The division of markets may do all of the following:

(A) Investigate the cost of production and marketing in all its phases;

(B) Gather and disseminate information concerning supply, demand, prevailing prices, and commercial movements, including common and cold storage of food products, and maintain market news service for disseminating such information;

(C) Promote, assist, and encourage the organization and operation of cooperative and other associations and organizations for improving the relations and services among producers, distributors, and consumers of food products;

(D) Investigate the practice, methods, and any specific transaction of commission merchants and others who receive, solicit, buy, or handle on commission or otherwise, food products;

(E) Act as mediator or arbitrator, when invited, in any controversy or issue that arises between producers and distributors and that affects the interest of the consumer;

(F) Act on behalf of the consumers in conserving and protecting their interests in every practicable way against excessive prices;

(G) Act as market adviser for producers and distributors, assisting them in economical and efficient distribution of good products at fair prices;

(H) Encourage the establishment of retail municipal markets and develop direct dealing between producers and consumers;

(I) Encourage the consumption of Ohio-grown products within the state, nationally, and internationally;

(J) Take such means and use such powers, relative to shipment, transportation, and storage of foodstuffs of any kind, as are necessary, advisable, or desirable in case of an emergency creating or threatening to create a scarcity of food within the state;

(K) Participate in trade missions between states and foreign countries in order to encourage the sale and promotion of Ohio-grown products.

Effective Date: 2003 HB95 09-26-2003