SEC. 2.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The agricultural industry is vital to the health of California’s economy, producing over 400 crops and employing over 400,000 people.
(b) California is a state that feeds the nation, growing over one-third of the country’s vegetables and three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts.
(c) The 2020–22 drought has had severe economic impacts on the agricultural industry, with an estimated 395,000 acres of farmland fallowed and notable decreases in the production of many commodities. These impacts will likely intensify due to California’s rigid regulatory environment.
(d) The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted supply chains, with agriculture being one of the most severely affected markets, including farms, processors, handlers, retail outlets, and trade. The industry has still not recovered from these impacts.
(e) High-input costs combined with inflation and regulatory expenses have put the agricultural industry in a precarious situation.
(f) Walnut, tomato, and almond prices have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 supply chain crunch and drought conditions, driving prices to record lows and jeopardizing producers’ continued operation.