((a)) ** Program required** The Secretary shall establish a program under which milk producers and cooperative associations of producers are authorized to voluntarily enter into forward price contracts with milk handlers.
((b)) ** Minimum milk price requirements** Payments made by milk handlers to milk producers and cooperative associations of producers, and prices received by milk producers and cooperative associations, in accordance with the terms of a forward price contract authorized by subsection (a), shall be treated as satisfying—
((1)) all uniform and minimum milk price requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (F) of paragraph (5) of ; and
((2)) the total payment requirement of subparagraph (C) of that paragraph.
((c)) ** Milk covered by program**
((1)) ** Covered milk** The program shall apply only with respect to the marketing of federally regulated milk that—
((A)) is not classified as Class I milk or otherwise intended for fluid use; and
((B)) is in the current of interstate or foreign commerce or directly burdens, obstructs, or affects interstate or foreign commerce in federally regulated milk.
((2)) ** Relation to Class I milk** To assist milk handlers in complying with paragraph (1)(A) without having to segregate or otherwise individually track the source and disposition of milk, a milk handler may allocate milk receipts from producers, cooperatives, and other sources that are not subject to a forward contract to satisfy the obligations of the handler with regard to Class I milk usage.
((d)) ** Voluntary program**
((1)) ** In general** A milk handler may not require participation in a forward pricing contract as a condition of the handler receiving milk from a producer or cooperative association of producers.
((2)) ** Pricing** A producer or cooperative association described in paragraph (1) may continue to have their milk priced in accordance with the minimum payment provisions of the Federal milk marketing order.1
((3)) ** Complaints**
((A)) ** In general** The Secretary shall investigate complaints made by producers or cooperative associations of coercion by handlers to enter into forward contracts.
((B)) ** Action** If the Secretary finds evidence of coercion, the Secretary shall take appropriate action.
((e)) ** Duration**
((1)) ** New contracts** No forward price contract may be entered into under the program established under this section after .September 30, 20232023-09-30
((2)) ** Application** No forward contract entered into under the program may extend beyond .September 30, 20292029-09-30
