(a) It is hereby declared by the General Assembly that dairy farming is of paramount importance in helping to maintain a strong economy and in preserving the State's remaining rural character; that dairy farming at present is in serious jeopardy because of the rapidly declining price of milk being paid to producers while corresponding costs of production remain the same or increase; that the federal milk marketing order minimum price for milk is now and may be in the future inadequate to cover the costs of milk production and provide for a reasonable economic return to dairy producers; that the entire distribution structure of the milk industry is threatened; and that Vermont should ensure that there is an adequate supply of milk for the consuming public both inside and outside Vermont. The General Assembly also reaffirms and restates its findings and statement of policy as set forth in section 2671 of this title. Due to the uncertainty in the federal market order structure and marked fluctuations in market order prices, the dairy industry of the State is imperiled, which is a menace to the health, welfare, and reasonable comfort of the inhabitants of the State.

(b) The general purposes of this subchapter are to protect and promote the public welfare by insuring at all times an adequate supply of clean, pure milk and cream of proper quality to meet the needs of the inhabitants of this State and to ensure the continuing economic vitality of the dairy industry by stabilizing the price received by farmers for their milk at a level allowing them an equitable rate of return. These purposes are to be accomplished through regulation of the milk-marketing industry, and through control in general, consistent with constitutional limitations, of the price of all fluid dairy products sold or offered or exposed for sale to the inhabitants of this State and by Vermont farmers, to the end that the public health and economic welfare of the State shall not be menaced or jeopardized. (1965, No. 175, § 39; amended 1991, No. 17, § 2, eff. April 4, 1991.)