§ 2671. Purpose

(a) It is the policy of the State of Vermont to protect and promote the public interest by:

(1) Ensuring the citizens of this State and the general public an adequate supply of pure fresh milk and other dairy products of constantly improving quality.

(2) Establishing the appropriate dairy laws, rules, and administrative procedures as will protect the public health and welfare.

(3) Improving the economy of the State and the welfare of dairy farmers and milk handlers by improving the competitive position of the dairy industry and increasing the consumption of milk and other dairy products.

(4) Securing uniformity in dairy standards, labeling, and sanitary procedures and developing milk markets by cooperating and coordinating with the appropriate dairy agencies of other states and the federal government to the extent consistent with the interests of the State of Vermont.

(b) It is essential, in order to ensure the continued production of milk and its handling and distribution, that prices to producers be such as to return reasonable cost of production and at the same time ensure an adequate supply of milk and dairy products to consumers at reasonable prices; and to these ends, it is essential that consumers and others be adequately informed as to the dietary needs and advantages of milk and dairy products and as to the economics resulting from the use of milk and dairy products and to command for milk and dairy products consumer attention and demand consistent with their importance and value. It is further declared that continued decline in the consumption of fluid milk and some other dairy products will jeopardize the production of adequate supplies of milk and dairy products because of increasing surpluses necessarily returning less to producers and that continued adequate supplies of milk and dairy products is a matter of vital concern as affecting the health and general welfare of the people of this State. It is therefore declared to be the legislative intent and policy of the State:

(1) to enable milk producers and others in the dairy industry, with the aid of the State, to more effectively promote the consumption of milk and dairy products;

(2) to provide methods and means for the development of new and improved dairy products and to promote their use; and

(3) to this end, to eliminate the possible impairment of the purchasing power of the milk producers of this State and to ensure an adequate supply of milk for consumers at reasonable prices. (Added 1965, No. 175, § 1; amended 1979, No. 101 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 1981, No. 198 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. April 22, 1982; 2021, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 107, eff. July 1, 2022.)