(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 4-9a, on or before the fifteenth day of the month after the issuance of a market order the commissioner shall appoint an Apple Marketing Board consisting of six apple producers, a member of the general public and the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or his designee, who shall be a nonvoting member of the board. The members who are apple producers shall be appointed from nominations submitted by the Connecticut Pomological Society or any apple producer. Three of the apple producers shall be from the area west of the Connecticut River and three shall be from the area east of said river. The commissioner shall also appoint three alternate members of the commission, one from the area west of the Connecticut River, one from the area east of said river and one who is a member of the general public. Alternates may attend all meetings of the board. If a regular member of the board from an area is absent, the chairperson may designate the alternate from such area to act. The members shall serve terms of three years, provided of the members first appointed, two members, one from each district, shall serve for a term of one year; two members, one from each district shall serve for a term of two years, and two members, one from each district, shall serve for a term of three years. The alternates and the member representing the general public shall be appointed for terms of three years. Members of the board shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses in the performance of their duties. Such expenses shall be paid from money collected by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of section 22-54r. At its first meeting the board shall elect a chairperson and such other officers as it deems necessary. Four members who are apple producers and the member representing the general public shall constitute a quorum.
(b) The board shall: (1) Implement the market order with the commissioner's approval and on or before August fifteenth of each marketing season shall prepare and submit to the commissioner a budget to administer the order and the program created thereunder; (2) conduct marketing research beneficial to the apple industry in the state; (3) assist the commissioner in the collection of the assessment imposed pursuant to section 22-54r and (4) recommend revisions to the market order. The board shall prepare and, upon approval of the commissioner, conduct a publicity program to maintain and enhance existing apple markets and create new markets. Such program shall not refer to any particular brand or trade name or disparage the quality, value, sale or use of any other agricultural commodity. The board shall annually appoint an auditor to audit the funds collected pursuant to section 22-54r. The auditor, appointed pursuant to this subsection, shall submit a copy of the audit report to the Auditors of Public Accounts.
(c) Each apple producer shall file with the board, on forms provided by the board, information on the harvested crop of such producer, including the number of first sale units and the disposition of such units at fresh markets, cold storage or other destinations. The board shall provide the commissioner with such information as the commissioner deems necessary to fulfill the purposes of sections 22-54p to 22-54t, inclusive.
(P.A. 91-77, S. 5; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)
History: P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Economic Development with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 22 - Agriculture. Domestic Animals
Chapter 423 - Grading and Marketing of Farm Products
Section 22-27. - Establishment of standards. Market information.
Section 22-28. - Labels for standard grades.
Section 22-29. - Notice of establishment to be published.
Section 22-30. - Penalty for improper use of brand name.
Section 22-31. - Inspection. Certification.
Section 22-32. - Reports by persons engaged in wholesale marketing. Penalty.
Section 22-34. - Products sold under names designated by commissioner.
Section 22-37. - License for buying poultry. Bond.
Section 22-37a. - Connecticut Egg Council, Inc. Establishment of fund. Duties of commissioner.
Section 22-38a. - Promotion of Connecticut-Grown farm products. Regulations.
Section 22-38c. - Expand and grow Connecticut agriculture account.
Section 22-38d. - Farm to school program. Connecticut-Grown for Connecticut Kids Week.
Section 22-39. - Penalty for hindering commissioner.
Section 22-39a. - Controlled atmosphere storage of fruit.
Section 22-39b. - Registration.
Section 22-39c. - Daily determinations of air components.
Section 22-39d. - Record. Report. Mechanical breakdowns.
Section 22-39e. - Inspection by Commissioner of Agriculture.
Section 22-41. - Grades of eggs.
Section 22-42. - Weight and size requirements.
Section 22-43. - Requirements of advertising of eggs.
Section 22-44. - Terms used on eggs.
Section 22-45. - Prohibited advertising, labeling, offering or selling of eggs.
Section 22-46. - Sale of inedible eggs. Licenses.
Section 22-48. - Enforcement. Inspection. Notice of violation or order. Regulations.
Section 22-51. - Enforcement. Grades and standards.
Section 22-52. - Marking of packages.
Section 22-53. - Taking of samples.
Section 22-54a to 22-54n. - Apple market orders in effect before July 1, 1989.
Section 22-54o. - Definitions.
Section 22-54p. - Powers and duties of commissioner. Regulations.
Section 22-54r. - Assessment. Civil penalty.