Any Agricultural Trade Officer and the senior representative of the Secretary of Agriculture assigned to a nation under subchapter I of this chapter may, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Agriculture, be entitled to receive a representation allowance in an amount determined by considering (1) the extent to which such Agricultural Trade Officer or senior representative can effectively use such funds to further the purposes of this chapter, (2) travel and entertainment expenses customary in the private trade for persons of comparable rank and salary, and (3) customs and practices in the nation where such Agricultural Trade Officer or senior representative is assigned.

The Secretary of Agriculture may make rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter and may cooperate with any Department or agency of the United States Government, State, Territory, or possession or any organization or person. In any foreign country where custom or practice requires payment in advance for rent or other service, such payment may be authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture. Funds available for the purposes of this chapter may be used for extending courtesies to representatives of foreign countries, when so provided in appropriation or other law.

The President shall prescribe regulations to insure that the official activities of persons assigned abroad under this chapter are carried on (1) consonant with United States foreign policy objectives as defined by the Secretary of State; (2) in accordance with instructions of the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to agricultural matters; and (3) in coordination with other representatives of the United States Government in each country, under the leadership of the Chief of the United States Diplomatic Mission.

Effective October 1, 1976, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to provide appropriate orientation and language training to families of officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture in anticipation of an assignment abroad of such officers and employees or while abroad pursuant to this chapter or other authority: Provided, That the facilities of the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center or other Government facilities shall be used wherever practicable, and the Secretary may utilize foreign currencies generated under title I of the Food for Peace Act, as amended [7 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.], to carry out the purposes of this section in the foreign nations to which such officers, employees, and families are assigned. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums, not to exceed $50,000 annually, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section: Provided, That for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1977, any appropriations available to the Secretary of Agriculture (not to exceed $50,000) may be used to carry out the purposes of this section.

The Secretary of Agriculture may, under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the President or his designee, provide to personnel appointed or assigned by the Secretary of Agriculture under this chapter or other authority allowance and benefits similar to those provided by chapter 9 of title I of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 [22 U.S.C. 4081 et seq.]. Leaves of absence for personnel under this chapter shall be on the same basis as is provided for the Foreign Service of the United States by subchapter I of chapter 63 of title 5.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect personnel employed by or funds available to the Foreign Operations Administration or programs conducted under its authorities.

The term “agricultural commodity” as used in this chapter includes any agricultural commodity or product thereof.