This marketing order is to promote the general welfare of the state and for the purpose of maintaining existing markets or creating new or larger local, domestic, and foreign markets; increasing production efficiency; ensuring a fair regulatory environment; or increasing per capita consumption of red raspberries grown in Washington state. The Washington state red raspberry commodity board is designated by the director to conduct programs in accordance with chapter 15.65 RCW.

(1) To carry out the purposes of the marketing order, the board may provide for a program in one or more of the following areas:

(a) Establish plans and conduct programs for marketing, sales, promotion or other programs for maintaining present markets or creating new or larger markets for raspberries. Programs shall be directed toward increasing the sale of raspberries without reference to any particular brand or trade name and shall neither make use of false or unwarranted claims on behalf of raspberries nor disparage the quality, value, sale, or use of any other agricultural commodity. The board may also engage in cooperative efforts in the domestic or foreign marketing of red raspberries;

(b) Develop and engage in research for developing better and more efficient production, processing, irrigation, transportation, handling, or marketing of red raspberries and expend the necessary funds for such purposes. Insofar as practicable, such research shall be carried out by Washington State University, but if in the judgment of the board, Washington State University does not have adequate facilities for a particular project or if some other research agency has better facilities, the project may be carried out by other research agencies selected by the board;

(c) Conduct programs for the purpose of providing information and education including:

(i) Marketing information and services to affected producers for the verification of weights, tests, and sampling of quality and quantity of raspberries purchased by handlers from affected producers;

(ii) Information and services enabling producers to meet their resource conservation objectives;

(iii) Red raspberry-related education and training.

(d) Subject to the provisions of chapter 15.65 RCW, provide information and communicate on matters pertaining to the production, irrigation, processing, transportation, marketing, or uses of red raspberries produced in Washington state to any elected official or officer or employee of any agency.

(2) The director shall approve any plans, programs, and projects concerning:

(a) The establishment, issuance, effectuation, and administration of programs authorized under this section for advertising and promotion of red raspberries; and

(b) The establishment and effectuation of market research projects, market development projects, or both to the end that marketing and utilization of the affected commodity may be encouraged, expanded, improved, or made more efficient.

(3) The Washington state red raspberry commission will not adopt rules relating to grades and standards.