§106-815. Report

The Commissioner of Agriculture shall file a report no later than 31 March of each year with the Chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources and Senate Appropriations Committee on Natural and Economic Resources, the Chair of the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee, and the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources which shall include the following:

(1)        The short- and long-term problems associated with maintaining a viable dairy industry in the State.

(2)        Ways to sustain the existing dairy industry in the State.

(3)        Opportunities to expand the dairy industry, including attracting both new dairy producers and new processors to the State.

(4)        The contribution of dairy farms to the maintenance of prime agricultural land and the quality of life in the State.

(5)        An analysis of the effectiveness of the Dairy Stabilization and Growth Program in achieving the goals of maintaining a local supply of fresh milk for processing and consumption, facilitating the entry of young farmers into the dairy industry, and preserving green space along the urban fringe.

(6)        Other factors that impact the dairy industry in the State.

(2006-139, s. 2; 2007-495, s. 21.)