S 1804 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To enhance the ability of the United States to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to agriculture and food emergencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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 AffairsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To enhance the ability of the United States to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to agriculture and food emergencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2. Senses of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 3. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZATION, AND PLANNING

Sec. 101. Agriculture and food defense leadership, organization, and functions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Leadership of the Department of Homeland Security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Leadership in the Department of Agriculture.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 104. Leadership in the Department of Health and Human Services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 105. National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 106. National Veterinary Stockpile Advisory Committee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 107. Submission of integrated food defense budget.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--STATE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE ACTIVITIES

Sec. 201. State agriculture and food defense activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 202. Agricultural Biosecurity Corps.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--PARTNERSHIPS WITH PRIVATE SECTOR

Sec. 301. Coordinating councils.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--NATIONAL DETECTION, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY LABORATORY NETWORKS

Sec. 401. National detection, response, and recovery laboratory networks.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 402. Integration of networks.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 403. On-site rapid diagnostic tools.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--DECONTAMINATION AND DISPOSAL

Sec. 501. Sense of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 502. Decontamination and disposal standards and plans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 503. Rural rendering capacity building.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 504. Study relating to food irradiation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. SENSES OF CONGRESS.

(a) Sense of Congress Regarding National Security- It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the agriculture and food system in the United States is a fundamental element--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) of the national security of the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) of the stability of the national economy; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in the production of raw materials and energy in the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Sense of Congress Regarding One Medicine- It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) many infectious diseases affect both humans and animals, and a significant number of those diseases cross over between the 2 different populations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) anticipates disease evolution; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) acts progressively.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) occur naturally;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) are unintentionally introduced; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) are intentionally introduced by acts of terrorism.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) certain animal diseases can affect humans;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) animal populations can--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) become reservoirs of disease; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) be used as amplifiers for the promotion of human disease;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) food systems can become delivery mechanisms for diseases and poisonous agents; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) a highly contagious animal disease could seriously disrupt the food supply of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) identifying and prioritizing critical infrastructure and key resources to establish protection requirements;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) developing awareness and early warning capabilities to recognize threats to the infrastructure and resources;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) mitigating vulnerabilities of the infrastructure and resources at critical production and processing nodes;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) enhancing screening procedures for domestic and imported products;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) enhancing capabilities to track and trace domestic and imported products; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) enhancing response and recovery procedures.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ABCORPS- The term `ABCorps' means the Agricultural Biosecurity Corps carried out by the Secretary of Agriculture under section 202(a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADMINISTRATOR- The term `Administrator' means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ADVISORY COMMITTEE- The term `Advisory Committee' means the National Veterinary Stockpile Advisory Committee established under section 106(a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) ASSISTANT SECRETARY- The term `Assistant Secretary' means the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs of the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) DEPARTMENT- The term `Department' means the Department of Homeland Security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) is not naturally occurring in the United States (including any territory of the United States); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) has the potential to significantly impact--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the health of the citizens of the United States; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the economy of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(16) PROGRAM- The term `program' means the Department of Homeland Security Agriculture and Food Defense Rotational Expertise Program established under section 102(b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(17) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Homeland Security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(18) SECRETARY CONCERNED- The term `Secretary concerned' means a group comprised of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Secretary of Agriculture;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Secretary; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(20) STRATEGY- The term `strategy' means the National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy developed under section 105(a)(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Specific Sectors- In accordance with guidance provided by the Secretary under subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the section heading, by adding at the end `and assistant secretary for health affairs';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(a) Appointment-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) STATUS- The Chief Medical Officer shall have the rank of, and serve as, Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subsection (b), by striking `Chief Medical Officer' and inserting `Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in subsection (c)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking `Chief Medical Officer' and inserting `Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by inserting `, human, and animal health' after `medical';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (6), by striking `and' at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (9); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(7) serving as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) the principal advisor to the Secretary on issues relating to agriculture and food defense;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the primary point of contact of the Department on issues relating to agriculture and food defense with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) the Department of Agriculture;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the Department of Health and Human Services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) the Environmental Protection Agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) other Federal departments and agencies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(v) State, local, and tribal governments; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(vi) the private sector;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(8) providing leadership and ensuring coordination of the activities of the Department relating to agriculture and food defense; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Department of Homeland Security Agriculture and Food Defense Rotational Expertise Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to build partnerships with each entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (2); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to assist in carrying out the agriculture and food defense activities of the Department.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) other Federal agencies, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the Department of Health and Human Services; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the Department of Agriculture;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) State and local agriculture and food agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the private sector.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) homeland security; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) agriculture and food defense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Confirmation- The Under Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Duties- The Under Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) serve as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the principal advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture on any issue relating to Federal, State, or local agriculture or food defense activities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the primary point of contact of the Department of Agriculture for any issue relating to homeland security and agriculture and food defense;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) on behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) develop and manage the portions of the budget of the Department of Agriculture relating to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) homeland security; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) agriculture and food defense;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) coordinate integrated Federal, State, local, and tribal governmental responses to outbreaks of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) highly contagious or economically devastating animal diseases;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) highly infective exotic plant diseases; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) economically devastating plant pest infestations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) integrate the agriculture and food defense activities of the Department of Agriculture (including surveillance of animal and zoonotic diseases) with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Department;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Department of Health and Human Services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) other Federal agencies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) State and local agriculture and food agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) members of the private sector; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) perform any other duty assigned to the Under Secretary by the Secretary of Agriculture.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Reports-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) homeland security; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) agriculture and food defense; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) homeland security; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) agriculture and food defense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Department;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Department of Health and Human Services; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Environmental Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Executive Schedule- Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`Under Secretary for Protection, Preparedness, and Response.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) the Department; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) the Department of Agriculture.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 105. NATIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE STRATEGY.

(a) Development and Submission of Strategy-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN- The strategy shall include an implementation plan for use by the Secretaries concerned in carrying out the strategy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) CONSISTENCY WITH EXISTING PLANS- The strategy described in paragraph (1) shall be consistent with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) HSPD-9;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the National Incident Management System;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the National Response Plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the National Infrastructure Protection Plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the National Preparedness Goals; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) other relevant national strategies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Components-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) GOALS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) to achieve each goal described in subparagraphs (B) through (E); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) PREPAREDNESS GOAL- Enhance the preparedness of the agriculture and food system by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) conducting vulnerability assessments of the agriculture and food system;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) identifying any unmet agricultural security need;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) mitigating vulnerabilities of the system;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) improving communication and training relating to the system;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) increasing the awareness of, and the ability to identify, foreign animal diseases;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) developing and conducting exercises to test decontamination and disposal plans;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vii) developing modeling tools to improve event consequence assessment and decision support; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(viii) preparing risk communication tools and enhancing public awareness through outreach.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) DETECTION GOAL- Improve agriculture and food system detection capabilities by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) identifying contamination in food products;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) conducting surveillance for foreign animal diseases in livestock, other animal populations, and foreign plant pathogens in major crops; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) working with the private sector to implement on-farm biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of diseases.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) EMERGENCY RESPONSE GOAL- Ensure an efficient response to agriculture and food emergencies by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) immediately investigating animal disease outbreaks and suspected food contamination;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) preventing additional human illnesses;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) organizing, training, and equipping animal, plant, and food emergency response teams of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) the Federal Government; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) State, local, and tribal governments;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) designing, developing, and evaluating training and exercises carried out under agriculture and food defense plans; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) ensuring consistent and organized risk communication to the public by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) the Federal Government;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) State, local, and tribal governments; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) the private sector.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) RECOVERY GOAL- Secure agriculture and food production after an agriculture or food emergency by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) working with the private sector to develop business recovery plans to rapidly resume agriculture and food production;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) conducting exercises of the plans described in subparagraph (D) with the goal of long-term recovery results;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) rapidly removing, and effectively disposing of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) contaminated agriculture and food products; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) infected plants and animals; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) decontaminating and restoring areas affected by an agriculture or food emergency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) HSPD-9 ACTIVITIES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- In preparing and implementing the strategy, the Secretaries concerned shall carry out each of the activities described subparagraphs (B) through (D).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS, MITIGATION, AND RESPONSE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) UPDATES- An assessment under subclause (I) shall be updated not less frequently than once every 2 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) MITIGATION STRATEGIES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) continue to expand the development and use of common screening and inspection procedures for agriculture and food items entering the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) maximize effective domestic inspection activities relating to food items located in the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(iii) RESPONSE PLANNING-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) a terrorist attack affecting the agriculture and food system in the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) a major disease outbreak affecting the national agriculture and food system in the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(cc) any other disaster affecting the national agriculture and food system in the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) stabilize agricultural production, food supply, and the United States economy;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) rapidly remove, and effectively dispose of, contaminated agriculture or food products or infected plants or animals; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) decontaminate affected premises.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) NATIONAL VETERINARY STOCKPILE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) is capable of deployment within 24 hours of an outbreak of animal disease;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subparagraph--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) NATIONAL PLANT DISEASE RECOVERY SYSTEM-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) is capable of responding to a high-consequence plant disease through--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) pest control measures; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(II) uses--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(aa) the genetic resources contained in the national plant germplasm system; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(bb) the scientific capabilities of the Federal-State-industry agricultural research and extension system; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subparagraph--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Membership- The Advisory Committee shall be composed of members from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the Department, including the Assistant Secretary;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the Department of Health and Human Services, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the Director of the National Institutes of Health;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) State and local governments; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the private sector.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Meetings- The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the chairperson, but not less often than biannually.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Chairperson- The Secretary of Agriculture (or a designee) shall serve as the chairperson for the Advisory Committee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Duties- The Advisory Committee shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) review each current and proposed animal vaccination policy and therapeutic policy of the Department of Agriculture relating to the National Veterinary Stockpile;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) evaluate threat assessment information with respect to biological, chemical, and radiological threats to the agriculture system;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) at least annually, submit to the Secretary of Agriculture recommendations relating to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) any proposed modification to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) each current and proposed animal vaccination policy and therapeutic policy of the Department of Agriculture under paragraph (1); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the contents of the National Veterinary Stockpile;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the development of a coordinated research agenda to address each high-priority gap identified under paragraph (3); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the manner by which to strengthen through partnership, and improve coordination and minimize duplication of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the National Veterinary Stockpile; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the Strategic National Stockpile; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) examine any other relevant issue, as determined by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Secretary of Agriculture;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Secretary; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) achieving the goals described in subparagraphs (B) through (E) of section 105(b)(1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) developing and implementing demonstration projects for regional agriculture and food defense-related continuity of business plans;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) training State, local, and tribal agriculture, public health, and emergency management personnel in food defense; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) improving communication and coordination among State departments of agriculture and the Federal Government through workforce development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`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.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Regional Agriculture and Food Defense Continuity of Business Demonstration Project-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS- The cooperative agreements described in paragraph (1) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) represent regions, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Secretary; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) collectively cover each State in the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DUTIES OF STATE AUTHORITIES- A State authority that enters into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary of Agriculture under paragraph (1) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) establish and coordinate a Regional Agriculture and Food Defense Continuity of Business Council;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) develop and implement a regional agriculture and food defense continuity of business plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) not less frequently than once each year--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) conduct a regional exercise or drill to test the plan under subparagraph (B); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) make such modifications to the plan as the State authority determines to be necessary, taking into consideration the results of the exercise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL- A council described in paragraph (3)(A) shall be composed of representatives from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) homeland security and emergency management programs from any State described in subparagraph (A);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) State and local departments of health from any State described in subparagraph (A); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the private sector from any State described in subparagraph (A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE CONTINUITY OF BUSINESS PLAN- Each council described in paragraph (3)(A) shall develop a model plan that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) is consistent with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the National Infrastructure Protection Plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the National Response Plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the National Incident Management System;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) the National Preparedness Goals; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) other relevant national strategies;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) identifies--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) methods to prevent, or minimize the spread of, public health consequences or economic losses associated with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) animal disease outbreaks;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) plant disease outbreaks or pest infestations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) incidents of food contamination;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) vulnerabilities in the applicable regional agriculture and food system;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) improves the preparedness of the region (including the private sector) to address identified agriculture and food system-related threats and vulnerabilities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) State Training for Food Defense-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to educate State agriculture, public health, and emergency management personnel on issues relating to food defense; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to ensure consistent planning and coordination among the Federal Government, States, and the private sector relating to food defense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) State Agriculture and Food Defense Liaison Officers-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Department of Agriculture; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the State department of agriculture to which a State liaison officer is assigned.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY CORPS.

(a) Establishment-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Epidemiology Fellows-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to be epidemiology fellows within the ABCorps;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) is comprised of faculty members who have expertise relating to veterinary epidemiology in each major livestock commodity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) is located in a State with diverse livestock from each commodity; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) will conduct such training in collaboration with a State department of agriculture that has expertise relating to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) emergency program management; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the use of geographic information systems for emergency preparedness and response.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Assignment of Epidemiology Fellows-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Epidemiology fellows shall be assigned to eligible State departments of agriculture, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) State departments of agriculture; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) State chief veterinary medical officers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DUTIES OF ASSIGNMENT- An epidemiology fellow assigned to a State department of agriculture under paragraph (1) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in cooperation with State and local veterinarians, assist in the diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of animal diseases;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) contribute to State efforts to improve animal agriculture biosecurity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to serve as a State Agriculture and Food Defense Liaison Officer under section 201(f); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Termination of Authority-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--PARTNERSHIPS WITH PRIVATE SECTOR

SEC. 301. COORDINATING COUNCILS.

(a) Food and Agriculture Government Coordinating Council-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall establish a council to be known as the `Food and Agriculture Government Coordinating Council'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Food and Agriculture Sector Coordinating Council-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall establish a council to be known as the `Food and Agriculture Sector Coordinating Council'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Duties- Each council established under this section shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) evaluate Federal, State, local, tribal, and private sector preparedness and response plans for agriculture and food defense;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) identify best practices standards and methods for improving the coordination among the plans described in paragraph (3);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5)(A) conduct an annual review of each regional demonstration project described in section 201(d); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) recommend methods by which to protect the economy and the public health of the United States from the effects of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) animal or plant disease outbreaks;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) food contamination; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) natural disasters affecting agriculture and food.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--NATIONAL DETECTION, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY LABORATORY NETWORKS

SEC. 401. NATIONAL DETECTION, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY LABORATORY NETWORKS.

(a) Establishment-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) REQUIREMENTS- The networks described in subsections (b) through (d) shall, to the maximum extent practicable--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) identify--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) a process for decisionmaking and management;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) standardized terminology, and methods for testing communication and secure electronic reporting;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) a system of standardized laboratory methods;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) specific criteria for approval as a member of the laboratory network;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) a process for ongoing laboratory accreditation, performance measurement, and accountability; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(vi) the quantity of laboratory surge capacity needed to respond to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) a catastrophic plant or animal disease outbreak; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) a food-related emergency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) ensure appropriate geographic distribution of laboratory network members--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) to minimize the time required to travel to participating laboratories; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) to enable the rapid reporting of laboratory results.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) National Plant Diagnostic Network-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) provides ongoing surveillance, detection, and surge capacity for high-consequence plant diseases and pest infestations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) coordinates the plant diagnostic laboratory capacities of State plant laboratories;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) provides accessible, timely, accurate, and consistent plant disease and pest laboratory services nationwide; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) responds to high-consequence plant diseases and pest infestations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $5,300,000 for fiscal year 2008; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Food Emergency Response Network-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) provides ongoing surveillance, detection, and surge capacity for large-scale food-related emergencies, including an intentional attack on the food supply;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) coordinates the food laboratory capacities of State food laboratories;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) provides accessible, timely, accurate, and consistent food laboratory services throughout the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) responds to food-related emergencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $19,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) National Animal Health Laboratory Network-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) provides ongoing surveillance, detection, and surge capacity for catastrophic animal disease outbreaks and other adverse animal health events, including deliberate attacks;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) coordinates the veterinary diagnostic laboratory capacities of State animal health laboratories;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) provides accessible, timely, accurate, and consistent animal disease laboratory services nationwide; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) responds to foreign animal disease outbreaks, zoonotic diseases, and other adverse animal health events, including deliberate attacks.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2008; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) agree on common laboratory methods for the sharing of knowledge and information relating to animal health, agriculture, and human health;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) identify the means by which each laboratory network member could work cooperatively--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to optimize national laboratory preparedness; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to provide surge capacity during emergencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) engage in ongoing dialogue and build relationships that will support a more effective and integrated response during emergencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) properly responds to each disease for which the tool was developed; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) will work properly when administered in the field by individuals who possess varying degrees of expertise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--DECONTAMINATION AND DISPOSAL

SEC. 501. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) an effective response to and recovery from an agriculture or food emergency may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the disposal of a large quantity of animals, plants, or contaminated food products; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the decontamination of areas impacted by the emergency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) most decontamination and disposal actions are handled by State and local governments, rather than by the Federal Government;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) increasing rendering capacity may--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) provide needed animal disposal surge capacity following an outbreak of catastrophic animal disease; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) be used for the production of energy, including the production of biofuels.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to address the risk of contamination following a deliberate attack using biological or chemical weapons; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to undertake clean-up, clearance, and recovery activities following the decontamination and disposal of specific threat agents or foreign animal diseases.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the decontamination of individuals, equipment, and facilities following a deliberate attack involving the use of biological or chemical weapons; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Requirements- The model plans developed under subsection (c) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) be in accordance with the National Response Plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) include consideration of variations relating to the geography, personnel, and resources of States and local governments;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) include a detailed concept of the operations implementation plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) include consideration of the environmental impacts of the plan; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) include consideration of the cost of implementation of the plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Exercises-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by taking into consideration any new information obtained during the preceding 2-year period;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by identifying any area in which available information is insufficient; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by identifying applicable research goals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) highest-risk biological and chemical threat agents;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) agents that could cause the greatest economic devastation to the agriculture and food system; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) agents that are most difficult to clean or remediate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Loans- The Secretary of Agriculture may provide to applicants low-interest loans--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to develop and expand--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the production capacity of the rendering industry of the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to achieve the increased production capacity outcome goal described in subsection (a); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to be used for the production of energy, including the production of biofuels.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

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.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Scope- In conducting the study under subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) weigh the financial cost to the private sector of implementing irradiation technologies against the public health benefit of enhanced food defense capabilities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) examine--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the public health benefits and risks of consuming irradiated food products; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) methods by which to conduct public education activities to increase consumer confidence in irradiated food products.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Report-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(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--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) a summary of each issue included in the study under subsection (b); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) policy recommendations relating to whether the benefits of developing and implementing food irradiation technologies outweigh the costs of developing and implementing the technologies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY- The Secretary of Agriculture shall make the report under paragraph (1) publicly available.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink