all of the plants in question, unless the aforementioned person(s)(as applicable):

(1) Submits to the nursery stock certification process.

(2) Provides proper phytosanitary pre-clearance, phytosanitary certification or nursery stock certification.

(3) Agrees to have the plants, plant materials or nursery stock returned to the consignor.

(4) Provides proper documentation, certification or compliance to support advertising claims.

The abatement of this public nuisance shall be at the expense of the aforementioned person(s) and shall be without any form of compensation.

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(b) Under this chapter, any person(s) who wilfully or knowingly:

(1) Misrepresents or falsifies information on a nursery industry license application;

(2) Fails to obtain a nursery industry license;

(3) Fails to renew a nursery industry license, but continues business operations;

(4) Fails to display their nursery industry license;

(5) Falsely displays a nursery industry license;

(6) Misrepresents or falsifies their nursery industry license status;

(7) Misrepresents or falsifies information on a nursery stock certificate;

(8) Fails to submit to a nursery inspection;

(9) Fails to provide the cooperation necessary to conduct a successful nursery inspection;

(10) Fails to satisfactorily pass the nursery inspection, but continues business operations;

(11) Possesses uncertified plants, plant materials or nursery stock;

(12) Possesses an illegal regulated commodity;

(13) Defies a Department hold order;

(14) Violates a quarantine imposed by the Department;

(15) Fails to obtain nursery stock certification;

(16) Fails to obtain phytosanitary certification;

(17) Fails to obtain phytosanitary pre-clearance;

(18) Creates or possesses a public nuisance;

(19) Misrepresents or falsifies information to obtain nursery stock certification, phytosanitary certification or phytosanitary pre-clearance;

(20) Defaces, mutilates or destroys a nursery stock certificate, phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary pre-clearance certificate or other Department mark;

(21) Fails to notify the Department of an uncertified shipment of plant, plant materials or nursery stock;

(22) Transports uncertified plants, plant materials or nursery stock;

(23) Misrepresents or falsifies plant advertisement or label information; or

(24) Fails to comply with the nursery industry license advertising requirements;

shall be subject to the assessment of a civil penalty, the confiscation or destruction of any and all plants, plant materials or nursery stock found on the premises or contained in the shipment in question, and/or the suspension or revocation of their current nursery industry license or any future operation privileges granted under this chapter.

70 Del. Laws, c. 332, § ?1;