(a) Every milk products plant or milk handler that purchases, or otherwise acquires possession or control of, milk directly from producers shall deduct from payments that are due producers for milk, and shall pay to the secretary, the fee, not to exceed the reasonable costs of the services provided, required to be paid by the producer.
(b) For purposes of this article, “milk handler” means any person that, as owner, agent, broker, or intermediary, receives, purchases, or otherwise acquires ownership, possession, or control of milk or manufacturing milk in unprocessed or bulk form from a producer for the purpose of manufacture, processing, sale, distribution, or other handling.
(c) For purposes of this article, “producer” means any person that operates a dairy farm as defined in Section 32505.