7 USC 5925 - High-priority research and extension initiatives

View all text of Subchapter VII [§ 5921 - § 5943]

§ 5925. High-priority research and extension initiatives

(a) Competitive specialized research and extension grants authorized

(1) In general

(2) Matching funds requirement

(A) In general

(B) In-kind support

(C) WaiverThe Secretary may waive the matching funds requirement under subparagraph (A) with respect to a research project if the Secretary determines that—

(i) the results of the project are of a particular benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, but those results are likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or

(ii)(I) the project—(aa) involves a minor commodity; and(bb) deals with scientifically important research; and(II) the recipient is unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.

(3) Consultation

(b) Administration

(1) In general

(2) Use of task forces

(d) High-priority research and extension areas

(1) Dairy financial risk management research and extension

(2) Potato research and extension

(3) Wood use research and extension

(4) Bighorn and domestic sheep disease mechanisms

(5) Agricultural development in the American-Pacific region

(6) Tropical and subtropical agricultural research

(7) Women and minorities in stem fields

(8) Alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage systems research program

(9) Coffee plant health initiativeResearch and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of—

(A) developing and disseminating science-based tools and treatments to combat the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei); and

(B) establishing an areawide integrated pest management program in areas affected by, or areas at risk of, being affected by the coffee berry borer.

(10) Corn, soybean meal, cereal grains, and grain byproducts research and extension

(11) Macadamia tree health initiativeResearch and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of—

(A) developing and disseminating science-based tools and treatments to combat the macadamia felted coccid (Eriococcus ironsidei); and

(B) establishing an areawide integrated pest management program in areas affected by, or areas at risk of being affected by, the macadamia felted coccid.

(12) National turfgrass research initiativeResearch and extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes of—

(A) carrying out or enhancing research related to turfgrass and sod issues;

(B) enhancing production and uses of turfgrass for the general public;

(C) identifying new turfgrass varieties with superior drought, heat, cold, and pest tolerance to reduce water, fertilizer, and pesticide use;

(D) selecting genetically superior turfgrasses and developing improved technologies for managing commercial, residential, and recreational turfgrass areas;

(E) producing turfgrasses that—

(i) aid in mitigating soil erosion;

(ii) protect against pollutant runoff into waterways; or

(iii) provide other environmental benefits;

(F) investigating, preserving, and protecting native plant species, including grasses not currently utilized in turfgrass systems;

(G) creating systems for more economical and viable turfgrass seed and sod production throughout the United States; and

(H) investigating the turfgrass phytobiome and developing biologic products to enhance soil, enrich plants, and mitigate pests.

(13) Fertilizer management initiative

(A) In generalResearch and extension grants may be made under this section for the purpose of carrying out research to improve fertilizer use efficiency in crops—

(i) to maximize crop yield; and

(ii) to minimize nutrient losses to surface and groundwater and the atmosphere.

(B) Priority

(14) Cattle fever tick programResearch and extension grants may be made under this section to study cattle fever ticks—

(A) to facilitate the understanding of the role of wildlife in the persistence and spread of cattle fever ticks;

(B) to develop advanced methods for eradication of cattle fever ticks, including—

(i) alternative treatment methods for cattle and other susceptible species;

(ii) field treatment for premises, including corral pens and pasture loafing areas;

(iii) methods for treatment and control on infested wildlife;

(iv) biological control agents; and

(v) new and improved vaccines;

(D) to improve management of diseases relating to cattle fever ticks that are associated with wildlife, livestock, and human health;

(E) to improve diagnostic detection of tick-infested or infected animals and pastures; and

(F) to conduct outreach to impacted ranchers, hunters, and landowners to integrate tactics and document sustainability of best practices.

(15) Laying hen and turkey research program

(16) Chronic wasting disease

(17) Algae agriculture research program

(18) Nutrient management

(19) Dryland farming agricultural systems

(20) Hop plant health initiative

(e) Pulse crop health initiative

(1) DefinitionsIn this subsection:

(A) Initiative

(B) Pulse crop

(2) EstablishmentThe Secretary shall carry out a pulse crop health competitive research and extension initiative to address the critical needs of the pulse crop industry by developing and disseminating science-based tools and information, including—

(A) research conducted with respect to pulse crops in the areas of health and nutrition, such as—

(i) pulse crop diets and the ability of such diets to reduce obesity and associated chronic disease; and

(ii) the underlying mechanisms of the health benefits of pulse crop consumption;

(B) research related to the functionality of pulse crops, such as—

(i) improving the functional properties of pulse crops and pulse crop fractions; and

(ii) developing new and innovative technologies to improve pulse crops as an ingredient in food products;

(C) research conducted with respect to pulse crops for purposes of enhancing sustainability and global food security, such as—

(i) improving pulse crop productivity, nutrient density, and phytonutrient span using plant breeding, genetics, and genomics;

(ii) improving pest and disease management, including resistance to pests and diseases; and

(iii) improving nitrogen fixation and water use efficiency to reduce the carbon and energy footprint of agriculture;

(D) the optimization of systems used in producing pulse crops to reduce water usage; and

(E) education and technical assistance programs with respect to pulse crops, such as programs—

(i) providing technical expertise to help food companies include pulse crops in innovative and healthy food; and

(ii) establishing an educational program to encourage pulse crop consumption in the United States.

(3) Administration

(4) PrioritiesIn making competitive grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide a higher priority to projects that—

(A) are multistate, multiinstitutional, and multidisciplinary; and

(B) include explicit mechanisms to communicate results to the pulse crop industry and the public.

(5) Authorization of appropriations

(f) Training coordination for food and agriculture protection

(1) In general

(2) Eligibility

(A) In generalFor purposes of this subsection, an eligible entity is a multiinstitutional consortium that includes—

(i) a nonprofit institution that provides food safety protection training; and

(ii) one or more training centers in institutions of higher education (as defined in section 1001 of title 20) that have demonstrated expertise in developing and delivering community-based training in food supply and agricultural safety and defense.

(B) Collective consideration

(3) Duties of eligible entityAs a condition of receiving a competitive grant or entering into a contract or a cooperative agreement with the Secretary under this subsection, the eligible entity, in cooperation with the Secretary, shall establish and maintain the Network, including by—

(A) providing basic, technical, management, and leadership training (including by developing curricula) to regulatory and public health officials, producers, processors, and other agribusinesses;

(B) serving as the hub for the administration of the Network;

(C) implementing a standardized national curriculum to ensure the consistent delivery of quality training throughout the United States;

(D) building and overseeing a nationally recognized instructor cadre to ensure the availability of highly qualified instructors;

(E) reviewing training proposed through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and other relevant Federal agencies that report to the Secretary on the quality and span of proposed and existing courses;

(F) assisting Federal agencies in the implementation of food safety protection training requirements including requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), the Agricultural Act of 2014, and any provision of law amended by such Act; and

(G) performing evaluation and outcome-based studies to provide to the Secretary information on the effectiveness and impact of training and metrics on jurisdictions and sectors within the food safety system.

(4) Membership

(5) Authorization of appropriations

(g) Pollinator protection

(1) Research and extension

(A) GrantsResearch and extension grants may be made under this section—

(i) to survey and collect data on bee colony production and health;

(ii) to investigate pollinator biology, immunology, ecology, genomics, and bioinformatics;

(iii) to conduct research on various factors that may be contributing to or associated with colony collapse disorder, and other serious threats to the health of honey bees and other pollinators, including—(I) parasites and pathogens of pollinators; and(II) the sublethal effects of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides on honey bees and native and managed pollinators;

(iv) to develop mitigative and preventative measures to improve native and managed pollinator health; and

(v) to promote the health of honey bees and native pollinators through habitat conservation and best management practices.

(B) Authorization of appropriations

(2) Department of Agriculture capacity and infrastructure

(A) In generalThe Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, increase the capacity and infrastructure of the Department—

(i) to address colony collapse disorder and other long-term threats to pollinator health, including the hiring of additional personnel; and

(ii) to conduct research on colony collapse disorder and other pollinator issues at the facilities of the Department.

(B) Authorization of appropriations

(3) Honey bee surveillance

(4) Enhanced coordination of honeybee and pollinator research

(A) In general

(B) DutiesIn carrying out subparagraph (A), the Chief Scientist shall—

(i) assign an individual to serve in the Office of the Chief Scientist as a Honeybee and Pollinator Research Coordinator who shall be responsible for leading the efforts of the Chief Scientist in carrying out such subparagraph;

(ii) implement and coordinate pollinator health research efforts of the Department, as recommended by the Pollinator Health Task Force;

(iii) establish annual strategic priorities and goals for the Department for native and managed pollinator research;

(iv) communicate such priorities and goals to each agency or office of the Department of Agriculture, the managed pollinator industry, and relevant grant recipients under programs administered by the Secretary; and

(v) coordinate and identify all research on native and managed pollinator health needed and conducted by the Department of Agriculture and relevant grant recipients under programs administered by the Secretary to ensure consistency and reduce unintended duplication of effort.

(C) ResearchIn coordinating research activities under subparagraph (A), the Chief Scientist shall ensure that such research—

(i) identifies and addresses the multiple stressors on pollinator health, including pests and pathogens, reduced habitat, lack of nutritional resources, and exposure to pesticides;

(ii) evaluates stewardship and management practices of managed pollinators that would impact managed pollinator health;

(iii) documents the prevalence of major pests, such as varroa destructor (commonly referred to as the varroa mite), and diseases that are transported between States through practices involving managed pollinators;

(iv) evaluates the impact of overcrowding of colonies for pollination services and the impact of such overcrowding on pollinator health status and pollinator health recovery;

(v) evaluates and reports on the health differences of managed pollinators in—(I) crops not requiring contract pollination;(II) crops requiring contract pollination; and(III) native habitat;

(vi) evaluates the impact of horticultural and agricultural pest management practices on native and managed pollinator colonies in diverse agroecosystems;

(vii) documents pesticide residues that are—(I) found in native and managed pollinator colonies; and(II) associated with typical localized commercial crop pest management practices;

(viii) with respect to native and managed pollinator colonies visiting crops for crop pollination or honey production purposes, documents—(I) the strength and health of such colonies;(II) the survival, growth, reproduction, and production of such colonies;(III) pests, pathogens, and viruses that affect such colonies;(IV) environmental conditions of such colonies;(V) beekeeper practices; and(VI) any other relevant information, as determined by the Chief Scientist;

(ix) documents, with respect to healthy populations of managed pollinators, best management practices and other practices for managed pollinators and crop managers;

(x) evaluates the effectiveness of—(I) conservation practices that target the specific needs of native and managed pollinator habitats;(II) incentives that allow for the expansion of native and managed pollinator forage acreage; and(III) managed pollinator breeding practices and efforts to, with respect to managed pollinators, avoid creating a genetic bottleneck and improve genetic diversity;

(xi) in the case of commercially managed pollinator colonies, continues to gather data—(I) on an annual basis with respect to losses of such colonies, splits of such colonies, and the total number of pollinator colonies;(II) on rising input costs; and(III) overall economic value to the food economy; and

(xii) addresses any other issue relating to native and managed pollinators, as determined by the Chief Scientist, in consultation with scientific experts.

(D) PublicationThe Chief Scientist, to the maximum extent practicable, shall—

(i) make publicly available the results of the research described in subparagraph (C); and

(ii) in the case of the research described in subparagraph (C)(vi), publish any data or reports that were produced by the Department of Agriculture but not made publicly available during the period beginning on January 1, 2008, and ending on December 20, 2018.

(5) ConsultationThe Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall publish guidance on enhancing pollinator health and the long-term viability of populations of pollinators, including recommendations related to—

(A) allowing for managed honey bees to forage on National Forest System lands where compatible with other natural resource management priorities; and

(B) planting and maintaining managed honey bee and native pollinator foraging on National Forest System lands where compatible with other natural resource management priorities.

(6) Annual report on response to honey bee colony collapse disorderThe Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate an annual report—

(A) describing the progress made by the Department of Agriculture in—

(i) investigating the cause or causes of honey bee colony collapse and honey bee health disorders;

(ii) finding appropriate strategies, including best management practices 1

1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

to reduce colony loss; and

(iii) addressing the decline of managed honey bees and native pollinators;

(B) assessing Federal efforts to mitigate pollinator losses and threats to the United States commercial beekeeping industry; and

(C) providing recommendations to Congress regarding how to better coordinate Federal agency efforts to address the decline of managed honey bees and native pollinators.

(h) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XVI, § 1672, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3770; Pub. L. 102–237, title IV, §§ 406, 407(11), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1864, 1865; Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, §§ 836, 863, 888, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1169, 1174, 1180; Pub. L. 105–185, title II, § 242, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 549; Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, §§ 7119, 7208(b), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 434, 442; Pub. L. 108–465, title III, § 302, Dec. 21, 2004, 118 Stat. 3885; Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, §§ 7203, 7204, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1233; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, §§ 7203, 7204, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1994; Pub. L. 113–79, title VII, §§ 7128(b)(2)(C), 7209, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 879, 881; Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, §§ 7209, 7614(b)(2)(C), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4806, 4834.)