Establishes the maple syrup assistance program

Title of bill

An act to amend the agriculture and markets law and the environmental conservation law, in relation to establishing a maple syrup assistance program

Purpose or general idea of bill

This bill seeks to grow and expand the marketing and production opportunities for maple syrup producers throughout New York State.

Summary of specific provisions

* Section 1. Amends paragraph (f) of subdivision 2 of section 301 of the agriculture and markets law is amended to include pure maple products, along with maple sap, within the definition of crops, livestock and livestock products as it relates to the agricultural districts law. * Section 2. Amends paragraph (d) of subdivision 9 of section 301 of the agriculture and markets law to provide that pure maple products be included in the gross sales value as it relates to the agricultural districts law. * Section 3. Allows the Commissioner to support and encourage the production of maple syrup and pure maple products by consulting with the Department of Environmental Conservation to develop the Maple Syrup Assistance Program (MapSAP). * Section 4. Amends subdivision 4 of section 297 of the agriculture and markets law to clarify that those projects involving maple sap and pure maple products are eligible under the Food and Industry Development Program. * Section 5. Amends subdivision 9 of section 284 of the agriculture and markets law to provide that the Hudson Valley Agricultural Center may provide marketing and promotional support for maple sap and pure maple products. * Section 6. Adds a new subdivision 1-a to section 9-0505 of the environmental conservation law to create the Maple Syrup Assistance Program (MapSAP). This program would be developed by the Department of Environmental Conservation with the consultation of the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Justification

The maple industry has been growing tremendously for the past several years with New York State ranked 2nd in the country behind Vermont producing almost $7 million in value. There are more than 1,500 maple producers working to bring more than a quarter of a million gallons of maple syrup to tables everywhere.

What this bill does is try to sweeten the assistance to our farmers in terms of expanding their marketing opportunities and their production capabilities. This bill ensures that not only the sale of maple syrup, but also pure maple products, are counted in the gross sales value of a farm operation for the purposes of our agricultural districts.

More than that, this bill would create the Maple Syrup Assistance Program (MapSAP) in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Department of Environmental Conservation that would allow maple syrup producers to increase their production opportunities on state lands.

Over the past several years, the state has invested in, both legislatively and through the budget process, our maple producers and they have delivered time and again. By passage of this bill we will be further tapping into that vein of growth that will propel our maple producers in the future. This bill will help New York State become the number one producer of maple syrup in the country.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.