Chapter 576 — Chapter 576

When used in this chapter, the term:(1) “Advertisement” means all representations disseminated in any manner or by any means, other than by labeling, for the purpose of inducing, or which are likely to induce, directly or indirectly, the purchase of fertilizer.(2) “Best managemen…

(1) A company the name and address of which appears upon a label and that guarantees a fertilizer may not distribute that fertilizer to a nonlicensee until a license to distribute has been obtained by the company from the department upon payment of a $100 fee. All licenses shall …

(1) Any fertilizer distributed in this state in containers shall have placed on or affixed to the immediate and outside container a label setting forth in clearly legible and conspicuous form the following information:(a) The brand and grade.(b) The guaranteed analysis.(c) The na…

(1) Every licensee shall pay to the department an inspection fee in the amount of $1 per ton for fertilizer sold in the state, except raw ground phosphate rock, soft phosphate, colloidal phosphate, phosphatic clays and all other untreated phosphatic materials, gypsum, hydrated li…

(1) FINDINGS AND INTENT.—(a) The Legislature finds that:1. Nitrogen and phosphorus residues have been found in groundwater, surface water, and drinking water in various areas throughout this state at levels in excess of established water quality standards. The Legislature further…

(1) The department is authorized to enter any public or private premise or carrier during regular business hours in the performance of its duties relating to fertilizers and fertilizer business records. In the event that entry into the public or private premise or carrier is refu…

The department may adopt, by rule, procedures and methods which would require each in-state manufacturer of fertilizer to incorporate specified procedures designed to avoid coning during the loading of bulk mixed fertilizer into transport vehicles to reduce separation and segrega…

(1) A commercial fertilizer is deemed deficient if the analysis of any nutrient is below the guarantee by an amount exceeding the investigational allowances. The department shall adopt rules, which shall take effect on July 1, 2014, that establish the investigational allowances u…

The commercial value used in assessing penalties for any deficiency shall be determined by surveying the fertilizer industry in the state using annualized plant nutrient values contained in one or more generally recognized journals.

The department shall establish, by rule, a minimum plant nutrient content.

(1) Any irrigation system used for the application of fertilizer must be equipped with an antisiphon device adequate to protect against contamination of the water supply.(2) It is unlawful for any person to apply fertilizer through an irrigation system which is not equipped with …

The department may deny, suspend, or revoke any license issued by the department for any violation of this chapter, the rules adopted under this chapter, or any lawful order of the department.

(1) When fertilizer is being offered for sale in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the department may issue and enforce a stop-sale, stop-use, removal, or hold order to the owner or custodian of the fertilizer ordering it to be held at a designated place until c…

Any lot of fertilizer not in compliance with the provisions of this law shall be subject to seizure on complaint of the department to the circuit court in the county in which the fertilizer is located. In the event the court finds the fertilizer to be in violation of this law and…

(1) The department may file for penalties due for deficiencies in a court of competent jurisdiction upon 10 days’ notice after the 60 days’ payment period.(2) When penalties are due and unpaid by a nonresident licensee, dealer, or agent, the department may proceed by attachment a…

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to apply to sales or exchanges of fertilizers between importers, manufacturers, or licensees.

The following acts are prohibited:(1) The dissemination of any false advertisement or advertising matter with reference to the distribution or sale of fertilizer.(2) The refusal to permit entry or inspection or the taking of samples.(3) The removal or disposal of a detained or “s…

Whoever knowingly violates any of the provisions of this chapter by doing anything prohibited or by failing or refusing to do anything herein required to be done shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

In addition to the remedies provided in this chapter and notwithstanding the existence of any adequate remedy at law, the department is hereby authorized to make application for injunction to a circuit court and such court shall have jurisdiction upon hearing and for cause shown …

(1) This chapter and all rules adopted hereunder shall be administered and enforced by the department.(2) The department may adopt rules to implement, make specific, and interpret the provisions of this chapter, and specifically to determine the composition and uses of fertilizer…

This chapter shall be administered by the department.