OHIO AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY HANDLER LAW RULES AMENDED

New Rules for Asset Evaluation, DP Contracts Commodity Testers Exam & Scale Tickets

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has amended the current Commodity Handler Rules by consolidating many of the rules and making changes to others.

The changes address:

• Asset Valuation rule - patronage stock was removed from assets not included for calculating net worth
• DP Agreements - handlers who purchase commodities under DP are now required to use a standardized agreement, which all read the same and must be obtained from ODA
• Commodity Testers Certificate – passing the exam will require an 80% score or higher on the open book exam. Anyone failing the exam for certification or recertification will be required to attend an approved training program before taking the exam again.
• Scale ticket information has been standardized and the required information is defined by rule.

 While the rule are now in place ODA will not start enforcing them till October 1, 2008. ODA will send an official letter to all licensed commodity handlers outlining the changes.