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S 1804 IS
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1804
To enhance the ability of the United States to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to agriculture and food emergencies.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 17, 2007
Mr. BURR (for himself and Ms. COLLINS) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
A BILL
To enhance the ability of the United States to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to agriculture and food emergencies.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `National Agriculture and Food Defense Act of 2007'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Senses of Congress.
TITLE I--NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZATION, AND PLANNING
Sec. 101. Agriculture and food defense leadership, organization, and functions.
Sec. 102. Leadership of the Department of Homeland Security.
Sec. 103. Leadership in the Department of Agriculture.
Sec. 104. Leadership in the Department of Health and Human Services.
Sec. 105. National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy.
Sec. 106. National Veterinary Stockpile Advisory Committee.
Sec. 107. Submission of integrated food defense budget.
TITLE II--STATE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE ACTIVITIES
Sec. 201. State agriculture and food defense activities.
Sec. 202. Agricultural Biosecurity Corps.
TITLE III--PARTNERSHIPS WITH PRIVATE SECTOR
Sec. 301. Coordinating councils.
TITLE IV--NATIONAL DETECTION, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY LABORATORY NETWORKS
Sec. 401. National detection, response, and recovery laboratory networks.
Sec. 402. Integration of networks.
Sec. 403. On-site rapid diagnostic tools.
TITLE V--DECONTAMINATION AND DISPOSAL
Sec. 501. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 502. Decontamination and disposal standards and plans.
Sec. 503. Rural rendering capacity building.
Sec. 504. Study relating to food irradiation.
SEC. 2. SENSES OF CONGRESS.
(a) Sense of Congress Regarding National Security- It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the agriculture and food system in the United States is a fundamental element--
(A) of the national security of the United States;
(B) of the stability of the national economy; and
(C) in the production of raw materials and energy in the United States; and
(2) to protect the national security of the United States, the United States should protect and defend the agriculture and food system in the United States.
(b) Sense of Congress Regarding One Medicine- It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) many infectious diseases affect both humans and animals, and a significant number of those diseases cross over between the 2 different populations; and
(2) to protect the human and animal health of the United States, the United States should develop a unified human and veterinary approach against infectious diseases that--
(A) anticipates disease evolution; and
(c) Sense of Congress Regarding Vulnerability- It is the sense of Congress that the agriculture and food system in the United States is vulnerable to diseases, pests, and poisonous agents that--
(2) are unintentionally introduced; or
(3) are intentionally introduced by acts of terrorism.
(d) Sense of Congress Regarding Impact- It is the sense of Congress that the agriculture and food system in the United States is an extensive, open, interconnected, diverse, and complex structure that provides potential targets for acts of terrorism that could have catastrophic human health and economic impacts.
(e) Sense of Congress Regarding Human Health- It is the sense of Congress that the health of the citizens of the United States is vulnerable to an attack on the agriculture and food system because--
(1) certain animal diseases can affect humans;
(2) animal populations can--
(A) become reservoirs of disease; and
(B) be used as amplifiers for the promotion of human disease;
(3) food systems can become delivery mechanisms for diseases and poisonous agents; and
(4) a highly contagious animal disease could seriously disrupt the food supply of the United States.
(f) Sense of Congress Regarding Layered Defenses- It is the sense of Congress that Federal, State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector have a joint responsibility to collaboratively defend and protect the agriculture and food system in the United States through layered defenses established at the Federal, State, and local levels.
(g) Sense of Congress Regarding Policy- It is the sense of Congress that the United States should protect the agriculture and food system from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies by--
(1) identifying and prioritizing critical infrastructure and key resources to establish protection requirements;
(2) developing awareness and early warning capabilities to recognize threats to the infrastructure and resources;
(3) mitigating vulnerabilities of the infrastructure and resources at critical production and processing nodes;
(4) enhancing screening procedures for domestic and imported products;
(5) enhancing capabilities to track and trace domestic and imported products; and
(6) enhancing response and recovery procedures.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
(1) ABCORPS- The term `ABCorps' means the Agricultural Biosecurity Corps carried out by the Secretary of Agriculture under section 202(a).
(2) ADMINISTRATOR- The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(3) ADVISORY COMMITTEE- The term `Advisory Committee' means the National Veterinary Stockpile Advisory Committee established under section 106(a).
(4) AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE- The term `agriculture and food defense' means the protection against, preparation for, and response to an intentional attack, adulteration, or contamination of, an agriculture or food product by a chemical, biological, or radiological agent, or other manmade incident or intentional act that affects marketing, processing, or transportation within the agriculture and food system.
(5) ASSISTANT SECRETARY- The term `Assistant Secretary' means the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs of the Department.
(6) COUNCIL- The term `council' means a Regional Agriculture and Food Defense Continuity of Business Council established by an appropriate State authority under section 201(d)(3)(A).
(7) CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE- The term `critical infrastructure' has the meaning given the term in section 1016(e) of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e)).
(8) DEPARTMENT- The term `Department' means the Department of Homeland Security.
(9) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
(10) EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROVIDERS- The term `emergency response providers' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101).
(11) FOREIGN ANIMAL DISEASE- The term `foreign animal disease' means a transmissible livestock, poultry, or emerging animal disease that, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture--
(A) is not naturally occurring in the United States (including any territory of the United States); and
(B) has the potential to significantly impact--
(i) the health of the citizens of the United States; or
(ii) the economy of the United States.
(12) HSPD-9- The term `HSPD-9' means the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 9, dated January 30, 2004 (relating to the establishment of a national policy to defend the agriculture and food system against terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies) or any successor policy.
(13) KEY RESOURCES- The term `key resources' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101).
(14) NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM- The term `National Incident Management System' means the system developed pursuant to section 504(a)(5) the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 314(a)(5)).
(15) NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN- The term `National Response Plan' means the plan developed pursuant to section 504(a)(6) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 314(a)(6)).
(16) PROGRAM- The term `program' means the Department of Homeland Security Agriculture and Food Defense Rotational Expertise Program established under section 102(b).
(17) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Homeland Security.
(18) SECRETARY CONCERNED- The term `Secretary concerned' means a group comprised of--
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture;
(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(19) STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE- The term `Strategic National Stockpile' means the stockpile maintained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319F-2(a)(1) of the Public Service Health Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(a)(1)).
(20) STRATEGY- The term `strategy' means the National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy developed under section 105(a)(1).
(21) UNDER SECRETARY- The term `Under Secretary' means the individual appointed to the position of Under Secretary for Protection, Preparedness, and Response established by section 103(a).
TITLE I--NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZATION, AND PLANNING
SEC. 101. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZATION, AND FUNCTIONS.
(a) Leadership- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall lead, coordinate, and integrate, to the maximum extent practicable, efforts by Federal departments and agencies, State, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector to enhance the protection of critical infrastructure and key resources of the United States, including the critical infrastructure and key resources of the agriculture and food system.
(b) Specific Sectors- In accordance with guidance provided by the Secretary under subsection (a)--
(1) the Secretary of Agriculture shall serve as the lead Federal official for efforts described in subsection (a) relating to agriculture and meat, poultry, and egg food products;
(2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall serve as the lead Federal official for efforts described in subsection (a) relating to food products other than meat, poultry, and egg products; and
(3) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall serve as the lead Federal official for efforts described in subsection (a) relating to drinking water and waste water treatment systems.
SEC. 102. LEADERSHIP OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
(a) Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs- Section 516 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 321e) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by adding at the end `and assistant secretary for health affairs';
(2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
`(1) IN GENERAL- There shall serve in the Department a Chief Medical Officer, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
`(2) STATUS- The Chief Medical Officer shall have the rank of, and serve as, Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs.';
(3) in subsection (b), by striking `Chief Medical Officer' and inserting `Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs';
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking `Chief Medical Officer' and inserting `Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs'; and
(ii) by inserting `, human, and animal health' after `medical';
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking `and' at the end;
(C) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (9); and
(D) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
`(A) the principal advisor to the Secretary on issues relating to agriculture and food defense;
`(B) the primary point of contact of the Department on issues relating to agriculture and food defense with--
`(i) the Department of Agriculture;
`(ii) the Department of Health and Human Services;
`(iii) the Environmental Protection Agency;
`(iv) other Federal departments and agencies;
`(v) State, local, and tribal governments; and
`(vi) the private sector;
`(8) providing leadership and ensuring coordination of the activities of the Department relating to agriculture and food defense; and'; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
`(d) Continuation of Service of Current Official- An individual serving as the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs as of the date of enactment of the National Agriculture and Food Defense Act of 2007, or an individual who is appointed to the position of acting Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs, may continue to serve until the date on which an Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs is appointed after the date of enactment of the National Agriculture and Food Defense Act of 2007.'.
(b) Department of Homeland Security Agriculture and Food Defense Rotational Expertise Program-
(1) ESTABLISHMENT- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, shall establish and carry out the Department of Homeland Security Agriculture and Food Defense Rotational Expertise Program--
(A) to build partnerships with each entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (2); and
(B) to assist in carrying out the agriculture and food defense activities of the Department.
(2) DETAILING OF EXPERTS- In carrying out the program, the Assistant Secretary, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, shall facilitate, on a rotating basis, the detailing of experts on issues relating to agriculture and food defense to the Department, including experts from--
(A) other Federal agencies, including--
(i) the Department of Health and Human Services; and
(ii) the Department of Agriculture;
(B) State and local agriculture and food agencies; and
(3) ENCOURAGEMENT OF CERTAIN EXPERTS- In carrying out the program, the Assistant Secretary shall encourage experts from each entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (2) to participate in the program.
SEC. 103. LEADERSHIP IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
(a) Establishment- There is established in the Department of Agriculture the position of Under Secretary for Protection, Preparedness, and Response to lead, enhance, and coordinate the activities of the Department of Agriculture relating to--
(1) homeland security; and
(2) agriculture and food defense.
(b) Confirmation- The Under Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(c) Duties- The Under Secretary shall--
(A) the principal advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture on any issue relating to Federal, State, or local agriculture or food defense activities; and
(B) the primary point of contact of the Department of Agriculture for any issue relating to homeland security and agriculture and food defense;
(2) on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture--
(A) develop and manage the portions of the budget of the Department of Agriculture relating to--
(i) homeland security; and
(ii) agriculture and food defense;
(B) provide guidance to, and coordinate the activities of, the Department of Agriculture on any issue relating to homeland security and agriculture and food defense;
(C) coordinate integrated Federal, State, local, and tribal governmental responses to outbreaks of--
(i) highly contagious or economically devastating animal diseases;
(ii) highly infective exotic plant diseases; and
(iii) economically devastating plant pest infestations; and
(D) coordinate activities of the Department of Agriculture to ensure the safety and security of meat, poultry, and egg food products following a potential or actual incident covered by the National Response Plan (or a successor plan);
(3) integrate the agriculture and food defense activities of the Department of Agriculture (including surveillance of animal and zoonotic diseases) with--
(B) the Department of Health and Human Services;
(C) other Federal agencies;
(D) State and local agriculture and food agencies; and
(E) members of the private sector; and
(4) perform any other duty assigned to the Under Secretary by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report that provides--
(A) a concept of operations plan that details the manner by which the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Under Secretary, shall operationally coordinate and manage the activities of the Department of Agriculture relating to--
(i) homeland security; and
(ii) agriculture and food defense; and
(B) a description of each management goal, proposed modification of the structure of the Department of Agriculture, and proposed action to be taken by the Secretary of Agriculture to complete a transition of the Department of Agriculture from the traditional focus of the Department of Agriculture relating to safety and the safeguarding of agriculture and food to a focus that enhances the traditional focus with a new emphasis on--
(i) homeland security; and
(ii) agriculture and food defense.
(2) ONE MEDICINE REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report that describes the status of efforts to integrate activities of the Department of Agriculture relating to animal health, agriculture, and human health with similar activities of--
(B) the Department of Health and Human Services; and
(C) the Environmental Protection Agency.
(e) Executive Schedule- Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`Under Secretary for Protection, Preparedness, and Response.'.
SEC. 104. LEADERSHIP IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
Section 313 of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8319) is amended to read as follows:
`SEC. 313. SURVEILLANCE OF ZOONOTIC DISEASES.
`(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services (acting through the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Director of the National Institutes of Health), in collaboration with the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Under Secretary for Protection, Preparedness, and Response and the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) shall coordinate the surveillance of zoonotic diseases that could potentially cause a significant impact on public health.
`(b) Integration- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall integrate, to the maximum extent practicable, activities of the Department of Health and Human services relating to animal health, agriculture, and human health with similar activities of--
`(2) the Department of Agriculture.'.
SEC. 105. NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE STRATEGY.
(a) Development and Submission of Strategy-
(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall prepare and submit to the relevant committees of Congress the National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy.
(2) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN- The strategy shall include an implementation plan for use by the Secretaries concerned in carrying out the strategy.
(3) RESEARCH- The strategy shall include a coordinated research agenda for use by the Secretaries concerned in conducting research to support the goals and activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b).
(4) REVISIONS- Not later than 4 years after the date on which the strategy is submitted to the relevant committees of Congress under paragraph (1), and not less frequently than every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall revise and submit to the relevant committees of Congress the strategy.
(5) CONSISTENCY WITH EXISTING PLANS- The strategy described in paragraph (1) shall be consistent with--
(B) the National Incident Management System;
(C) the National Response Plan;
(D) the National Infrastructure Protection Plan;
(E) the National Preparedness Goals; and
(F) other relevant national strategies.
(A) IN GENERAL- The strategy shall include a description of the process to be used by the Department, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Health and Human Services--
(i) to achieve each goal described in subparagraphs (B) through (E); and
(ii) to evaluate the progress made by Federal, State, local, and tribal governments towards the achievement of each goal described in subparagraphs (B) through (E).
(B) PREPAREDNESS GOAL- Enhance the preparedness of the agriculture and food system by--
(i) conducting vulnerability assessments of the agriculture and food system;
(ii) identifying any unmet agricultural security need;
(iii) mitigating vulnerabilities of the system;
(iv) improving communication and training relating to the system;
(v) increasing the awareness of, and the ability to identify, foreign animal diseases;
(vi) developing and conducting exercises to test decontamination and disposal plans;
(vii) developing modeling tools to improve event consequence assessment and decision support; and
(viii) preparing risk communication tools and enhancing public awareness through outreach.
(C) DETECTION GOAL- Improve agriculture and food system detection capabilities by--
(i) identifying contamination in food products;
(ii) conducting surveillance for foreign animal diseases in livestock, other animal populations, and foreign plant pathogens in major crops; and
(iii) working with the private sector to implement on-farm biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of diseases.
(D) EMERGENCY RESPONSE GOAL- Ensure an efficient response to agriculture and food emergencies by--
(i) immediately investigating animal disease outbreaks and suspected food contamination;
(ii) preventing additional human illnesses;
(iii) organizing, training, and equipping animal, plant, and food emergency response teams of--
(I) the Federal Government; and
(II) State, local, and tribal governments;
(iv) designing, developing, and evaluating training and exercises carried out under agriculture and food defense plans; and
(v) ensuring consistent and organized risk communication to the public by--
(I) the Federal Government;
(II) State, local, and tribal governments; and
(III) the private sector.
(E) RECOVERY GOAL- Secure agriculture and food production after an agriculture or food emergency by--
(i) working with the private sector to develop business recovery plans to rapidly resume agriculture and food production;
(ii) conducting exercises of the plans described in subparagraph (D) with the goal of long-term recovery results;
(iii) rapidly removing, and effectively disposing of--
(I) contaminated agriculture and food products; and
(II) infected plants and animals; and
(iv) decontaminating and restoring areas affected by an agriculture or food emergency.
(A) IN GENERAL- In preparing and implementing the strategy, the Secretaries concerned shall carry out each of the activities described subparagraphs (B) through (D).
(B) NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS, MITIGATION, AND RESPONSE-
(i) VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS-
(I) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall expand and continue to carry out vulnerability assessments of the agriculture and food system.
(II) UPDATES- An assessment under subclause (I) shall be updated not less frequently than once every 2 years.
(ii) MITIGATION STRATEGIES-
(I) IN GENERAL- The Secretary and the Attorney General of the United States, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Administrator, the Director of National Intelligence, and the heads of other appropriate Federal departments and agencies, shall prioritize, develop, and implement, as appropriate, mitigation strategies to protect vulnerable critical nodes of production and processing from the introduction of diseases, pests, and poisonous agents.
(II) SCREENING- To maximize the effectiveness of domestic inspection activities of food items in the United States, the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall--
(aa) continue to expand the development and use of common screening and inspection procedures for agriculture and food items entering the United States; and
(bb) maximize effective domestic inspection activities relating to food items located in the United States.
(I) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Attorney General of the United States, and the Administrator, shall ensure that combined Federal, State, and local response capabilities are adequate to respond quickly and effectively to--
(aa) a terrorist attack affecting the agriculture and food system in the United States;
(bb) a major disease outbreak affecting the national agriculture and food system in the United States; and
(cc) any other disaster affecting the national agriculture and food system in the United States.
(II) STANDARDIZED RESPONSE PLAN- The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Attorney General of the United States, and the Administrator, shall develop a coordinated agriculture and food-specific standardized response plan to be integrated into the National Response Plan.
(iv) RECOVERY SYSTEMS- The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Administrator, shall enhance recovery systems in the United States that, as determined by the Secretary, are able to--
(I) stabilize agricultural production, food supply, and the United States economy;
(II) rapidly remove, and effectively dispose of, contaminated agriculture or food products or infected plants or animals; and
(III) decontaminate affected premises.
(C) NATIONAL VETERINARY STOCKPILE-
(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary, and in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, State, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector, shall develop a national veterinary stockpile that, to the maximum extent practicable--
(I) is capable of deployment within 24 hours of an outbreak of animal disease;
(II) is carried out in coordination with the Strategic National Stockpile, including by using mechanisms, capabilities, and infrastructure that have been developed for the management, storage, and distribution of the Strategic National Stockpile; and
(III) contains sufficient quantities of animal vaccine, antiviral treatments, and therapeutic products to appropriately respond to the most damaging animal diseases affecting human health or the economy.
(ii) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subparagraph--
(I) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
(II) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
(D) NATIONAL PLANT DISEASE RECOVERY SYSTEM-
(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary, and in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Administrator, State, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector, shall develop a national plant disease recovery system that, to the maximum extent practicable--
(I) is capable of responding to a high-consequence plant disease through--
(aa) pest control measures; and
(bb) the use of resistant seed varieties within a single growing season to sustain at least a reasonable level of production for economically important crops;
(aa) the genetic resources contained in the national plant germplasm system; and
(bb) the scientific capabilities of the Federal-State-industry agricultural research and extension system; and
(III) includes emergency planning for the use of resistant seed varieties and other methods and measures (including pesticide control measures) to prevent, slow, or stop the spread of a high-consequence plant disease.
(ii) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subparagraph--
(I) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
(II) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
(3) EVALUATION OF PROGRESS- The strategy prepared by the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, under subsection (a)(1) shall include an evaluation of any progress relating to the carrying out of the activities described in subparagraphs (B) through (D) of paragraph (2).
SEC. 106. NATIONAL VETERINARY STOCKPILE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary, and in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, State, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector, shall establish the National Veterinary Stockpile Advisory Committee.
(b) Membership- The Advisory Committee shall be composed of members from--
(1) the Department, including the Assistant Secretary;
(2) the Department of Health and Human Services, including--
(A) the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response;
(B) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
(C) the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration; and
(D) the Director of the National Institutes of Health;
(3) State and local governments; and
(c) Classification- The Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that each member of the Advisory Committee obtains the necessary security clearance to provide for full consideration of available threat and vulnerability information.
(d) Meetings- The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the chairperson, but not less often than biannually.
(e) Chairperson- The Secretary of Agriculture (or a designee) shall serve as the chairperson for the Advisory Committee.
(f) Duties- The Advisory Committee shall--
(1) review each current and proposed animal vaccination policy and therapeutic policy of the Department of Agriculture relating to the National Veterinary Stockpile;
(2) evaluate threat assessment information with respect to biological, chemical, and radiological threats to the agriculture system;
(3) review the contents of the National Veterinary Stockpile and, based on the evaluation of threat assessment information conducted by the Advisory Committee under paragraph (2), identify high-priority gaps in the National Veterinary Stockpile;
(4) at least annually, submit to the Secretary of Agriculture recommendations relating to--
(A) any proposed modification to--
(i) each current and proposed animal vaccination policy and therapeutic policy of the Department of Agriculture under paragraph (1); and
(ii) the contents of the National Veterinary Stockpile;
(B) the development of a coordinated research agenda to address each high-priority gap identified under paragraph (3); and
(C) the manner by which to strengthen through partnership, and improve coordination and minimize duplication of--
(i) the National Veterinary Stockpile; and
(ii) the Strategic National Stockpile; and
(5) examine any other relevant issue, as determined by--
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture;
(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.
SEC. 107. SUBMISSION OF INTEGRATED FOOD DEFENSE BUDGET.
(a) In General- Consistent with HSPD-9, the Secretaries concerned shall submit to the Director with the annual budget submissions of the Secretaries concerned an integrated budget plan for the defense of the food system of the United States.
(b) Inclusion of Budget Plan- Subject to the approval of the President, the Director shall include in the budget of the President the budget plan submitted by the Secretaries concerned under subsection (a).
TITLE II--STATE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE ACTIVITIES
SEC. 201. STATE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General- To enhance the agriculture and food defense capabilities of the States, the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall provide guidance, technical assistance, and support to the States in--
(1) achieving the goals described in subparagraphs (B) through (E) of section 105(b)(1);
(2) developing and implementing demonstration projects for regional agriculture and food defense-related continuity of business plans;
(3) training State, local, and tribal agriculture, public health, and emergency management personnel in food defense; and
(4) improving communication and coordination among State departments of agriculture and the Federal Government through workforce development.
(b) Assistance to States- In carrying out subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall provide guidance and technical assistance to States in planning, training, and conducting exercises to test State agriculture and food defense capabilities to achieve the goals described in subparagraphs (B) through (E) of section 105(b)(1).
(c) Funding- Section 1014(b) of the USA PATRIOT Act (42 U.S.C. 3714(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`Grants made under subsection (a) may also be used by a State to carry out an activity under section 201 of the National Agriculture and Food Defense Act of 2007.'.
(d) Regional Agriculture and Food Defense Continuity of Business Demonstration Project-
(1) IN GENERAL- In carrying out subsection (a)(2), the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Under Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary, State departments of agriculture, State emergency programs, and State departments of health, shall enter into cooperative agreements with appropriate State authorities to assist States in achieving the goals described in subparagraphs (B) through (E) of section 105(b)(1).
(2) REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS- The cooperative agreements described in paragraph (1) shall--
(A) represent regions, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary; and
(B) collectively cover each State in the United States.
(3) DUTIES OF STATE AUTHORITIES- A State authority that enters into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary of Agriculture under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) establish and coordinate a Regional Agriculture and Food Defense Continuity of Business Council;
(B) develop and implement a regional agriculture and food defense continuity of business plan;
(C) develop and implement a geographic information system for documenting the entire agriculture and food infrastructure within the region and the identification of the most critical components of such infrastructure; and
(D) not less frequently than once each year--
(i) submit to the Food and Agriculture Government Coordinating Council and the Food and Agriculture Sector Coordinating Council established under subsections (a)(1) and (b)(1) of section 301 a report describing the activities carried out under the plan under subparagraph (B);
(ii) conduct a regional exercise or drill to test the plan under subparagraph (B); and
(iii) make such modifications to the plan as the State authority determines to be necessary, taking into consideration the results of the exercise.
(4) COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL- A council described in paragraph (3)(A) shall be composed of representatives from--
(A) State and local departments of agriculture from each State located in the region, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, in which the State of the State authority is located;
(B) homeland security and emergency management programs from any State described in subparagraph (A);
(C) State and local departments of health from any State described in subparagraph (A); and
(D) the private sector from any State described in subparagraph (A).
(5) AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE CONTINUITY OF BUSINESS PLAN- Each council described in paragraph (3)(A) shall develop a model plan that--
(i) the National Infrastructure Protection Plan;
(ii) the National Response Plan;
(iii) the National Incident Management System;
(iv) the National Preparedness Goals; and
(v) other relevant national strategies;
(i) methods to prevent, or minimize the spread of, public health consequences or economic losses associated with--
(I) animal disease outbreaks;
(II) plant disease outbreaks or pest infestations; and
(III) incidents of food contamination;
(ii) the specific roles and responsibilities of public and private stakeholders in planning and preparing for, responding to, and recovering from, an agriculture or food emergency; and
(iii) vulnerabilities in the applicable regional agriculture and food system;
(C) improves the preparedness of the region (including the private sector) to address identified agriculture and food system-related threats and vulnerabilities; and
(D) ensures effective preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery capabilities for any threat that could have a significant adverse impact on the agriculture and food system.
(6) USE OF FUNDS- To carry out any activity described in this subsection, a State may use amounts made available to the State under a cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) to hire 1 or more State employees.
(7) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $60,000,000 for the period fiscal years 2008 through 2013.
(e) State Training for Food Defense-
(1) IN GENERAL- In carrying out the training of State, local, and tribal agriculture, public health, emergency response providers, and emergency management personnel under subsection (a)(3), the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Under Secretary, shall enter into a cooperative agreement with a national organization representing State departments of agriculture--
(A) to educate State agriculture, public health, and emergency management personnel on issues relating to food defense; and
(B) to ensure consistent planning and coordination among the Federal Government, States, and the private sector relating to food defense.
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
(f) State Agriculture and Food Defense Liaison Officers-
(1) IN GENERAL- To improve communication and coordination among State departments of agriculture and the Federal Government under subsection (a)(4), the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Under Secretary, shall establish a pilot program to hire and assign State liaison officers to work in eligible State departments of agriculture, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, to serve as liaisons (with respect to issues relating to deliberate, accidental, or natural catastrophic agriculture and food emergencies) between--
(A) the Department of Agriculture; and
(B) the State department of agriculture to which a State liaison officer is assigned.
(2) COORDINATION- The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Under Secretary, shall, to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate the placement of each epidemiological fellow assigned to an eligible State department of agriculture under section 202(b)(1)(C) with a State liaison officer hired under paragraph (1).
(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--
(A) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
(B) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.
SEC. 202. AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY CORPS.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Under Secretary for Protection, Preparedness, and Response, in cooperation with State departments of agriculture and State chief veterinary medical officers, shall carry out a program, to be known as the `Agricultural Biosecurity Corps', to develop veterinary leaders at the Federal, State, and local levels with epidemiological expertise who can recognize and respond to agents and events that pose significant threats to animal agriculture.
(2) MODEL- In establishing the ABCorps under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture shall use as a model the Epidemic Intelligence Service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
(b) Epidemiology Fellows-
(1) IN GENERAL- In carrying out the ABCorps program under subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture, in cooperation with State departments of agriculture and State chief veterinary medical officers, may enter into agreements with graduate veterinarians--
(A) to be epidemiology fellows within the ABCorps;
(B) to be initially trained in veterinary epidemiology, animal agriculture disease surveillance, and emergency program management at a college of veterinary medicine, in coordination with an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Regional Office of Veterinary Services; and
(C) to be assigned to train and work on a temporary basis at an eligible State department of agriculture, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(2) APPLICATION- To be eligible to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Agriculture under paragraph (1), a graduate veterinarian shall submit to the Secretary of Agriculture an application at such time, and in such manner, as the Secretary may require.
(c) Training of Epidemiology Fellows- To provide for the training of eligible epidemiology fellows under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary of Agriculture shall enter into a contract with a college of veterinary medicine that--
(1) is comprised of faculty members who have expertise relating to veterinary epidemiology in each major livestock commodity;
(2) is located in a State with diverse livestock from each commodity; and
(3) will conduct such training in collaboration with a State department of agriculture that has expertise relating to--
(A) emergency program management; and
(B) the use of geographic information systems for emergency preparedness and response.
(d) Assignment of Epidemiology Fellows-
(1) IN GENERAL- Epidemiology fellows shall be assigned to eligible State departments of agriculture, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with--
(A) State departments of agriculture; and
(B) State chief veterinary medical officers.
(2) ELIGIBILITY OF STATE DEPARTMENTS- An epidemiology fellow may be assigned by the Secretary of Agriculture to a State department of agriculture if the State department of agriculture submits to the Secretary of Agriculture a written commitment to mentor and train the epidemiology fellow to meet each training benchmark of the ABCorps.
(3) DUTIES OF ASSIGNMENT- An epidemiology fellow assigned to a State department of agriculture under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) in cooperation with State and local veterinarians, assist in the diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of animal diseases;
(B) in cooperation with relevant State and local animal and agriculture response teams, assist in the preparation for, response to, and recovery from, deliberate, accidental, or natural catastrophic animal disease outbreaks or other events that threaten the health and economic viability of animal agriculture; and
(C) contribute to State efforts to improve animal agriculture biosecurity.
(4) ENCOURAGEMENT OF PARTICIPATION- On the date on which any epidemiological fellow completes the assignment of the epidemiological fellow to a State department of agriculture under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall encourage the epidemiological fellow--
(A) to serve as a State Agriculture and Food Defense Liaison Officer under section 201(f); and
(B) to participate in the National Disaster Medical System, as operated under section 2812(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-11(a)(1)).
(e) Report- Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report that contains, at a minimum, an evaluation of the ABCorps.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
(g) Termination of Authority-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), the program under this section shall terminate on a date that occurs not later than 5 years after the date on which the Secretary of Agriculture first enters into a contract with the college of veterinary medicine under subsection (c).
(2) EXCEPTION- The Secretary of Agriculture may continue the ABCorps if the Secretary of Agriculture concludes in the report submitted by the Secretary of Agriculture under subsection (e) that the ABCorps was successful in training epidemiology fellows to become veterinary leaders who have the capacity to recognize and respond to agents and events that pose significant threats to animal agriculture.
TITLE III--PARTNERSHIPS WITH PRIVATE SECTOR
SEC. 301. COORDINATING COUNCILS.
(a) Food and Agriculture Government Coordinating Council-
(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall establish a council to be known as the `Food and Agriculture Government Coordinating Council'.
(2) COMPOSITION- The Food and Agriculture Government Coordinating Council shall be composed of appropriate representatives from Federal, State, local, and tribal governments appointed by the Secretary.
(b) Food and Agriculture Sector Coordinating Council-
(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall establish a council to be known as the `Food and Agriculture Sector Coordinating Council'.
(2) COMPOSITION- The Food and Agriculture Sector Coordinating Council shall be composed of representatives from the private sector of the agriculture and food system of the United States.
(c) Model for Establishment- The Secretary shall ensure communication and coordination between the public and private sectors with respect to information and activities of the council and shall use as a model the Overseas Security Advisory Council of the Department of State.
(d) Duties- Each council established under this section shall--
(1) through the facilitation of partnerships between public and private entities, help unify and enhance the protection of the agriculture and food system of the United States;
(2) provide for the regular and timely interchange of information between each council relating to the security of the agriculture and food system (including intelligence information);
(3) evaluate Federal, State, local, tribal, and private sector preparedness and response plans for agriculture and food defense;
(4) identify best practices standards and methods for improving the coordination among the plans described in paragraph (3);
(5)(A) conduct an annual review of each regional demonstration project described in section 201(d); and
(B) based on the results of the review, provide to the Secretaries concerned recommendations to improve the coordination and integration of Federal assistance to States for agriculture and food defense; and
(6) recommend methods by which to protect the economy and the public health of the United States from the effects of--
(A) animal or plant disease outbreaks;
(B) food contamination; and
(C) natural disasters affecting agriculture and food.
TITLE IV--NATIONAL DETECTION, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY LABORATORY NETWORKS
SEC. 401. NATIONAL DETECTION, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY LABORATORY NETWORKS.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretaries concerned shall establish the networks described in subsections (b) through (d) to provide for the sharing of information to support early detection of, rapid response to, and management of potentially catastrophic plant and animal disease outbreaks and food-related emergencies.
(2) REQUIREMENTS- The networks described in subsections (b) through (d) shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
(i) a process for decisionmaking and management;
(ii) standardized terminology, and methods for testing communication and secure electronic reporting;
(iii) a system of standardized laboratory methods;
(iv) specific criteria for approval as a member of the laboratory network;
(v) a process for ongoing laboratory accreditation, performance measurement, and accountability; and
(vi) the quantity of laboratory surge capacity needed to respond to--
(I) a catastrophic plant or animal disease outbreak; or
(II) a food-related emergency; and
(B) ensure appropriate geographic distribution of laboratory network members--
(i) to minimize the time required to travel to participating laboratories; and
(ii) to enable the rapid reporting of laboratory results.
(b) National Plant Diagnostic Network-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Administrator, and in coordination with the Secretary, State, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector, shall develop a national plant diagnostic network that, to the maximum extent practicable--
(A) provides ongoing surveillance, detection, and surge capacity for high-consequence plant diseases and pest infestations;
(B) coordinates the plant diagnostic laboratory capacities of State plant laboratories;
(C) provides accessible, timely, accurate, and consistent plant disease and pest laboratory services nationwide; and
(D) responds to high-consequence plant diseases and pest infestations.
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--
(A) $5,300,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
(B) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
(c) Food Emergency Response Network-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, State, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector, shall develop a national food emergency response network that, to the maximum extent practicable--
(A) provides ongoing surveillance, detection, and surge capacity for large-scale food-related emergencies, including an intentional attack on the food supply;
(B) coordinates the food laboratory capacities of State food laboratories;
(C) provides accessible, timely, accurate, and consistent food laboratory services throughout the United States; and
(D) responds to food-related emergencies.
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--
(A) $19,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
(B) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
(d) National Animal Health Laboratory Network-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and in coordination with the Secretary, State, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector, shall develop a national animal health laboratory network that, to the maximum extent practicable--
(A) provides ongoing surveillance, detection, and surge capacity for catastrophic animal disease outbreaks and other adverse animal health events, including deliberate attacks;
(B) coordinates the veterinary diagnostic laboratory capacities of State animal health laboratories;
(C) provides accessible, timely, accurate, and consistent animal disease laboratory services nationwide; and
(D) responds to foreign animal disease outbreaks, zoonotic diseases, and other adverse animal health events, including deliberate attacks.
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--
(A) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
(B) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
SEC. 402. INTEGRATION OF NETWORKS.
(a) In General- The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Administrator, shall establish an agreement through which the laboratory network members described in subsections (b) through (d) of section 401 and any other appropriate network, as determined by the Secretary, could--
(1) agree on common laboratory methods for the sharing of knowledge and information relating to animal health, agriculture, and human health;
(2) identify the means by which each laboratory network member could work cooperatively--
(A) to optimize national laboratory preparedness; and
(B) to provide surge capacity during emergencies; and
(3) engage in ongoing dialogue and build relationships that will support a more effective and integrated response during emergencies.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
SEC. 403. ON-SITE RAPID DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS.
(a) Development- The Secretary of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall develop on-site rapid diagnostic tools to enable rapid diagnosis of an animal or plant disease outbreak at the site of such an outbreak.
(b) Validation Testing of Tools- In developing on-site rapid diagnostic tools under subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall conduct rigorous validation testing to ensure that each tool--
(1) properly responds to each disease for which the tool was developed; and
(2) will work properly when administered in the field by individuals who possess varying degrees of expertise.
TITLE V--DECONTAMINATION AND DISPOSAL
SEC. 501. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) an effective response to and recovery from an agriculture or food emergency may include--
(A) the disposal of a large quantity of animals, plants, or contaminated food products; or
(B) the decontamination of areas impacted by the emergency;
(2) most decontamination and disposal actions are handled by State and local governments, rather than by the Federal Government;
(3) the Federal Government, in collaboration with State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector, should conduct detailed decontamination and disposal planning for specific agriculture and food emergency scenarios; and
(4) increasing rendering capacity may--
(A) provide needed animal disposal surge capacity following an outbreak of catastrophic animal disease; and
(B) be used for the production of energy, including the production of biofuels.
SEC. 502. DECONTAMINATION AND DISPOSAL STANDARDS AND PLANS.
(a) In General- The Administrator, in coordination with the Secretaries concerned, shall provide support for, and technical assistance to, State, local, and tribal governments in rapidly assessing, decontaminating, and recovering from an agriculture or food emergency.
(b) Development of Standards- The Administrator, in coordination with the Secretaries concerned, and State, local, and tribal governments, shall develop and disseminate specific standards and protocols--
(1) to address the risk of contamination following a deliberate attack using biological or chemical weapons; and
(2) to undertake clean-up, clearance, and recovery activities following the decontamination and disposal of specific threat agents or foreign animal diseases.
(c) Development of Model Plans- The Administrator, in coordination with the Secretaries concerned, and State, local, and tribal governments, shall develop and disseminate model plans for--
(1) the decontamination of individuals, equipment, and facilities following a deliberate attack involving the use of biological or chemical weapons; and
(2) the disposal of large quantities of animals, plants, or food products that have been infected or contaminated by specific threat agents or foreign animal diseases.
(d) Requirements- The model plans developed under subsection (c) shall--
(1) be in accordance with the National Response Plan;
(2) include consideration of variations relating to the geography, personnel, and resources of States and local governments;
(3) include a detailed concept of the operations implementation plan;
(4) include consideration of the environmental impacts of the plan; and
(5) include consideration of the cost of implementation of the plan.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator, in coordination with the Secretaries concerned and State, local, and tribal governments, shall conduct exercises at least annually to evaluate and identify weaknesses in the decontamination and disposal model plans described in subsection (c).
(2) INTEGRATION WITH NATIONAL EXERCISE PROGRAM- Any exercise conducted by the Administrator, in coordination with the Secretaries concerned and State, local, and tribal governments, shall be carried out, to the maximum extent practicable, as part of the national exercise program under section 648(b)(1) of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 748(b)(1)).
(f) Modifications- Based on the exercises described in subsection (e), the Administrator, in coordination with the Secretaries concerned and State, local, and tribal governments, shall review and modify as necessary the plans described in subsection (c) not less frequently than biannually, including--
(1) by taking into consideration any new information obtained during the preceding 2-year period;
(2) by identifying any area in which available information is insufficient; and
(3) by identifying applicable research goals.
(g) Prioritization- The Administrator, in coordination with the Secretaries concerned and State, local, and tribal governments, shall develop plans and standards under subsections (b) and (c) in an identified order of priority that takes into account--
(1) highest-risk biological and chemical threat agents;
(2) agents that could cause the greatest economic devastation to the agriculture and food system; and
(3) agents that are most difficult to clean or remediate.
(h) Dissemination- The Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, disseminate the model plans and standards developed under subsections (b) and (c) to State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector through a single internet portal.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.
SEC. 503. RURAL RENDERING CAPACITY BUILDING.
(a) Outcome Goal- The Secretary of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Administrator, the Secretary, and the private sector, shall identify an increased production capacity outcome goal for the rendering industry to meet national animal disposal surge capacity needs following a catastrophic animal disease outbreak.
(b) Loans- The Secretary of Agriculture may provide to applicants low-interest loans--
(1) to develop and expand--
(A) the production capacity of the rendering industry of the United States; and
(B) the ability of the rendering industry of the United States to provide routine animal-tissue disposal and emergency surge capacity during a catastrophic animal disease outbreak;
(2) to achieve the increased production capacity outcome goal described in subsection (a); and
(3) to be used for the production of energy, including the production of biofuels.
(c) Preference for Applicants Located in Rural Areas- In determining whether to provide to applicants low-interest loans under subsection (b), the Secretary of Agriculture shall give preference to applicants that are located in a rural area of the United States.
(d) Requirement- In providing to an applicant a low-interest loan under this section, the Secretary of Agriculture may require the applicant to enter into a memorandum of agreement to allow the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize any portion of the rendering facility of the applicant that may be needed by the Secretary of Agriculture to respond to a catastrophic animal disease outbreak, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
SEC. 504. STUDY RELATING TO FOOD IRRADIATION.
(a) In General- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Director of National Intelligence, shall enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy of Sciences shall conduct a study relating to the use of irradiation technologies to enhance food defense capabilities.
(b) Scope- In conducting the study under subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences shall--
(1) evaluate the use of irradiation technologies to minimize food as a potential target of terrorism by mitigating bioterrorism agents delivered through the food supply;
(2) weigh the financial cost to the private sector of implementing irradiation technologies against the public health benefit of enhanced food defense capabilities; and
(A) the public health benefits and risks of consuming irradiated food products; and
(B) methods by which to conduct public education activities to increase consumer confidence in irradiated food products.
(1) IN GENERAL- The National Academy of Sciences shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services a report that includes--
(A) a summary of each issue included in the study under subsection (b); and
(B) policy recommendations relating to whether the benefits of developing and implementing food irradiation technologies outweigh the costs of developing and implementing the technologies.
(2) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY- The Secretary of Agriculture shall make the report under paragraph (1) publicly available.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
END
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