Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73not60
§1602 Separability
Title 7 › Chapter 37— SEEDS › Subchapter IV— GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 1602
Summary
Starting one of the actions listed in sections 1595, 1596, and 1599–1601 does not stop anyone from starting any of the others. But you cannot bring both actions under 1596(a) and 1596(b) for the same claim. The Secretary of Agriculture does not have to recommend criminal charges, civil fines, libel actions, cease-and-desist orders, or enforcement of those orders for minor violations if he believes a written notice or warning will protect the public interest.
Full Legal Text
Title 7, §1602
Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The institution of any one of the proceedings provided for in section 1595, 1596, 1599 to 1601 of this title shall not bar institution of any of the others, except that action shall not be instituted under both subsection 1596(a) and (b) of this title for the same cause of action. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to recommend prosecution, or institution of civil penalty proceedings, libel proceedings, cease-and-desist proceedings, or proceedings for the enforcement of a cease-and-desist order, for minor violations of this chapter or the rules and regulations made and promulgated thereunder whenever he believes that the public interest will be adequately served by suitable written notice or warning.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1956—Act July 9, 1956, inserted references to civil penalties as well as criminal penalties under section 1596 of this title.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1956 Amendment
Amendments
made by act
July 9, 1956, applicable only with respect to violations occurring after
July 9, 1956, see section 4 of act
July 9, 1956, set out as a note under section 1596 of this title.
Effective Date
See section 1610 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
7 U.S.C. § 1602
Title 7 — Agriculture
Last Updated
Apr 3, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60