EXECUTIVE ORDER
05-13

WHEREAS, plant biotechnology is an important industry that is critical to economic development and job creation in Missouri; and

WHEREAS, value-added agriculture and plant life sciences hold great potential to promote economic growth that will sustain Missouri's economy for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, if Missouri is to continue to attract plant biotechnology companies and establish itself as a leader in the plant life science industry, it must provide a fair, science based regulatory climate and forge a strong partnership between Missouri farmers, business, scientists and government.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Matt Blunt, Governor of the State of Missouri, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, hereby create and establish the Governor's Advisory Council for Plant Biotechnology.

Membership of the Council shall consist of members appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall designate one (1) of the members to act as Chairman. All members of the Council shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Council shall meet when called by the Chairman.

The Department of Economic Development and Department of Agriculture shall provide any staff assistance required by the Council. Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their services but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

The duties of the Council shall include but are not limited to:

1. Advising the Governor of ways to aggressively recruit plant biotechnology companies to Missouri;
2. Helping recruit plant biotechnology companies to Missouri;
3. Making recommendations regarding a potential regulatory structure and process for production of crops with pharmaceutical and industrial applications;
4. Evaluating Missouri's plant life sciences environment and determining ways to better foster Missouri's plant biotechnology industry;
5. Crafting specific initiatives to foster the plant life science industry by addressing identified needs regarding additional financial incentives, additional research programs, and public policy changes; and
6. Serving as a resource for new plant biotechnology companies that are considering locating in Missouri by providing information on a wide range of pertinent topics such as regulatory requirements, available financial incentives, sources of investment capital, and agronomic variables in various areas of the state.

ATTEST:

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