HB 1891-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Finds that the export market for Washington's agricultural products has dropped significantly in recent years and that such a drop has negatively impacted the economy in Washington's agricultural regions.

     Declares an intent to enhance Washington's international trade of agricultural products by increasing funding for the Washington state department of agriculture's international marketing program in an effort to promote marketing of Washington's products and to assist the agricultural industry in efforts to reduce trade barriers that stand in the way of trade in new and emerging markets.

     Creates a market development and promotion matching fund program within the Washington state department of agriculture.  The purpose of the program is to allow the department of agriculture and the agricultural industry to combine funds in order to enhance access to markets that are growth sales areas for the industry's product.  The goal of the program is to expose buyers to Washington's diverse agricultural products.

     Finds that trade barriers have become an increasingly important issue in the agricultural arena.  Further, the world trade organization highlighted the need for "a fair and level playing field."  The legislature finds that both large and small commodity groups need adequate resources to address trade barrier issues.

     Creates within the department of agriculture a trade barrier matching fund program to assist agriculture industries in fighting trade barriers.  The purpose of the program is to allow the department of agriculture and the agricultural industry to combine funds in order to address trade barriers issues impacting the agricultural industry.

     Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.