The director shall terminate any marketing order if he finds that the termination of the marketing order is requested in writing, within a 90-day period, by at least 51 percent of the producers that are directly affected that produce at least 51 percent of the volume of the product, or by at least 51 percent of the handlers that are directly affected that handle at least 51 percent of the volume of the product.

The person or persons originating such a written request shall file a written notice with the director in such a manner that the date such a request is initiated can be readily ascertained. Any such person may withdraw his name from such a written request until the time the request is presented to the director.

A request to terminate a marketing order shall be submitted to the director by a petition signed by not less than the number of producers or handlers which produce or handle the volume of products specified in this section. The signatures to the petition need not all be appended to one sheet of paper. Each person signing the petition shall add to his signature his place of business, giving street and number. If no street and number exist, then a designation of the place of business shall be given which will enable the location to be readily ascertained.

Before circulating a petition to terminate a marketing order, its proponents shall notify the director of their intent to do so in order to ascertain the beginning date of the 90-day period.

After such notification to the director, the petition may be circulated among the producers or handlers affected. The petition shall bear a copy of the notice of intention. Signatures shall be secured within the time limit specified in this section. Any person may withdraw his name from a petition to terminate any marketing order until the time the petition is presented to the director.

(Amended by Stats. 1976, Ch. 644.)