Senate Bill S6317

                                BILL NUMBER:S6317A

TITLE OF BILL:

An  act  to  amend  the  agriculture and markets law, in relation to the
definition of "agricultural commodity"

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To amend the definition of agricultural commodity to  include  not  only
maple syrup, but also "pure" maple products produced from such syrup.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

This  bill  amends subdivision one of section 293 of the Agriculture and
markets law.

Section 1 - Amends the definition of agricultural commodity  to  include
tree sap and pure maple products produced thereof.

Section 2 - This act shall take effect immediately.

JUSTIFICATION:

Maple  production  in  New York State is currently an $18 million dollar
(estimated) activity, with the potential for significant expansion.  New
              

York State has the most tappable maple trees of any state  or  province,
with  only  0.5%  of the potential taps currently utilized.  New York is
the 3rd largest maple producer. In accordance with a study conducted  by
Cornell  University, if New York were to tap its maple trees at the same
rate as the State of Vermont, it would produce 1.2  million  gallons  of
maple syrup, four times the amount of New York's current production. New
York  is  also  a  net importer of maple syrup, which indicates there is
significant need. With some assistance, this need could be met with  New
York State product.

One  of  the measures identified that would improve conditions for maple
producers, and help to attract more producers and expansion of  existing
operations,  is  to  expand  the definition of agricultural commodity to
include not only tree sap, but also products produced from "pure"  maple
sap (which would include syrup, maple cream, shaped sugar, and granulat-
ed maple sugar). Expanding this definition would extend the agricultural
protection  that  would  be  beneficial  to  the industry. If maple were
included in the definition, of "agricultural commodity", then  producers
would  be  eligible to apply for United States Department of Agriculture
and New York State Agriculture & Markets funding to  assist  with  their
production.

This measure will make the maple tapping industry in New York State more
economically viable, and help set the stage for future expansion.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the State. Positive implications for maple producers.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.