The Legislature finds that the potato industry has a substantial and unique effect on the economy of the entire State and Aroostook County in particular. A large number of people in Maine are directly or indirectly dependent upon the potato industry. In the recent past, a number of potato producers have been very adversely affected by the failure of processors of potatoes to compensate producers for the raw product contracted and delivered to the processor. As a result, some producers have been forced out of business as a way of life and as a means of earning a livelihood. [PL 1975, c. 725 (NEW).]

The Legislature intends through this legislation to provide producers of potatoes with a limited guarantee of payment for the raw product contracted by and delivered to a processor. This legislation is designed to afford limited protection for producers and thereby promote the general welfare of the State which is dependent upon the potato industry and the producer. [PL 1975, c. 725 (NEW).]