This section states the state’s policy and purposes for regulating commodity marketing to reduce waste and support producers.
§3503. Policy, purposes A. It is hereby declared that the disorderly marketing of commodities in this state; improper preparation for market and lack of uniform grading and classification of commodities; unfair methods of competition in the marketing of commodities; and the inability of individual producers to maintain present markets or to develop new or larger markets for Louisiana grown commodities, results in an unreasonable and unnecessary economic waste of the agricultural wealth of this state. B. Such conditions and the accompanying waste jeopardize the future continued production of adequate supplies of food, fiber, and other products of the farm and of the soil for the people of this and other states, and prevent producers from obtaining a fair return from their investment. C. Unless such conditions are remedied, the purchasing power of such producers will remain low in relation to that of persons engaged in other gainful occupations within the state. Producers are thereby prevented from maintaining a proper standard of living and from contributing their fair share to the support of the necessary governmental functions, thus tending to increase unfairly the tax burdens of other citizens of this state. D. These conditions vitally concern the health and general welfare of the people of this state. It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state to aid producers in preventing economic waste in the marketing of their commodities, to develop more efficient and equitable methods in the marketing of commodities and to aid producers in restoring and maintaining their purchasing power at a more adequate, equitable, and reasonable level. E. The marketing of commodities within this state is hereby declared to be affected with a public interest. The provisions of this Chapter are enacted for the purpose of protecting the health and general welfare of the people of this state. F. The purposes of this Chapter are to do the following: (1) Enable producers of this state, with the aid of the state, more effectively to market their commodities. (2) Establish orderly marketing of commodities. (3) Provide for uniform grading and proper preparation of commodities for market. (4) Provide methods and means for the maintenance of present markets, or for the development of new or larger markets, for commodities which are grown within this state or for the prevention, modification, or elimination of trade barriers which obstruct the free flow of such commodities to market. (5) Eliminate or reduce economic waste in the marketing commodities. (6) Restore and maintain adequate purchasing power for the producers of this state. Added by Acts 1978, No. 500, §1; Acts 2009, No. 24, §8J, eff. June 12, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 861, §3.