(510 ILCS 101/15)

Sec. 15. Illinois Swine Market Development Program.

(a) The name of the program authorized by and created by this Act is the Illinois Swine Market Development Program.

(b) The program shall include, as applicable, the following:

(1) a definition of terms;

(2) the purpose of the program;

(3) the assessment rate or rates provided for by the program;

(4) equitable procedures for collection of the assessment provided for the program;

(5) procedures and criteria for determining adoption of a program;

(6) the election procedure and qualifications of the directors of the Council, terms of office, expense reimbursement, and other necessary provisions pertaining thereto;

(7) the operating procedures of the program;

(8) the qualifications for and registration of swine producers to participate in referenda for the adoption, amendment, or continuation of a marketing program and the election of Council directors;

(9) the procedure for requesting refunds and, if provided for in the marketing program, reasonable reimbursement of collection agencies' expenses;

(10) procedures for the discontinuance of a program;

(11) the determination of what swine are subject to assessment and the exemption of swine producers or swine from assessment when those exemptions are applicable as defined in the marketing program; and

(12) the adoption of other provisions to facilitate the purposes of the marketing program.

(c) The purposes of the program may include:

(1) promoting the sale and use of pork and pork products; supporting promotion, research, and education programs, and other consumer marketing activities at a funding level determined by the Council; and otherwise supporting consumer market development and promotion efforts on a State, national, and international scale;

(2) developing new uses and markets for pork and pork products;

(3) developing and improving methods of distributing pork and pork products to the consumer;

(4) developing methods for improving the quality of pork and pork products for consumer benefit;

(5) informing and educating the public of the nutritive and economic value of pork and pork products;

(6) informing and educating pork producers on disease control and eradication, environmental stewardship and mandates, and other areas of importance to the swine industry;

(7) functioning as a liaison within the pork industry and other food industries of the State and elsewhere in matters that would increase efficiencies that ultimately benefit both consumers and industry; and

(8) developing and expanding markets for swine.

(Source: P.A. 92-158, eff. 7-25-01.)