Unlawful conduct

(a) In general (1) Contract or conspiracy in restraint of trade It is unlawful for a food producer, in or affecting commerce, or any agent or subcontractor thereof, to subscribe to, contract with, or otherwise exchange anything of value or use in return for the services of a coordinator, and such action shall be deemed to be a per se violation of the Sherman Act (15 U.S.C. 1 et seq.). (2) Facilitation It is unlawful for a coordinator, in or affecting commerce, to facilitate an agreement among food producers to not compete with respect to food prices, supply or output, or other commercial term, including by performing a coordinating function.