Lt. Governor Dewhurst and State Senator Estes Announce Interim
Charges for Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
WEATHERFORD, TX—State Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) joined Lt. Governor David Dewhurst to highlight interim charges for the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Estes. The interim charges focus on improving investment and productivity as well as the safety of agricultural products.
"Texas agriculture has always been an important part of our economy, and must be included when we look for ways to help promote economic growth, job creation, and new opportunities," said Estes. " Increasing investment and productivity while also focusing on food safety will help protect and promote our agricultural industries."
"Texas owes a large share of its heritage and its economic strength to the hard-working men and women of our agriculture industry," said Dewhurst. "I want to make sure we're doing everything we can as a state to help farmers and ranchers to reap the benefits of their hard work, create jobs and continue to be great stewards of the land."
As the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee prepares for the 2011 Legislative Session, Lt. Governor Dewhurst directed its members to work on the following issues:
- Study and make recommendations on new and innovative ways to increase investment, employment and production in Texas agriculture.
- Study current federal, state and local safeguards to protect our food supply. Examine the impact of revised federal regulations on the state, and the potential impact of pending federal legislation. Examine existing capabilities of the public health system on the border to accomplish public health surveillance of food.
- Study the impact of windblown herbicides on grape growing and other agricultural production. Make recommendations for improving the safety and quality of Texas agricultural products.
- Study and make recommendations on the impact of feral hogs and other predators that hamper development of Texas agriculture.
Senator Estes is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and represents Senate District 30 covering Archer, Baylor, Clay, Collin (part), Cooke, Denton (part), Grayson, Jack, Montague, Parker, Palo Pinto, Shackelford, Stephens, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise, and Young counties.
