WAC 16-512-006   Marketing order purposes.  This marketing order is to promote the general welfare of the state and for the purpose of maintaining existing markets or creating new or larger local, domestic, and foreign markets; or increasing production efficiency, ensuring a fair regulatory environment; or increasing per capita consumption of fryers in Washington state. The Washington state fryer commission is designated by the director to conduct the following programs in accordance with chapter 15.66 RCW:

     (1) Marketing and sales promotion plans.

     (a) Subject to the provisions of the act, the commission is hereby authorized to prepare plans, administer and conduct programs, and expend moneys for marketing and sales promotion for promoting the sale of fryers, including, but not necessarily limited to the following:

     (i) Increasing the sale and consumption of Washington-produced fryers through the use of the press, radio, television, and all other marketing media;

     (ii) Dealer service work, trade promotion, publicity, market development, and expansion activities;

     (iii) Prevention, modification, or elimination of trade barriers which restrict the free flow of fryers produced in this state;

     (iv) Presentation of facts to and negotiations with state, federal, or foreign governmental agencies on matters which affect the marketing of fryers produced in this state, including cooperation with any agency or group in efforts to increase per capita consumption of fryers, and such other activities and programs which are consistent with the objectives of this marketing order and the act.

     (b) In carrying out any marketing and sales promotion plans or programs, the commission may engage or hire such advertising media as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of the act and this order, arrange for marketing space, display material and other marketing material, conduct dealer service work, or may use any other methods consistent with the act and this marketing order which the commission considers appropriate in promoting or creating new and larger domestic or foreign markets for fryers, or in maintaining existing markets. The commission may also engage in cooperative efforts in the domestic or foreign marketing of fryer food products.

     (c) Programs and plans adopted by the commission under this marketing order shall be directed towards promoting the sale of fryers without reference to any particular private brand or trade name and sales promotion and marketing programs so conducted shall not disparage the value, quality, sale, or use of any other agricultural commodity or make use of any unwarranted or false claims on behalf of fryers.

     (2) Research.

     (a) The commission, subject to the provisions of the act, is hereby authorized to carry on or cause to be carried on any necessary and proper marketing, production, transportation, processing, or handling research or survey studies relating to fryers and to expend moneys for such purposes.

     (b) The commission is authorized to engage in research and survey studies that may include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the following:

     (i) Production problems.

     (ii) Developing objective quality factors for fryers.

     (iii) Disease control.

     (iv) Developing and improving methods of processing fryers for the purpose of increasing and expanding their use for food purposes.

     (v) Improving packaging and handling techniques which promote more efficient operation in the marketing and distribution of fryers.

     (vi) Investigating transportation rates and service costs.

     (c) The commission may, in addition to the activities enumerated above, carry on any other proper and necessary research and/or survey programs and activities consistent with, and subject to, the limitations of the act. Research and/or survey studies may include the collection of data and information relating to fryers; the analysis of the data and information; the dissemination of the data, information and analysis; and other investigation that falls within the scope of the marketing, producing, transportation, processing or handling of fryers.

     (3) Labeling.

     (a) The commission may adopt rules, subject to the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW, to provide for the improving of standards and grades for fryers by defining, establishing and providing labeling requirements, as provided in the act, and not inconsistent with the laws of this state, with respect to the same, and to expend moneys for such purposes.

     (b) The commission shall be authorized to cooperate with state and federal agencies or departments responsible for revising and modernizing grades and standards and labeling of fryers.

     (c) All chickens commonly referred to as fryers, broilers, or fryer-roasters and including any and all breeds or varieties of chicken under the age of six months, sold or offered for sale in the state of Washington, must be labeled as to the state of origin at the point of retail sale. The state of origin is defined as the state wherein the bird has been raised to market weight. Specific requirements for labeling shall be made by the fryer commission pursuant to rules promulgated in accordance with the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW.

     (4) Unfair trade practices. The commission may investigate and take necessary action to prevent unfair trade practices and to correct, where possible, trade practices which hinder marketing of Washington-produced fryers. Information acquired in an investigation shall be confidential and shall be released only to the extent necessary to effectuate the purposes of the act.

     (5) Standards, grades, labels and trade practices. The provisions covering standards, grades, labels and trade practices shall apply with respect to fryers produced in Washington state.

     (6) The commission is authorized, subject to the provisions of the act, to provide information and communicate on matters pertaining to the production, processing, transportation, marketing, or uses of fryers produced in Washington state to any elected official or officer or employee of any agency.

     (7) Information and education. The commission may conduct programs for the purpose of providing information and education including:

     (a) Marketing information and services for producers of fryers;

     (b) Information and services enabling producers to meet their resource conservation objectives;

     (c) Fryer-related education and training.

     (8) The director shall approve any plans, programs, and projects concerning:

     (a) The establishment, issuance, effectuation, and administration of programs authorized under this section for advertising and promotion of fryers; and

     (b) The establishment and effectuation of market research projects, market development projects, or both to the end that marketing and utilization of fryers may be encouraged, expanded, improved, or made more efficient.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 15.66.030, 15.66.053, 15.66.055. 04-07-128, § 16-512-006, filed 3/22/04, effective 4/22/04.]