* § 291. Legislative declaration. It is hereby declared that the marketing of agricultural commodities and aquatic products in this state, in excess of reasonable and normal market demands therefor; disorderly marketing of such commodities; improper preparation for market and lack of uniform grading and classification of agricultural commodities and aquatic products; unfair methods of competition in the marketing of such commodities and the inability of individual producers to develop new and larger markets for agricultural commodities and aquatic products, result in an unreasonable and unnecessary economic waste of the agricultural wealth of this state. Such conditions and the accompanying waste jeopardize the future continued production of adequate food supplies for the people of this and other states. These conditions vitally concern the health, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state. It is therefore declared the legislative purpose and the policy of this state:

1. 1. To enable agricultural producers and aquatic producers of this state, with the aid of the state, more effectively to correlate the marketing of their agricultural commodities and aquatic products with market demands therefor.
2. 2. To establish orderly, efficient, and equitable marketing of agricultural commodities and aquatic products.
3. 3. To provide for uniform grading and proper preparation of agricultural commodities and aquatic products for market.
4. 4. To provide methods and means for the development of new and larger markets for agricultural commodities and aquatic products produced in New York.
5. 5. To eliminate or reduce the economic waste in the marketing of agricultural commodities and aquatic products.
6. 6. To eliminate unjust impairment of the purchasing power of aquatic producers and the agricultural producers of this state.
7. 7. To aid agricultural and aquatic producers in maintaining an income at an adequate and equitable level. * NB Effective July 1, 2026