(a) Effective for taxable years beginning July 1, 1997, notwithstanding any provisions of this code to the contrary, any person, newly and solely engaged in the production of value-added products from raw agricultural products are allowed a credit, in the amount of $1,000 for each taxable year against the tax imposed by this article, for a period of five years from the date the person becomes subject to this article. The credit is allowed only against the tax imposed on that capital which is attributable to the value-added production activity in this state.

(b) For purposes of this section, "value-added product" means the following products derived from processing a raw agricultural product, whether for human consumption or for other use. The following enterprises qualify as processing raw agricultural products into value-added products: (1) The conversion of lumber into furniture, toys, collectibles and home furnishings; (2) the conversion of fruit into wine; (3) the conversion of honey into wine; (4) the conversion of wool into fabric; (5) the conversion of raw hides into semifinished or finished leather products; (6) the conversion of milk into cheese; (7) the conversion of fruits or vegetables into a dried, canned or frozen product; (8) the conversion of feeder cattle into commonly acceptable marketable retail portions; (9) the conversion of aquatic animals into a dried, canned, cooked or frozen product; and (10) the conversion of poultry into a dried, canned, cooked or frozen product.

(c) The Tax Commissioner may propose rules for promulgation in accordance with article three, chapter twenty-nine-a as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.

(d) No credit is available to any taxpayer under this section after July 1, 2002: Provided, That taxpayers which have gained entitlement to the credit pursuant to the terms of this section prior to July 1, 2002, shall retain that entitlement and apply the credit in due course pursuant to the requirements and limitations of this section until the original five-year credit entitlement has been exhausted or otherwise terminated.