2-10-102. Findings — Purposes.

2-10-102. Findings — Purposes. (a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) The dairy industry is an essential agricultural activity of the State of Arkansas; (2) Dairy farms, associated suppliers, marketers, processors, and retailers are an integral component of the state's economy; (3) The ability of a dairy farm, associated supplier, marketer, processor, and retailer to provide a stable, local supply of pure and wholesome milk is a matter of great importance to the health and welfare of the people of this state; (4) Dairy farms are an integral part of the state's rural communities; (5) Dairy farms preserve land for agricultural purposes and provide needed economic stimuli for rural communities; (6) Assurance of a fair and equitable price for dairy farmers ensures their ability to provide milk to the market and the vitality of the state's dairy industry and all the associated benefits of the industry; (7) Recent, dramatic price fluctuations, with a pronounced downward trend, threaten the viability and stability of the dairy industry of this state; and (8) The federal order system, implemented by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, 7 U.S.C. § 601 et seq., established only minimum prices paid to producers for raw milk, without preempting the power of the state to regulate milk prices above the minimum levels so established. (b) The purposes of this subchapter are to: (1) Take all necessary steps to assure the continued viability of dairy farming in the state; (2) Assure consumers of an adequate, local supply of pure and wholesome milk; (3) Neither displace the federal order system nor encourage the merging of federal orders; and (4) Encourage increased production to meet the state's need for quality milk.