§ 164-a. Shipment of live pests. No person, shall sell, barter, offer for sale, or move, transport, deliver, ship, or offer for shipment, into or within this state any living insects in any state of their development, or noxious weeds, living fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses or other living plant parasitic organisms without first obtaining a permit from the commissioner. Such permit shall be issued only after the commissioner has determined that the insects, noxious weeds or living bacteria, fungi, nematodes, viruses or other plant parasitic organisms in question are not injurious to plants or plant products, if not already present in the state, or have not been found to be seriously injurious to warrant their being refused entrance or movement, if known to be already established within the borders of the state; provided, that the commissioner may at his discretion exempt the sale and transportation of specific insects, noxious weeds, fungi, bacteria, and other plant parasitic organisms from the provisions of this section if such sale and transportation is not considered harmful to the health and welfare of the people of the state, or for scientific purposes under specified safeguards determined by the commissioner.