Shellfish processors; regulation.

(1) The department may:

(a) Adopt by rule regulations, specifications, training requirements, and codes relating to sanitary practices for catching, cultivating, handling, processing, packaging, preserving, canning, smoking, and storing oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and crabs.

(b) License shellfish processors who handle oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and crabs when such activities relate to quality control, sanitary, and public health practices pursuant to this section and chapter 500.

(c) License or certify, for a fee determined by rule, facilities used for processing oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and crabs, and may levy an administrative fine in the Class I category pursuant to s. 570.971 for each violation, for each day the violation exists, or suspend or revoke such licenses or certificates upon satisfactory evidence of a violation of rules adopted pursuant to this section, and seize and destroy any adulterated or misbranded shellfish products as defined by rule.

(2) A shellfish processing plant certification license is required to operate any facility in which oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, or crabs are processed, including but not limited to: an oyster, clam, mussel, or scallop cannery; a shell stock dealership; an oyster, clam, mussel, or scallop shucking plant; an oyster, clam, mussel, or scallop repacking plant; an oyster, clam, mussel, or scallop controlled purification plant; or a crab or soft-shell crab processing or shedding plant.

(3) The department may suspend or revoke any shellfish processing plant certification license upon satisfactory evidence that the licensee has violated any regulation, specification, or code adopted under this section and may seize and destroy any shellfish product which is defined by rule to be an adulterated or misbranded shellfish product.

(4) Any license or certification authorized and issued under this chapter shall automatically expire on June 30 of each year.