Virginia Code Title 3.2. Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food § 3.2-4722. Complaint to Commissioner by consignor; Commissioner's action

A. When a consignor of farm products to a commission merchant files a complaint with the commission merchant within 90 days after date of sale, and has failed to obtain a satisfactory settlement of the complaint within 10 days after the filing of the complaint, a complaint setting forth the facts may be filed with the Commissioner, who shall undertake a settlement of the matter.

B. If the Commissioner is unable to settle the matter to the satisfaction of the parties involved, within a reasonable time, he shall, after giving the parties at least five days' notice as to time and place, proceed to hear evidence concerning the matter. The hearing shall occur in the city or town where the business of the commission merchant is located or where the transaction complained of occurred, or at the option of the parties, in such other place as they may mutually agree. The Commissioner shall either dismiss the complaint or enter an order against the commission merchant to afford the consignor relief. Any such order shall be complied with within the time specified by the Commissioner but shall not be less than five days.