13.1-331 - Associations are not in restraint of trade. - Virginia Statutes

§ 13.1-331. Associations are not in restraint of trade.

(a) No association complying with the terms hereof shall be deemed to be aconspiracy, or a combination in restraint of trade, or an illegal monopoly;or be deemed to have been formed for the purpose of lessening competition orfixing prices arbitrarily, nor shall the contracts between the associationand its members, or any agreements authorized in this Act, be construed as anunlawful restraint of trade, or as a part of a conspiracy or combination toaccomplish an improper or illegal purpose or act.

(b) An association may acquire, exchange, interpret and disseminate to itsmembers, to other cooperative associations, and otherwise, past, present andprospective crop, market, statistical, economic and other similar informationrelating to the business of the association, either directly or through anagent created or selected by it or by other associations acting inconjunction with it.

(c) An association may advise its members in respect to the adjustment oftheir current and prospective production of agricultural commodities and itsrelation to the prospective volume of consumption, selling prices andexisting or potential surplus, to the end that every market may be servedfrom the most convenient productive areas under a program of orderlymarketing that will assure adequate supplies without undue enhancement ofprices or the accumulation of any undue surplus.

(Code 1950, § 13-284; 1956, c. 428.)