401-411

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE
SECTION 401-411




401.  The department shall promote and protect the agricultural
industry of the state.



401.5.  The department shall also seek to enhance, protect, and
perpetuate the ability of the private sector to produce food and
fiber in a way that benefits the general welfare and economy of the
state. The department shall also seek to maintain the economic
well-being of agriculturally dependent rural communities in this
state.



402.  The department shall prevent fraud and deception in any of the
following:
   (a) Packing or labeling, or in any phase of the marketing, of any
agricultural product which is governed by this code.
   (b) Labeling and marketing of any commodity that is governed by
this code, which is sold to producers for use in the production of
crops.



403.  The department shall prevent the introduction and spread of
injurious insect or animal pests, plant diseases, and noxious weeds.



404.  The department shall execute the provisions of this code,
except as otherwise provided, and of other laws administered by it.



405.  (a) With the prior approval of the Department of Fish and Game
and the State Department of Health Services, the department may
reproduce or distribute biological control organisms that are not
detrimental to the public health and safety which are known to be
useful in reducing or preventing plant or animal damage due to pests
or diseases.
   (b) The department shall not engage in the production of
beneficial organisms when such organisms are available for purchase
from commercial sources.



406.  The department shall require reports from commissioners.



407.  The director may adopt such regulations as are reasonably
necessary to carry out the provisions of this code which he is
directed or authorized to administer or enforce.



408.  The director may enter upon any premises to inspect the
premises or any plant, appliance, or thing which is on such premises.



409.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department by
rule or regulation may provide for the issuance and renewal on a
two-year basis of licenses, certificates of registration, or other
indicia of authority issued pursuant to this code by the department
or any agency in the department.
   The department may, by rule or regulation, set the fee for such
two-year license, certificate of registration, or other indicia, not
to exceed twice the annual fee for issuance or renewal set by
statute.



410.  It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of
Food and Agriculture, in cooperation with appropriate county
officials and industry representatives, develop mutually satisfactory
sources of nonstate funding to augment budget programs in the areas
of county agricultural commissioners and weights and measures.




411.  (a) The Department of Food and Agriculture shall supply the
Department of Water Resources with a forecast that estimates the
amount of production of food, fiber, livestock, and other farm
products.
   (b) As part of the forecast, the Department of Food and
Agriculture's assumptions shall be based upon 20-year estimates that
include, but are not limited to, the following data:
   (1) Land use conversion rates and the amount of land available for
agricultural production.
   (2) The growing need for food, fiber, livestock and other farm
products as the state's and the nation's populations grow.
   (3) Implementation of irrigation technology and other on-farm
water conservation measures.
   (4) Advances in crop yields and production techniques.
   (5) Alternate uses of crops.
   (c) The department shall include an additional table in the
forecast that estimates the agricultural water needs based upon food
security considerations that include, at a minimum, the following:
   (1) Population growth estimates.
   (2) Production of farm products sufficient to feed the state's
population, as well as continue to provide at least 25 percent of the
nation's table food.
   (3) Production necessary to meet the growth in export markets.
   (d) To the extent feasible, the Department of Food and Agriculture
may cooperate with the Department of Finance, the University of
California, and other institutions and organizations in obtaining
information for the forecasts.
   (e) The Department of Food and Agriculture shall furnish the
forecast to the Department of Water Resources for estimating related
water usage, as well as to the Chairs of the Assembly Committee on
Agriculture, the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife,
and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources. The
Department of Water Resources shall include this information in
Bulletin 160.