(a) The secretary may adopt regulations to encourage the direct sale by farmers to the public of all types of California agricultural products. It is the intent of the Legislature that, in adopting those regulations, the secretary shall endeavor to keep costs incurred by farmers and certified farmers’ market operators to a minimum, recognizing that any administrative costs imposed on farmers and certified farmers’ market operators are generally passed on in the form of increased prices to the public, thus economically benefiting neither the public nor the farmer.
(b) In accordance with the intent expressed in subdivision (a), the secretary may adopt regulations clarifying the provisions of this chapter, including the adoption of regulations for maintaining the quality and wholesomeness of the products offered for sale and promoting and fostering honest selling activities for those products.
(c) The secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with a county agricultural commissioner to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, administration, investigations, inspections, registrations, and assistance pertaining to direct marketing producers and outlets. Compensation under the cooperative agreement shall be paid from assessments and fees collected and deposited pursuant to this chapter and shall provide reimbursement to the county agricultural commissioner for associated costs exclusive of the costs of certification and minimum inspections required pursuant to Section 47020.
(d) Upon reasonable suspicion of a violation of Section 890, a certified farmers’ market operator may contract with a county agricultural commissioner for a special onsite field or storage verification inspection of a direct marketing producer selling in a certified farmers’ market operated and controlled by the operator. All contracts and contract fees are subject to the discretion of the county agricultural commissioner in the county where the verification inspections are being requested.
(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 384, Sec. 2. (AB 2324) Effective January 1, 2017.)