SECTIONS 587-588 - California Statutes

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE

SECTION 587-588

587. The Legislature finds and declares the following:
(a) The Legislature supports the agricultural community's efforts
to promote choices of farming methods, practices, and crops.
(b) The Legislature also recognizes the economic and other value
to the State of California in diversified agricultural industries,
bolstered by mutually supportive coexistence within and among its
sectors; and further appreciates the value and importance of
agricultural research for the benefit not only of California's
farming community, but also farmers and people around the world.

588. (a) When conflicts arise between sectors of agriculture, the
secretary may designate agricultural coexistence working groups to
work towards conflict resolution.
(b) The members of a coexistence working group shall be appointed
by, and serve at the pleasure of, the secretary. Each working group
shall be comprised of no more than 10 members of diverse
qualifications, who shall serve without compensation and within
existing departmental resources, to develop, review, and provide
findings and recommendations to the secretary regarding specific
issues pertaining to the coexistence of various sectors of
agricultural production that present or might present conflicts with
one another. Each working group shall be comprised primarily of
affected growers or their representatives from a cross section of the
interested stakeholders and may also include representatives of
related industries, academia, or relevant governmental agencies.
(c) In developing its findings and recommendations for the
secretary, a working group may do any of the following:
(1) Recognize the economic, human, and environmental benefits of
coexistence among diversified agricultural industries by developing
best management practices designed to foster coexistence between the
various segments of food, fiber, and agriculturally derived energy
production.
(2) Identify a means of maximizing coordination and communication
among those involved in sectors of agricultural production that are
in real, potential, or perceived conflict with one another, and
consider issues relevant to coexistence, including, but not limited
to, developing consensus on voluntary production practices and
protections.
(3) Work in concert with the State Board of Food and Agriculture,
and provide a forum for fostering a broad-based dialogue on
agricultural production practices related to coexistence, founded on
facts and demonstrable applied and practical science. If data is
lacking, the working group may also propose research programs to
provide information on which to base further recommendations.