§1602. Separability

The institution of any one of the proceedings provided for in sections 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 subsections 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.

(Aug. 9, 1939, ch. 615, title IV, §412, 53 Stat. 1288 ; July 9, 1956, ch. 520, §3, 70 Stat. 508 .)

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.