Definitions — Maine Code § 423.

§ 423.. Definitions

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).]

1.  Agricultural commodity.  "Agricultural commodity" means any and all agricultural, horticultural and vineyard crops and products when produced or sold in this State, either in their natural state or as processed by the producer, including such products as:

A. Poultry or poultry products;   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).]

B. Bees;   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).]

C. Maple syrup;   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).]

D. Livestock, including swine; and   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).]

E. Honey.   [PL 1981, c. 154, §1 (NEW).]

Agricultural commodity does not include potatoes or potato products, timber or timber products.  

2.  Commissioner.  "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry or the commissioner's designee.

3.  Committee. 

4.  District.  "District" means geographical division of the production areas in this State as may be established by the commissioner pursuant to this subchapter.

5.  Grade.  "Grade" means one of the officially established grades for an agricultural commodity as defined by the commissioner.

6.  Handler.  "Handler" means any person, except a common carrier, exempt carrier or contract carrier of agricultural commodities, who is engaged in packing, grading, selling, offering for sale or marketing any agricultural commodities, who as owner, agent or otherwise ships or causes to be shipped an agricultural commodity.

7.  Market agreement.  "Market agreement" means an agreement with the commissioner entered into pursuant to this subchapter.

8.  Market order.  "Market order" means an order issued by the commissioner pursuant to this subchapter, prescribing rules governing the marketing, distribution, sale or handling, in any manner of any agricultural commodity during any specified period.

9.  Person.  "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, legal representative or any organized group or business unit.

10.  Processor.  "Processor" means any person, other than a consumer, who purchases or contracts to purchase an agricultural commodity primarily for manufacture into food or other products by operations which change the physical form which that agricultural commodity possessed when produced.

11.  Producer.  "Producer" means any person engaged within this State in the business of producing, or causing to be produced, for any market, any agricultural commodity.