Section 2-2-12. Assistance to United States Department of Agriculture in inspection, certification, and identification of agricultural products and collection of fees

   (a) It is the intent of this Code section to authorize the department to assist the United States Department of Agriculture, pursuant to the federal Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, 7 U.S.C. Sections 1621-1627, in the inspection and certification of products in commerce to the end that agricultural products may be marketed to the best advantage, that trading may be facilitated, and that consumers may be able to obtain the quality product which they desire.

(b) The department is authorized to assist the United States Department of Agriculture in the inspection, certification, and identification of the class, quality, quantity, and condition of agricultural products when shipped or received in commerce, under such rules as the secretary of agriculture may prescribe, including collection of such fees as will be reasonable and as will cover the cost of the service rendered. Such fees shall not be considered taxes, fees, or assessments for state purposes but shall be collected under authority of the federal Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 for purposes of assisting the United States Department of Agriculture in carrying out its mission under said act.

(c) The department may enter into cooperative agreements with the United States Department of Agriculture and with any firm, corporation, association, or organization having the capacity to contract for the purpose of assisting the United States Department of Agriculture in the inspection, certification, and identification of the class, quality, quantity, and condition of agricultural products when shipped or received in commerce and in the collection of such fees as will be reasonable and as will cover the cost of the service rendered.

Code 1981, § 2-2-12, enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 327, § 1.