1. (1) (a) Each distributor of commercial feed must annually obtain a master registration before her or his brands are distributed in this state. The department shall furnish the registration forms requiring the distributor to state that the distributor will comply with all provisions of this chapter and applicable rules. The registration form shall identify the manufacturer's or guarantor's name and place of business and the location of each manufacturing facility in the state and shall be signed by the owner; by a partner, if a partnership; or by an authorized officer or agent, if a corporation. All registrations expire on June 30 of each year.

2. (b) The registration form shall be accompanied by a fee that shall be based on tons of feed distributed in this state during the previous year. If a distributor has been in business less than 1 year, the tonnage shall be estimated by the distributor for the first year and based on actual tonnage thereafter. These fees shall be as follows:

   SALES IN TONS

   FEE

   Zero, up to and including 25 ....... $25

   More than 25, up to and including 50 ....... $50

   More than 50, up to and including 100 ....... $100

   More than 100, up to and including 300 ....... $300

   More than 300, up to and including 600 ....... $500

   More than 600, up to and including 1,000 ....... $750

   More than 1,000, up to and including 2,000 ....... $1,000

   More than 2,000, up to and including 5,000 ....... $1,500

   More than 5,000 ....... $2,500

3. (c) Registration shall be conditioned on the distributor's compliance with all provisions of this chapter and rules thereof, including:

   1. Submitting samples of manufactured feed for testing by laboratories that have been certified by the department or obtaining an exemption from the certified laboratory testing requirement, as provided by this chapter and rules thereof.

   2. Maintaining a bookkeeping system and records that will allow the department to verify the accuracy of the reported tonnage.

   3. Allowing the department to examine pertinent records at reasonable times.

4. (d) The department shall mail a copy of the master registration to the registrant to signify that administrative requirements have been met.
5. (2) Failure of any distributor to comply with registration shall be considered prima facie evidence of an attempt to violate this chapter, and the department shall have full authority to assess penalties where violations are found for any commercial feed or feedstuff distributed in the state prior to registration.
6. (3) The department may refuse, suspend, or cancel the master registration of any distributor or registrant who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter.

History.--s. 4, ch. 29755, 1955; s. 3, ch. 61-440; ss. 2, 3, ch. 69-62; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 6, ch. 78-95; s. 2, ch. 86-112; s. 1, ch. 91-178; s. 33, ch. 92-143; ss. 3, 6, 7, ch. 93-90; ss. 3, 16, ch. 94-282; s. 915, ch. 97-103.