Before any violation of this chapter is reported by the Secretary of Agriculture to any United States attorney for institution of a criminal proceeding, the person against whom such proceeding is contemplated shall be given appropriate notice and an opportunity to prevent 1 his views, either orally or in writing, with regard to such contemplated proceeding.

(Aug. 9, 1939, ch. 615, title IV, §408, 53 Stat. 1286.)