(2) If the producer or person requesting the services is selling milk to a first handler, distributor, producer-distributor or dairy products plant licensee, the department may forward an itemized statement for services rendered to the person requesting the services and also to the first handler, distributor, producer-distributor or licensee. The first handler, distributor, producer-distributor or licensee shall pay the itemized amount to the department and shall deduct that amount from the amount paid to the producer or other person selling milk. Any first handler, distributor, producer-distributor or licensee who refuses to make the deduction shall pay the itemized amount to the department.
(3) Subsection (2) of this section does not relieve the producer or person requesting the services from being primarily responsible for payment to the department. The department may take all actions necessary to collect the amount due against the producer or person requesting the services. [1965 c.474 §4; 1999 c.197 §59; 2013 c.85 §5]