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Tennessen Warning & Acknowledgement

By law, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is required to tell you that the information you provide will be used as part of an investigation into a possible violation of Minnesota law including MN statutes chapter 18B and or 18C and may result in enforcement by MDA. You are not legally required to provide us with the information; your participation in this matter is voluntary, but without it MDA may be unable to pursue your complaint or take enforcement action. The information you give us, including your name as a complainant, may be classified as private or nonpublic under Minnesota law. Private and confidential information will be available only to those individuals and entities that are legally authorized to access or receive it, including MDA employees and contractors that have a work-related reason to use the information. In certain circumstances, the information may also be provided to law enforcement, the Attorney General’s Office, Minnesota courts, or to other government entities if the investigation reveals a crime or a risk to human health or safety. Finally, the information may be released to the state or legislative auditors or to parties named in a valid subpoena or court order.

Please also note the following:

• Under state and federal law, this inspection must be allowed to occur. Interviews may be requested and conducted. Access to state or federally regulated products, persons with knowledge of agricultural chemical use, storage, handling, distribution, and to state or federal required records must be allowed. Photographs and copies of documents may be taken or obtained by the inspector. Portions of certain records (including information about individuals) are protected under state law.
• Please be advised that a person must not knowingly make or offer a false statement, record, or other information as part of an inspection or investigation. Providing false information to the MDA may result in a separate enforcement response.
• If this inspection or investigation is the result of a complaint to the MDA, under certain circumstances, a complainant's identity may be protected under State of Minnesota Law. The MDA cannot guarantee that a complainant's identity will be confidential under all circumstances.
• Any violation documented during this initial inspection, or a re-inspection may result in the issuance of an Enforcement Action even if the violation is corrected. An enforcement Action may include a financial penalty. The MDA may conduct a re-inspection at any time to determine compliance.