2004 Minnesota Statutes

     17.696 Unfair practices of handlers and associations. 

    Subdivision 1.    Unfair practices by handler.  
 Producers of agricultural commodities are free to join together 
 voluntarily in associations as authorized by law without 
 interference by handlers.  A handler shall not engage in any of 
 the following practices, defined as unfair practices: 

    (a) To coerce a producer in the exercise of the right to 
 join and belong to or to refrain from joining or belonging to an 
 association or to refuse to deal with a producer because of the 
 exercise of the right to join and belong to an association.  

    (b) To discriminate against a producer with respect to 
 price, quantity, quality or other terms of purchase, acquisition 
 or other handling of agricultural products because of membership 
 in or contract with an association.  

    (c) To coerce or intimidate a producer to breach, cancel or 
 terminate a membership agreement or marketing contract with an 
 association or a contract with a handler.  

    (d) To pay or loan money, give anything of value or offer 
 any other inducement or reward to a producer for refusing or 
 ceasing to belong to an association.  

    (e) To make or circulate unsubstantiated reports about the 
 finances, management or activities of associations or other 
 handlers.  

    (f) To conspire, combine, agree or arrange with any other 
 person to do or aid or abet the doing of any practice which is 
 in violation of sections 17.691 to 17.701.  

    (g) To refuse to bargain with an association with whom the 
 handler has had prior dealings or with an association whose 
 producers in the bargaining units have had dealings with the 
 handler prior to July 1, 1973.  

    Subd. 2.    Unfair practices by association.  An 
 association shall not engage nor permit an employee or agent to 
 engage in the following practices, defined as unfair practices: 

    (1) coerce a producer in the exercise of the right to join 
 and belong to or to refrain from joining or belonging to an 
 association or refuse to deal with a producer because of the 
 exercise of the right to join and belong to or refrain from 
 joining an association; 

    (2) enter into a contract which discriminates against a 
 producer represented by that association; 

    (3) act in a manner contrary to the bylaws of the 
 association; 

    (4) coerce or intimidate a handler to breach, cancel, or 
 terminate an agreement or marketing contract with an association 
 or a contract with a producer; 

    (5) make or circulate unsubstantiated reports about the 
 finances, management, or activities of other associations or 
 handlers; or 

    (6) conspire, combine, agree, or arrange with another 
 person to do or aid or abet the doing of any practice which is 
 in violation of sections 17.691 to 17.702.  

    HIST: 1973 c 736 s 6; 1986 c 444; 1998 c 373 s 11; 2001 c 161 
 s 57