§ 2674 — Records and reports — Handlers

(a) On or before March 1 of each year, all handlers shall send the Secretary a full and accurate report of the amount of business done during the preceding year, together with such other statistical information as the Secretary may require. Failure to file requested information shall be grounds for suspension of license. If the handler purchases milk from a Vermont farm, a cooperative representing a Vermont farm, or a marketing service owned by a cooperative, the handler, in addition to any other information required by the Secretary, shall provide the following information:
(1) the source or sources of milk purchased by the handler and the monthly quantity purchased for each of the past 12 months;
(2) a sworn balance sheet showing assets and liabilities and a profit and loss statement as of the end of the handler’s preceding fiscal year and such other information regarding its financial condition as the Secretary may require; and
(3) a statement as to when all Vermont producers will be paid in part and in full, provided that payment shall be made as agreed upon but not later than the 25th day of the following month.
(b) A milk handler that is licensed under this chapter and that withdraws more than 57,600 gallons of groundwater per day averaged over any 30-consecutive-day period shall annually report estimated water use to the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets shall share information reported under this section with the Agency of Natural Resources. (Added 1965, No. 175, § 21; amended 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2007, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. June 9, 2008; 2013, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 5.)