Agriculture

Agriculture is a $16 billion industry in Texas, making it the second
largest industry in the state. Throughout his public service career,
Governor Perry has worked to keep the Texas agricultural industry at
the forefront of the world market by protecting Texas products from
foreign diseases, promoting the use of new technology in agriculture,
and advocating for open markets for Texas producers.

Protecting the Texas Food Supply

In today’s global agricultural market Governor Perry recognizes the
importance of protecting the quality of the Texas agricultural industry
and food supply. As Governor, Perry has improved the security of Texas’
agriculture commodities by implementing expedited reporting
requirements on animal diseases, requiring the development of foreign
animal disease response plans by state agencies, and including
agriculture related agencies in the development of homeland security
operations planning. All of these actions will help protect the Texas
agricultural industry and our food supply.

Promoting Texas’ Agricultural Economy

Governor Perry has long supported scientific innovation to help the
Texas agriculture industry compete and succeed in a global market.
Governor Perry worked with international partners to win funding for
the Bovine Genome Sequencing project that will lay the groundwork for
efforts to address hunger, improve nutrition and reduce agriculture’s
impact on the environment. Perry also supported marketing programs for
Texas wine, shrimp, and oysters, as well as the funding of the ethanol
and biodiesel production incentive program to help turn agriculture
products into energy.

Boll Weevil Eradication

Cotton is the second largest agricultural industry in Texas. To
combat cotton’s natural enemy, Lt. Governor Perry supported the
creation of the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation and continues
to support the successful eradication efforts across Texas.