A person is not subject to the penalties which are prescribed by this chapter in any of the following cases:

(a) For selling in this state any agricultural or vegetable seed which is incorrectly labeled or represented as to kind, variety, or type, which seed cannot be identified by examination of it, unless he has failed to obtain an invoice or grower’s declaration which gives the commonly accepted name of the kind, kind and variety, or kind and type, and to take such other precautions as may be necessary to insure the identity to be that which is stated.

(b) As to any matter which is required by Article 8 (commencing with Section 52451) of this chapter, for selling such seed in original unopened sealed packages which are fully labeled by another dealer, unless he has failed to have such seed retested and relabeled as to the percentage of germination within the period which is prescribed by Section 52481, or unless he has failed to correct the label after notice that such label has been found to be incorrect.

(c) For shipping, delivering, transporting, or selling within this state any agricultural or vegetable seed which has a false labeling as to percentage of germination or hard seeds, unless he has first been given an opportunity by the director to be heard. This exemption does not, however, relieve any person from the obligation, upon order of an enforcement official, to stop further sale of any seed which is found to be incorrectly labeled as to germination, nor does it exempt such seed from seizure pursuant to this chapter.

(Amended by Stats. 1967, Ch. 227.)