SECTIONS 72001-72008 - California Statutes

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE

SECTION 72001-72008

72001. The wheat industry in this state is expanding rapidly. It
provides over three hundred fifty million dollars ($350,000,000) in
farm income annually, increased by almost 20 percent in 1981, and is
expected to show continued growth in the future. It is one of
California's five biggest agricultural exports. In total production,
the state is among the top 10 states nationwide. The industry is a
major employer of agricultural labor and is also a source of
employment in the transportation, warehousing, and shipping
industries.

72002. Opportunity exists for continued expansion, particularly if
the industry can develop better varieties more suited to the
California climate and the needs of the marketplace. The unique
qualities of California wheat need to be promoted to foreign buyers,
who purchase most of the wheat grown in this state. Opportunity also
exists for increasing sales to domestic customers.

72003. The establishment of a California Wheat Commission is
necessary for the efficient development and management of an
international sales promotion program, and is essential to ensure
that the California wheat industry can compete successfully in the
marketplace.

72004. A commission is also necessary to conduct research into the
development of varieties more suitable to the export trade, as well
as more productive under California growing conditions.

72005. A California Wheat Commission would also be the means for
California producers to take a more active role in national wheat
organizations and wheat policymaking bodies. Producers in this state
lack effective input at the national level, while producers in all
other major wheat-growing states have this advantage through their
own state commissions.

72006. The production and marketing of wheat produced in this state
is hereby declared to be affected with public interest. The
provisions of this chapter are enacted in the exercise of the police
power of this state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace,
safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.

72007. A commission form of administration created by this chapter
is designed to deal with the broad fields of advertising, promotion,
marketing research, and production research.

72008. No action taken by the commission, nor by any individual in
accordance with this chapter or with rules or regulations adopted
under the chapter, shall be deemed a violation of the Cartwright Act,
the Unfair Practices Act, the Fair Trade Act, or any rule of
statutory or common law against monopolies or combinations in
restraint of trade.