Article 1. Declaration And General Provisions of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 22. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 17.5. >> Article 1.

The production and marketing of strawberries constitutes an important industry of this state that provides substantial and necessary revenues for the state and employment for its citizens.

The establishment of the commission is necessary for the efficient creation and management of a research program to develop improved varieties of strawberries, an integrated approach to control pests and diseases common to strawberries, and more efficient cultural practices. The commission is also necessary for the efficient development and management of a national and international advertising and promotion program which, combined with the research program, will enhance the competitiveness of the California strawberry industry within the national and international marketplace.

The maintenance of the strawberry industry of California is necessary to assure the public of a continuous supply of this vital product and the maintenance of needed levels of income for those engaged in the strawberry industry of this state.

The production and marketing of strawberries produced in this state is hereby declared to be affected with the public interest. This chapter is enacted in the exercise of the police power of this state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state.

A commission form of administration created by this chapter is designed to deal with the broad fields of advertising, promotion, marketing research, and production research.

No action taken by the commission, or by any individual in accordance with this chapter or with rules and regulations adopted under the chapter, shall be deemed a violation of the so-called Cartwright Act (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 16700) of Part 2 of Division 7 of the Business and Professions Code), the Unfair Practices Act (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 17000) of that Part 2), or any rule of statutory or common law against monopolies or combinations in restraint of trade.

It is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination that members of the commission are intended to represent and further the interest of the particular industry concerned and that this representation and furtherance is intended to serve the public interest. Accordingly, the Legislature finds that with respect to persons who are elected or appointed to the commission, the particular industry concerned is tantamount to, and constitutes the public generally within the meaning of Section 87103 of the Government Code.