Section 561.

The Legislature finds and declares the following:

(a) California agriculture helps to feed the world and fuel our economy. Agriculture provides one out of every 10 jobs in California, and our state has led the nation in total farm production every year since 1948. During 1993, California's 76,000 farms generated nearly $20 billion in cash receipts and another $70 billion in economic activity.

(b) Many farmers engage in practices that contribute to the well-being of ecosystems, air quality, and wildlife and their habitat. Agriculture plays a pivotal role in preserving open space that is vital to the environment. Seventy-five percent of the nation's wildlife live on farms and ranches. Freshwater streams and stockponds on farms and ranches provide habitat to millions of fish. Corn, wheat, rice, and other field crops provide bountiful food and habitat for deer, antelope, ducks, geese, and other wildlife.

(c) Environmental laws should be based on the best scientific evidence gathered from public and private sources.

(d) Best scientific evidence should include the net environmental impact provided by agriculture.

(e) Additional research is necessary to adequately inventory the impact that agriculture has on the environment. Recognition should be afforded to agricultural activities that produce a net benefit for the environment, which is consistent with the growing trend of providing incentives for the private sector to undertake economic activities that benefit the environment.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 928, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1996.)