Definitions — Maine Code § 1955.

§ 1955.. Definitions

As used in this Article, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words shall have the following meanings.   [PL 1973, c. 621, §1 (NEW).]

1.  Association of producers.  "Association of producers" means any association of producers of agricultural products organized and existing under this subchapter.

2.  Board.  "Board" means the Maine Agricultural Bargaining Board provided for in this Article.

3.  Handler.  "Handler" means any person engaged in the business or practice of:

A. Acquiring agricultural products from producers or associations of producers for processing or sale;   [PL 1973, c. 621, §1 (NEW).]

B. Grading, packaging, handling, storing or processing agricultural products received from producers or associations of producers;   [PL 1973, c. 621, §1 (NEW).]

C. Contracting or negotiating contracts or other arrangements, written or oral, with or on behalf of producers or associations of producers with respect to the production or marketing of any agricultural product; or   [PL 1973, c. 621, §1 (NEW).]

D. Acting as an agent or broker for a handler in the performance of any function or act specified in paragraph A, B or C.   [PL 1973, c. 621, §1 (NEW).]

In the case of potatoes, "handler" means a processor as defined under Title 7, section 1012, subsection 14 or a person or company acting as an agent, broker or dealer as defined under Title 7, section 1012, subsections 1, 3 and 5, respectively, for a processor located or licensed in the State and providing more than 100,000 hundredweight of potatoes annually to any one processor.  

4.  Person.  "Person" includes one or more individuals, partnerships, corporations and associations.

5.  Producer.  "Producer" means a person engaged in the production of agricultural products as a farmer, planter, rancher, poultry farmer, dairy farmer, fruit, vegetable or nut grower, or independent agricultural contractor as specified in section 1774, subsections 6‑A and 8‑A. If a producer is also a handler, the producer is considered only a handler for the purposes of this Act.

6.  Qualified association.  "Qualified association" means an association of producers accredited in accordance with section 1957.