§ 2-14-130. Short Title

This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Vidalia Onion Act of 1986.” History. Code 1981, § 2-14-130 , enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 3, § 1.

§ 2-14-131. Definitions

As used in this article, the term: “Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, or any other legal entity. “Shipping date” means the first day on which Vidalia onions may be shipped for sale. “Vidalia onion” means all onions of the Vidalia onion variety grown in the Vidalia onion production area. “Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel” […]

§ 2-14-132. Use of Term “vidalia.”

Only onions which are of the Vidalia onion variety and which are grown within the Vidalia onion production area may be identified, classified, packaged, labeled, or otherwise designated for sale inside or outside this state as Vidalia onions. The term “Vidalia” may be used in connection with the labeling, packaging, classifying, or identifying of onions […]

§ 2-14-132.1. Vidalia Onion Trademark; Royalties; License Fees

The Commissioner of Agriculture is authorized to take all actions necessary and appropriate to create, register, license, promote, and protect a trademark for use on or in connection with the sale or promotion of Vidalia onions and products containing Vidalia onions. The Commissioner is authorized to impose and collect a royalty or license fee for […]

§ 2-14-133. Rules and Regulations; Enforcement of Article

The Commissioner is authorized to prescribe rules or regulations which may include, but not necessarily be limited to, quality standards, grades, packing, handling, labeling, and marketing practices for the marketing of onions in this state, including the requirements that all Vidalia onions be initially packed only in the Vidalia onion production area and that no […]

§ 2-14-134. Violations; Criminal Penalties

It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale either inside or outside this state any onions as Vidalia onions unless such onions are of the Vidalia onion variety and were grown in the Vidalia onion production area. It shall be unlawful for any person to package, label, identify, or classify […]

§ 2-14-135. Civil Penalties; Injunctions

Any person who violates any provision of this article or who violates any rule or regulation issued by the Commissioner pursuant to this article shall be liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $5,000.00 for each and every violation thereof, the amount of such penalty to be fixed by the Commissioner […]

§ 2-14-136. Marketing Season Shipping Date

The Commissioner may determine and announce a shipping date each year for the Vidalia onion marketing season in this state upon the recommendation of the Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel. Vidalia onions may be shipped prior to such date with a mandatory U.S. No. 1 grade certificate. The Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel shall survey the conditions […]

§ 2-14-137. Standards for Grades

The standards for grades adopted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Standards for Grades of Bermuda-Granex-Grano Type Onions, effective January 1, 1960, as amended March 18, 1962, and February 20, 1985 (7 C.F.R. 51.3195-51.3209), December 31, 1981, and U.S. Standards for Grades of Common Green Onions (7 C.F.R. 51.1055-51.1071) December 31, 1981, are adopted […]

§ 2-14-138. Advisory Panel Created

The Commissioner shall appoint a Vidalia Onion Advisory Panel, to consist of individuals involved in growing, packing, or growing and packing Vidalia onions; at least one county cooperative extension agent from the Vidalia onion production area; and any other person or persons selected by the Commissioner, for the purpose of rendering advice upon his or […]