It is the declared policy of the state to eliminate fraud, misinformation, deception, and other unfair trade practices that have existed in the processing strawberry industry and are detrimental to producers, processors, and consumers of processing strawberries due to the unavailability of accurate and reliable market price information. In order to prevent fraud, misinformation, deception, and other unfair trade practices, it is hereby declared as the policy of the state that the purchase of processing strawberries be subject to this chapter. The necessity for the enactment of this chapter, including the exemptions contained within it, is declared to be for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.

“Processing strawberries” means strawberries produced, in whole or in part, for the purpose of being ultimately processed into a use other than fresh consumption.

“Purchase price” means all price and price terms for processing strawberries, including any and all forms of compensation from processors to producers.

“Integrated producer-processor” means any producer who processes strawberries of his or her own production either as an individual, a business entity, or as a separate business entity operating as parent and subsidiary, or otherwise, which are under the same ownership and control, and who retains title to the processed strawberries, including, but not limited to, all rights to hypothecate the processed strawberries.

This chapter covers any marketing order issued pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 58601) of Part 2 which exclusively affects processing strawberries.