(a) The provisions of this Part shall apply to all persons who, in wholesale commerce, engage in any aspect of shellfishing in the State of New York, including, but not limited to, the growing, harvesting, processing, handling, microbiological cleansing, packing, repacking, receiving, storing, possessing, transporting, distribution, shipping, reshipping and/or selling or offering for sale of shellfish.

(b) Failure to comply with the provisions of this Part or the conditions of any permit issued pursuant to this Part is a violation of this Part.

(c) Nothing contained in this Part shall be construed as relieving any person from complying with any applicable Federal, State or local law or rule or regulation.

(d) Nothing contained in this Part shall be construed as preventing the department from inspecting retailers and/or other nonpermit holders to insure compliance with applicable provisions of article 13 of the Environmental Conservation Law and this Part, when the department deems that such inspections may be necessary to assure that the public health, safety and welfare of the people of the State of New York are protected and the intent and purposes of article 13 of the Environmental Conservation Law and this Part will be carried out.

(e) No person engaged in any activity described in this Part shall purchase or receive shellfish from a person who has failed to obtain and maintain a valid and appropriate permit issued by the department or a similar valid permit issued by the shellfish sanitation control agency of the exporting state or foreign country. In order for such permit to be acceptable to the department, the shellfish sanitation control program of such agency of such state or foreign country shall have been endorsed and/or approved by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration.

(f) No person shall import into the State of New York shellfish for use as food for human consumption unless such shellfish have been grown, harvested, processed, stored, packed, repacked, shipped, reshipped, as appropriate, under sanitary conditions which are in substantial compliance with the provisions of this Part.