(a) A purchaser of seed cannot maintain a civil action against the seller for failure of the seed to produce or perform (i) as represented by a label attached to the seed or furnished under the Illinois Seed Law, (ii) as represented by warranty, or (iii) because of negligence, unless the buyer has first submitted the claim to arbitration.
     (b) Any applicable period of limitation with respect to a claim subject to arbitration is tolled for the period beginning on the date the arbitration complaint is filed and the filing fee paid and ending on the date the findings of the administrative hearing officer are rendered.