Ch. 274                                    1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(III) 1 MARYLAND DAIRY PRODUCER;

(IV)   2 MARYLAND DAIRY PROCESSORS;

(V)    2 MARYLAND RETAILERS OF DAIRY PRODUCTS; AND

(VI)   2 MEMBERS AT LARGE.

(C)     STAFF SUPPORT FOR THE TASK FORCE SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE
STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE OFFICE OF
PLANNING AND OTHER APPROPRIATE UNITS.

(D)    THE PURPOSES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TASK FORCE ARE TO:
(1) ASSESS:

(I)     THE CURRENT STATE OF DAIRY FARMING IN MARYLAND;

(II)    TRENDS IN PRODUCTION, PROCESSING. MARKETING. AND
LAND USE THAT AFFECT DAIRY FARMING AND THE DAIRY INDUSTRY IN
MARYLAND; AND

(III)   THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF MARYLAND DAIRY FARMING,
ALLIED INDUSTRIES AND SERVICES;

(2) STUDY THE ISSUES RAISED RELATING TO THE STATE OF. TRENDS IN,
AND VIABILITY OF THE MARYLAND DAIRY INDUSTRY. AND OPTIONS FOR
ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES, BOTH IN A COMPREHENSIVE MANNER AND IN SPECIFIC
STRATEGIES;

(3) DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR METHODS TO MAINTAIN AND
IMPROVE MARYLAND'S DAIRY INDUSTRY. PRESERVE FARMLAND, AND PROMOTE
THE USE AND CONSUMPTION OF MARYLAND MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS;

(4) IN THE COURSE OF ITS ASSESSMENT, STUDY, AND DEVELOPMENT OF
RECOMMENDATIONS. CONDUCT MEETINGS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE.
AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION FROM ALL SECTORS OF THE STATE;

(5) PROPOSE LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY, AND OTHER CHANGES
REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS; AND

(6) MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS
UNTIL THE TASK FORCE TERMINATES.

(E) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1. 1996. THE TASK FORCE SHALL REPORT ITS
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR, TO THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENTAL
MATTERS COMMITTEE. AND TO THE SENATE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

(F) THIS SECTION SHALL TERMINATE AND BE OF NO EFFECT AFTER
DECEMBER 31. 1996.

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