INTRODUCTION 



Historically, the agriculture, forestry, and seafood 

 industries have played an essential and vital role in support- 

 ing both the rural and urban populations cf North Carolina. In 

 recent years, all of these industries have experienced severe 

 financial setbacks and instability due to inclement weather, 

 inflation, reduction in foreign exports, and other unavoidable 

 circumstances. In order to insure that the agriculture, 

 forestry, and seafood industries maintain their ability to 

 produce for future needs, the 19R3 General Assembly enacted HB 

 1169 (Chapter 915, 1983 Session Laws) creating the Agriculture, 

 Forestry, and Seafood Awareness Study Comjnission . The Cominis- 

 sion was successful in 1903 through 1985 in its findings and 

 recommendations for the Agriculture, Forestry and Seafood 

 industries. Based on this success, the 1985 General Assembly 

 permanently established the Agriculture, Forestry, and Seafood 

 Awareness Study Commission in the law (Chapter 792, 1985 

 Session Laws) , so it could continue to study these three 

 industries (See Appendix A for legislation). The major purpose 

 of the Commission continues to be focusing public attention on 

 the importance of these three industries to North Carolina's 

 economy. 

 Commission's Charge 



The charge to the Commission by the General Assembly 

 contains the following directions for studying the agriculture, 

 forestry, and seafood industries: 



1. Study the influence of these industries on the 

 economy of the State. 

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