EXECUTIVE ORDER EO
92-06
ESTABLISHING THE FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
COUNCIL
TO FOSTER THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE WASHINGTON
FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY
WHEREAS,
value-added food processing is an economic pillar of the State of Washington and
in 1991 became the state's second largest manufacturing industry-employing
38,000 workers and providing $873 million in wages, $6.16 billion in gross
business income and $20.67 million in Business and Occupational Tax; and
WHEREAS,
over 80 percent of food products produced and processed in the State of
Washington are sold in national and international markets, thereby generating
new money for the state; and
WHEREAS,
the Washington State Legislature in 1987 (Section 314 of Chapter 7, 1st
Extraordinary Session) and 1989 (RCW 43.31.430) requested and received reports
from the Department of Trade and Economic Development outlining strategies for
retention and development of food processing as one of eight key targeted
industry sectors; and
WHEREAS,
processing crops, unlike other manufactured components, are usually seasonal
and perishable and require expedited handling and an Informed regulatory
climate to avoid loss due to spoilage, disease or decay; and
WHEREAS,
food processing companies of all sizes are heavily impacted by federal, state
and local legislative and, regulatory actions (sometimes conflicting) which
affect the cost and therefore the competitive position of the Industry; and
WHEREAS,
improving the competitive positions of existing Washington food processing
companies Is the most certain way to retain and expand the food processing
industry; and
WHEREAS,
the State of Washington stands to benefit economically and can enhance the
quality of life of its residents by expanding the value-added component of
agricultural products through implementation of AG-2000 (the long-range
strategic plan for the state's agribusiness industry, developed in cooperation
with the Washington Department of Agriculture); and this expansion can result
in new jobs, increased income, more profitability for businesses and expanded
revenue for the state; and
WHEREAS,
expansion of the food processing industry, including attracting now firms, will
benefit both rural and urban areas and the thousands of individuals, organizations
and businesses that supply the state's food processing industry with raw
products, labor, supplies, equipment, resources and services;
NOW,
THEREFORE, I, Booth Gardner, Governor of the State of
Washington, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby formally
establish the Food Processing Industry Development Council with the purpose of
strengthening the food processing Industry. In carrying out this purpose, the
Council is encouraged to work with the legislature and state agencies to seek
ways to accomplish the following:
I. Establish
a business climate that encourages production of the numerous crop and
livestock commodities used as inputs to the food processing industry.
II. Encourage
retention and development of existing food processing firms.
III. Provide
incentives to expand existing businesses, attract new firms and encourage use
of new processes.
IV. Identify
impediments to industry growth and generate voluntary actions by the industry
that will enhance the quality of life of our state's citizens.
V. Evaluate
the competitive position of Washington's food processing industry, including
the Impact of current and proposed regulations and taxes, relative to other
states and nations, In order to prevent non-competitive increases In the cost
of food production and marketing.
VI. Avoid
laws and regulations that restrict interstate trade and that may be in conflict
with federal food safety requirements.
VII. Monitor
the economic performance of the value-added food processing Industry to identify
the most promising areas and market for expansion, as well as to provide
advance warning of declines in the existing Industry.
VIII. Recognize
that unique considerations may be necessary for firms that process seasonal and
perishable raw food products.
IX. Assure
the continued availability of land, water and energy to support growth and
development of agribusiness in the state.
X. Encourage
the development of the physical and economic Infrastructure (including water,
waste treatment facilities, transportation, trained labor, technology and
education) necessary to support a viable food processing Industry.
XI. Encourage
development of new value-added technologies for existing and new agricultural
crops, varieties and products.
·
The Council shall consist of the 30 members of
the ad hoc committee appointed by the Governor In 1989 or thereafter, pursuant
to AG-2000. Should a vacancy occur on the Council after August 1, 1992, the
Governor shall determine whether a replacement is needed and, if so, appoint a
replacement to assure a balanced representation of the food processing
Industry, associate Industry trade organizations, local economic development
organizations, support industries, research institutions, and state government.
·
The membership shall consist of 25 or less
members who are managing owners, officers or top management representatives of
food processing and related Industry sectors as follows:
Up to 17 members from
direct food processing and/or related production support industries;
Up to three (3)
members from associated Industry trade organizations;
Up to three (3)
members from related finance, legal, technology, and transportation sectors;
and
Up to two (2) members
representing local economic development organizations.
·
Five (5) of the members shall represent state
agencies and shall be ex-officio, non-voting members. Those agencies are: The
Washington State Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Economic Development,
Community Development, Ecology, and Labor and Industries.
·
Council members shall serve without
compensation.
·
The Governor shall appoint the chair who will
serve a one-year term. The Council shall elect a vice chair who will serve a
one-year term.
·
Meetings shall be held four times per year or as
determined by the chair.
·
Staff support shall be collectively provided by
Washington State Department of Agriculture (Market Development Division), and
Washington State Department of Trade and Economic Development (Targeted Sector
Program). Additional staff input will be provided by the Business Assistance
Center, IMPACT Center at Washington State University, and other state agencies
as needed.
·
The council and its responsibilities shall be
terminated on June 30, 1995.
This Executive Order shall take effect
immediately.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and caused
the seal of the State
of Washington to be
affixed at Olympia
this 15th day of
September A.D., Nineteen hundred and ninety-two.
BOOTH GARDNER
Governor of Washington
BY THE GOVERNOR:
_________________________________
Secretary of State
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