Exemptions.

(1) The provisions of s. 578.13 shall not apply to any common carrier in respect to any seed transported or delivered for transportation in the ordinary course of its business as a carrier. Provided, that such carrier is not engaged in processing or merchandising seed subject to the provisions of this law.

(2) The provisions of ss. 578.09 and 578.13 do not apply to:

(a) Seed or grain not intended for sowing or planting purposes.

(b) Seed stored in, consigned to, or being transported to seed cleaning or processing establishments for cleaning or processing only. Any labeling or other representation which may be made with respect to the unclean seed is subject to this law.

(c) Seed under development or maintained exclusively for research purposes.

(3) If seeds cannot be identified by examination thereof, a person is not subject to the criminal penalties of this chapter for having sold or offered for sale seeds subject to this chapter which were incorrectly labeled or represented as to kind, species, and, if appropriate, subspecies, variety, type, or origin, elevation, and, if required, year of collection unless he or she has failed to obtain an invoice, genuine grower’s or tree seed collector’s declaration, or other labeling information and to take such other precautions as may be reasonable to ensure the identity of the seeds to be as stated by the grower. A genuine grower’s declaration of variety must affirm that the grower holds records of proof of identity concerning parent seed, such as invoice and labels.

(4) When seeds are sold from a duly labeled container and taken therefrom in the presence of the purchaser, the container in which such seeds are delivered to the purchaser will not be required to have a label or tag unless so requested by the purchaser. This, however, shall not relieve or exempt any seed dealer from any liability imposed by the Florida Seed Law.