A. The Beef Industry Council may improve cattle industry markets through activities to develop, maintain, and expand the state, national, and foreign markets for cattle, beef, veal, and their products produced, processed, or manufactured in the Commonwealth.
B. The Beef Industry Council may formulate and effectuate, directly or in cooperation with other agencies and instrumentalities specified in this chapter, sales stimulation and consumer or other educational programs designed to increase the use and consumption of beef, veal, and their products.
C. The Beef Industry Council shall engage in the research, education, and promotion of the use and sale of beef and beef products, and shall have the following powers and duties:
1. To enter into contracts as the Beef Industry Council deems necessary for the experimental development of new or improved markets or marketing methods.
2. To conduct or contract for scientific research and services to discover and develop the commercial value of beef and veal and their products.
3. To make grants to research agencies for financing special or emergency studies or for the purchase or acquisition of facilities necessary to carry out research in keeping with the intent of this chapter.
4. To disseminate reliable information founded upon the research conducted under this chapter and other sources, showing the uses of beef, veal, and their products.
5. To cooperate with any local, state, or national organization or agency engaged in work or activities similar to that of the Beef Industry Council and enter into contracts with such organizations or agencies for carrying on joint programs.
6. To act jointly and in cooperation with the federal and state governments, or any agency thereof in the administration of any program of the government or governmental agency deemed by the Beef Industry Council as beneficial to the production, marketing, or promotion of the beef and veal industry of the Commonwealth and expend funds in connection with such programs provided they are compatible with this chapter.
7. To enter into contracts that it deems appropriate to the carrying out of the purposes of the Beef Industry Council as authorized by this chapter.
8. To study and inform producers concerning state and federal legislation with respect to tariffs, duties, reciprocal trade agreements, import quotas, and other matters concerning the beef and veal industry.
9. To borrow money not in excess of estimates of its revenue from the current year’s tax.
10. To appoint subordinate officers and employees of the Beef Industry Council and prescribe their duties and fix their compensation within the limitations of the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.).
11. To acquire and maintain such office space and equipment as necessary to carry out the duties of the Beef Industry Council.
12. From the tax revenues it receives, to contract with organizations to carry out work and programs, approved by the Beef Industry Council, on a national basis.
D. The Beef Industry Council shall establish a meeting place anywhere within the Commonwealth, but the selection of the location shall be guided by consideration for the convenience of the majority of those most likely to have business with the Beef Industry Council or to be affected by this chapter.
E. The Beef Industry Council may adopt regulations necessary to carry out the purpose of this chapter.
F. An annual report shall be made by the Beef Industry Council to the Commissioner and shall be published as a public record to include a statement on receipts and itemized disbursements of the Virginia Beef Industry Fund.
History
1970, c. 310, §§ 3.1-796.14, 3.1-796.22 to 3.1-796.24; 2008, c. 860; 2011, c. 158; 2016, c. 565.
