Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Act of 1990

Introduction

To expand the United States Department of Agriculture's low input sustainable agriculture research and education programs, and to provide biotechnology risk assessment research, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 26 (legislative day, JANUARY 23), 1990

Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. DASCHLE, Mr. HARKIN, and Mr. KOHL) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 

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A BILL to expand the United States Department of Agriculture's low input sustainable agriculture research and education programs, and to provide biotechnology risk assessment research, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the `Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Act of 1990'.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The table of contents is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short Title.
Sec. 2. Table of Contents.

TITLE I--LOW-INPUT SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM

Sec. 101. Findings and Purposes. Sec. 102. Definitions. Sec. 103. Research and Extension Projects. Sec. 104. Program Administration. Sec. 105. Federal-State Matching Grant Program. Sec. 106. Technical Guides for Low-Input Agricultural Production Systems. Sec. 107. Reports. Sec. 108. Authorization for Appropriations.

TITLE II--NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Sec. 201. Findings and Purposes. Sec. 202. Definitions. Sec. 203. Program Administration. Sec. 204. National Training Centers. Sec. 205. Competitive Grants. Sec. 206. Training Program Participants. Sec. 207. Authorization of Appropriations.

TITLE III--EXTENSION SERVICE PESTICIDE APPLICATION ADVICE

Sec. 301. Findings and Purposes. Sec. 302. Definitions. Sec. 303. Pesticide Use Recommendations. Sec. 304. Conforming Amendment.

TITLE IV--BIOTECHNOLOGY RISK ASSESSMENT RESEARCH

Sec. 401. Findings and Purposes. Sec. 402. Definitions. Sec. 403. Grant Program. Sec. 404. Authorization of Appropriations.

TITLE V--HERBICIDE RESISTANCE RESEARCH

Sec. 501. Findings and Purposes. Sec. 502. Definitions. Sec. 503. Prohibition of Assistance for Certain Research. Sec. 504. Reallocation of Research Funding. Sec. 505. Report.

TITLE I--LOW-INPUT SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM

SEC. 101. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--

(1) the United States must focus its research and education efforts on the development of sustainable methods of farming that are productive and profitable, conserve natural resources, and protect the environment and the health and safety of agricultural workers and consumers;

(2) different methods of agricultural production can contribute to the goal of achieving long-term sustainability including alternative, regenerative, biological, organic, ecological, and low-input sustainable agricultural production methods;

(3) many farmers and ranchers are highly dependent on nonrenewable production inputs and natural resources for agricultural production and are seeking information on sustainable production systems;

(4) farmers and ranchers have demonstrated interest in participating directly in research and extension efforts and that participation can improve farming methods and benefit research and extension programs; and

(5) expanded agricultural research and extension efforts are needed to assist farmers and ranchers to--

(A) improve agricultural productivity, profitability and competitiveness;

(B) prevent water pollution and soil erosion and degradation;

(C) protect the health and safety of farmers, farmworkers, and consumers;

(D) implement soil, water, and energy conservation practices;

(E) reduce the use of nonrenewable production inputs, to the maximum extent feasible and practicable, and optimize the use of on-farm resources;

(F) explore alternative livestock production systems that lead to low-input livestock production; and

(G) stabilize and improve farm income through crop and enterprise diversification.

(b) PURPOSES- It is the purpose of this title to encourage research designed to increase our knowledge concerning agricultural production systems that--

(1) maintain and enhance the quality and productivity of the soil;

(2) conserve soil, water, energy, and natural resources, and improve fish and wildlife habitat conditions;

(3) prevent contamination of surface and ground water;

(4) protect the health and safety of farmers, farmworkers and consumers;

(5) promote the humane treatment of animals;

(6) increase the number of economically viable self-employment opportunities in agriculture.

SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this title:

(1) EXTENSION- The term `extension' shall have the same meaning given to such term by section 1404(7) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(7)).

(2) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION- The term `non-profit organization' means an organization, group, institute, or institution that--

(A) has a demonstrated capacity to conduct agricultural research or education programs;

(B) has experience in research, demonstration, education, or extension in sustainable agricultural practices and systems; and

(C) qualifies as a not-for-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)).

(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture.

(4) STATE- The term `State' means each of the fifty States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

(5) STATE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS- The term `State agricultural experiment stations' shall have the same meaning given to such term by section 1404(13) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(13)).

SEC. 103. RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROJECTS.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall conduct research and extension projects to obtain data, develop conclusions, demonstrate technologies, and conduct educational programs that promote the purposes of this title, including research and extension projects that--

(1) facilitate and increase scientific investigation and education in order to--

(A) reduce, to the maximum extent feasible and practicable, the use of toxic chemical pesticides and fertilizers in agricultural production;

(B) improve low-input farm management in order to enhance agricultural productivity, profitability, and competitiveness;

(C) promote crop, livestock, and enterprise diversification; and

(2) facilitate the conduct of research and extension projects in order to--

(A) study, to the maximum extent practicable, agricultural production systems that are located in areas that possess various soil, climate, and physical characteristics;

(B) study farms that have been, and will continue to be, managed using farm production practices that rely on a low-input and other conservation practices;

(C) take advantage of the experience and expertise of farmers and ranchers through their direct participation and leadership in projects; and

(D) transfer practical, reliable and timely information to farmers and ranchers concerning sustainable farming practices and systems.

(b) AGREEMENTS- The Secretary shall carry out this section through agreements entered into with land-grant colleges or universities, other universities, State agricultural experiment stations, the Cooperative State Extension Service, nonprofit organizations, or Federal or State governmental entities.

(c) Selection of Projects-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall select research and extension projects under this section on the basis of--

(A) the recommendations of the National Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Council established in section 104 of this title;

(B) the relevance of the project to the purposes of this title;

(C) the appropriatness of the design of the project;

(D) the likelihood of obtaining the objectives of the project; and

(E) the national or regional applicability of the findings and outcomes of the proposed project.

(2) PRIORITY- The Secretary shall give priority to projects that--

(A) are recommended by the National Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Council;

(B) closely coordinate research and extension activities;

(C) indicate how the findings of the project will be made readily usable by farmers;

(D) maximize the involvement and cooperation of farmers, including projects involving on-farm research and demonstration;

(E) involve a multidiscriplinary systems approach; and

(F) involve cooperation between farms, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and government agencies.

(d) DIVERSIFICATION OF RESEARCH- The Secretary shall conduct projects and studies under this section in areas that are broadly representative of the diversity of United States agricultural production, including production on small farms, mixed-crop livestock farms and diary operations.

(e) ON-FARM RESEARCH- The Secretary may conduct projects and activities that involve on-farm research and demonstration in carrying out this section.

(f) IMPACT STUDIES- The Secretary may approve study projects concerning the national and regional economic, social and environmental implications of the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and systems.

(g) Project Duration-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may approve projects conducted under the title that have a duration of more than one fiscal year.

(2) SEQUENCE PLANTING- In the case of a research project conducted under this section that involves the planting of a sequence of crops or crop rotations, the Secretary shall approve such project for a term that is appropriate to the sequence or rotation being studied.

(h) PUBLIC ACCESS- The Secretary shall ensure that research projects are open for public observation at specified times.

(i) Indemnification-

(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may indemnify the operator of a project conducted under this section for damage incurred or undue losses sustained as a result of rigid requirement of research or demonstration under such project that is not experienced in normal farming operations.

(2) SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT- An indemnity payment under paragraph (1) shall be subject to any agreement between a project grantee and operator entered into prior to the initiation of such project.

SEC. 104. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.

(a) DUTIES OF SECRETARY- The Secretary shall--

(1) administer the programs and projects under sections 103 and 105 through the Cooperative State Research Service in close cooperation with the Extension Service and other appropriate agencies;

(2) establish a National Sustainable Advisory Council in accordance with paragraph (b);

(3) establish a minimum of four Regional Administrative Councils in accordance with paragraph (c); and

(4) in conjunction with such Regional Administrative Councils, identify regional host institutions required to carry out the provisions of such programs or projects.

(b) National Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Council-

(1) MEMBERSHIP- The membership of the National Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Council shall include representatives of--

(A) the Agricultural Research Service;

(B) the Cooperative State Research Service;

(C) the Soil Conservation Service;

(D) the Extension Service;

(E) State cooperative extension services;

(F) State agricultural experiment stations;

(G) the Economic Research Service;

(H) the National Agricultural Library;

(I) the Environmental Protection Agency;

(J) the Board of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences;

(K) private nonprofit organizations;

(L) farmers utilizing sustainable agriculture systems and practices;

(M) the Geological Survey;

(N) agribusiness; and

(O) other specialists in agricultural research and technology transfer.

(2) RESPONSIBILITIES- The National Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Council shall--

(A) make recommendations to the Secretary concerning research and extension projects that should receive funding under sections 103 and 105;

(B) promote the programs established under this title at the national level;

(C) coordinate research and extension activities funded by such programs;

(D) establish general procedures for awarding and administering funds under this title;

(E) consider recommendations for improving such program;

(F) facilitate cooperation and integration between sustainable agriculture, national water quality, integrated pest management, food safety, and other related programs; and

(G) prepare and submit an annual report concerning its activities to the Secretary.

(c) Regional Administrative Councils-

(1) MEMBERSHIP- The membership of the Regional Administrative Councils shall include representatives of--

(A) the Cooperative State Research Service;

(B) the Extension Service;

(C) State cooperative extension services;

(D) State agricultural experiment stations;

(E) the Soil Conservation Service;

(F) State departments engaged in promoting sustainable agriculture;

(G) nonprofit organizations;

(H) farmers utilizing sustainable agriculture systems and practices;

(I) the Geological Survey; and

(J) other persons knowledgeable about sustainable agriculture and its impact on the environment and rural communities.

(2) RESPONSIBILITIES- The Regional Administrative Councils shall--

(A) make recommendations to the National Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Council concerning research and extension projects that should receive funding under sections 103 and 105;

(B) promote the programs established under this title at the regional level;

(C) establish goals and criteria for the selection of projects authorized under this title within the applicable region;

(D) appoint a technical committee to evaluate the proposals for projects to be considered under this title by such council;

(E) review and act on the recommendations of the technical committee, and coordinate its activities with the regional host institution; and

(F) prepare and make available an annual report concerning projects funded under sections 103 and 105, together with an evaluation of the project activity.

(d) CONFLICT OF INTEREST- Members of the council and the committees shall recuse themselves from participation in discussions and recommendations of proposed projects if members have or have had a professional or business interest in, including the provision of consultancy services, the organization whose grant application is under review.

SEC. 105. FEDERAL-STATE MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall establish a Federal-State matching grant program to make grants to States to encourage and assist in the creation or enhancement of State sustainable agriculture research, extension, and education programs.

(b) ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES- State programs eligible to receive a grant under this section may conduct a variety of activities designed to carry out the purposes of this title, including--

(1) activities that encourage the incorporation and integration of sustainable agriculture concerns in all State research, extension, and education projects;

(2) educational programs for farmers, educators, and the public;

(3) activities that encourage revisions to agricultural curricula to promote understanding of sustainable agriculture at all levels;

(4) the establishment of sustainable agriculture undergraduate and graduate degree programs;

(5) the development and funding of innovative sustainable agriculture research, extension, and education programs;

(6) the conduct of research and demonstration projects;

(7) the provision of technical assistance to farmers and ranchers;

(8) activities that encourage farmer-to-farmer information exchanges; and

(9) such other activities that are appropriate to the agricultural concerns of the State and are consistent with the purposes of this title.

(c) Submission of Plan-

(1) IN GENERAL- States that elect to apply for a grant under this section shall prepare and submit, to the appropriate Regional Administrative Council established under section 104, a State plan and schedule for approval by such Council and the Secretary.

(2) CONTENTS OF STATE PLAN- State plans prepared under paragraph (1) shall provide details of the proposed program to be implemented using funds provided under this section for fiscal years 1991 through 1995, or any five-year period thereafter, and shall identify the sources of matching State funds for the same fiscal years.

(3) PARTICIPATION- To be eligible for approval, State plans submitted under this subsection shall demonstrate that there will be extensive and direct participation of farmers in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program.

(d) Grant Award-

(1) AMOUNT OF GRANT- Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide grants to eligible States in an amount not to exceed 50 per centum of the cost of the establishment or enhancement of a State sustainable agriculture program under a plan approved by the Secretary under subsection (c) for a period of not to exceed five years.

(2) STATE PARTICIPATION- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall agree to pay, from State appropriated funds, other State revenue, or from private contributions received by the State, not less than 50 per centum of the cost of the establishment or enhancement of the sustainable agriculture program under an approved plan under subsection (c).

SEC. 106. TECHNICAL GUIDES FOR LOW-INPUT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall, not later than three hundred and sixty-five days after the date of enactment of this Act, with full public notice and comment, and in consultation with the National Sustainable Advisory Council established under section 104, develop technical guides describing farm production systems that foster low-input sustainable agricultural production systems, mitigate public health risks, protect environmental quality, conserve soil, water, and energy, and otherwise carry out the purposes of this title.

(b) COORDINATION OF EFFORT- To the extent possible, the Secretary shall coordinate the ongoing technical guide work of the Soil Conservation Service and the Extension Service in order to avoid duplication of effort and to provide farmers and other agriculture professionals with a comprehensive technical guide that addresses a broad array of technical concerns.

(c) Content of Technical Guides-

(1) IN GENERAL- The technical guides developed under this section shall include detailed information on selection of crops and crop-plant varieties, rotation practices, tillage systems, nutrient management systems, soil building practices, pest, weed, and disease management, soil, water, and energy conservation, livestock management, and other practices useful in carrying out the purposes of this title.

(2) STANDARDS AND INSTRUCTIONS- Such guides shall provide standards and practical instructions, based on existing scientific and technical knowledge, to ensure nondegradation of farmland soils, protection of water supplies from depletion and contamination, and reductions in the use of nonrenewable resources and purchased production inputs to the lowest practical levels.

(3) INFORMATION COLLECTION- To assist in the development of such guides, the Secretary shall--

(A) survey existing data bases containing information on sustainable agricultural systems, including those created by the Soil Conservation Service and the National Agricultural Library and the Appropriate Technology Transfer in Rural Areas program established under section 2(b)(7) of the Act entitled `An Act to facilitate the work of the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes', approved August 4, 1965 (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)(7));

(B) inventory and classify by subject matter studies, reports, and other material developed by any person or governmental agency with the participation or financial assistance of the Secretary, that could be used to promote the purposes of this title;

(C) identify, assess, and classify existing information and research reports and projects that will further the purposes of this title, including information and research relating to--

(i) the development of environmentally sound cropping, livestock, tillage, nutrient management, pest management, water quality and conservation, and alternative energy systems;

(ii) the social, economic, and environmental effects of alternative production systems and technologies; and

(iii) the role of public policies and programs in fostering or hindering the purposes of this subtitle; and

(D) determine which of such reports and projects provide useful information and make such useful reports available to farmers and ranchers.

(d) GRANT PROGRAM- The Secretary, in consultation with the National Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Council established in section 104, may establish a grant program to assist in the development and periodic revision of technical guides under this section.

(e) DISTRIBUTION OF GUIDES- The Secretary shall ensure that the technical guides developed under this section are made available to the public.

SEC. 107. REPORTS.

The Secretary shall, not later than April 1, 1991, and each April 1 thereafter, prepare and submit, to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Council--

(1) a report describing the results of the programs carried out under sections 103 and 105; and

(2) a report describing the progress of projects conducted under this title, including--

(A) a summary and analysis of data collected under such projects;

(B) recommendations based on such data for new basic or applied research; and

(C) the number, length, and type of projects proposed, funded and carried out, by region.

SEC. 108. AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated $40,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out this title. Of any amount that is appropriated to carry out the programs established under this title, no less than $15,000,000, or no less than two thirds of any appropriation, whichever is greater, shall be used to carry out sections 103 and 104.

TITLE II--NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

SEC. 201. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) The Congress finds that--

(1) there is a great need for research-based practical knowledge that will assist farmers and nonfarmers adopt sustainable agriculture technologies, practices, and systems on their farms, in their businesses and in their homes;

(2) farmers rely upon the Extension Service as a primary source for the dissemination of research-based practical knowledge concerning farming methods; and

(3) Extension Service as well as other agricultural leaders need training a new sustainable agriculture technologies and practices in order to provide the information farmers and nonfarmers demand.

(b) PURPOSE- It is the purpose of this title to establish a training program in sustainable aagriculture for Extension Service agents and other leaders in agricultural education in order to facilitate the extension of knowledge of sustainable agriculture.

SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this title:

(1) EXTENSION SERVICE- The term `Extension Service' shall include employees of the Federal Extension Service, and the State and county Cooperative Extension Services.

(2) SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE- The term `sustainable agriculture' means a variety of farming systems, ranging from organic systems that use no synthetic chemical inputs to those involving the prudent use of pesticides or antibiotics, and which result in--

(A) thorough incorporation of natural processes such as nutrient cycles, nitrogen fixation, and pest-predator relationships into the agricultural production process;

(B) reduction in the use of off-farm inputs with potential to harm the environment or the health of farmers and consumers;

(C) greater productive use of the biological and genetic potential of plant and animal species;

(D) improvement of the match between cropping patterns and the productive potential and physical limitations of agricultural lands to ensure long-term sustainability of current production levels; and

(E) profitable and efficient agricultural production, with emphasis on improved farm management and conservation of soil, water, energy, and biological resources.

SEC. 203. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish a National Training Program in Sustainable Agriculture to provide education and training for Extension Agents and other professionals involved in education and transfer of technical information concerning sustainable agriculture in order to develop understanding, competence, and ability to teach and communicate the concepts of sustainable agriculture to Extension Agents and to farmers and urban residents needing information on sustainable agriculture systems.

(b) ADMINISTRATION- The training program shall be organized and administered jointly by the Centers established in section 204 and the Extension Service and shall include onsite education at the Centers as well as education at other locations including land-grant universities, experiment stations, and demonstration farms.

SEC. 204. NATIONAL TRAINING CENTERS.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall designate not less than two national training centers to coordinate and administer education in sustainable agriculture as provided for in section 203.

(b) TRAINING PROGRAM- The Centers shall offer intensive instruction programs and involving classroom and field training work for extension specialists and other individuals who are required to transmit technical information.

(c) PROHIBITION ON CONSTRUCTION- The Centers established in paragraph (a) shall be located at existing facilities. No funds appropriated under this title shall be used for facility construction.

(d) ADMINISTRATION- Centers should be administered by organizations that--

(1) have a specific mandate relating to sustainable agriculture;

(2) have a base of programming that includes both research and education related to sustainable agriculture, with an emphasis on the application of an overall production systems approach which studies environmental interactions, farming methods, and resource efficiency; and

(3) have cooperative relationships with other agencies such as the Agricultural Research Service, the Cooperative Extension Service, land grant universities and non-profit organizations.

(e) COORDINATION OF RESOURCES- The Centers shall make use of information generated by the United States Department of Agriculture and the State agriculture experiment stations, and the practical experience of farmers, especially those cooperating in on-farm demonstrations and research projects.

(f) LOCATION- The Secretary should consider utilizing existing organizations with expertise in sustainable agriculture to assist in the design and implementation of the training program.

SEC. 205. COMPETITIVE GRANTS.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant program to award grants to organizations, including land grant universities, in order to carry out sustainable training for county agents and other individuals needing basic information on sustainable agriculture practices.

(b) SHORT COURSES- The purpose of the grants shall be to establish in the regions, training programs that consist of workshops and short courses designed to familiarize participants with the concepts and importance of sustainable agriculture.

SEC. 206. TRAINING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary should attempt to train all Extension Service personnel and other individuals who advise farmers in sustainable agricultural production methods.

(b) EXTENSION SERVICE- The Secretary shall require that not less than 20 per centum of Federal Extension Service staff participate in the intensive instruction at the Centers by September 30, 1995. In addition, the Secretary shall ensure that--

(1) each State Cooperative Extension Service designates not less than 50 per centum of such State's specialists and agents to attend the intensive instruction program offered at the Centers by September 30, 1995; and

(2) each State Cooperative Extension Service designates not less than 20 per centum of such State's nonspecialists to attend the short courses established through competitive grants by September 30, 1995.

SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are to be authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this title.

TITLE III--EXTENSION SERVICE PESTICIDE APPLICATION ADVICE

SEC. 301. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) FINDING- The Congress finds that, in many cases, Extension Service agents would like to provide information to farmers concerning lower, effective rates of pesticide application than that specified on the label of the pesticide, in order to guide farmers toward low-input sustainable agriculture systems.

(b) PURPOSE- The purpose of this title is to authorize Extension Service agents to provide information to farmers on reduced pesticide application rates when and if such information is available.

SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this title:

(1) EXTENSION SERVICE- The term `Extension Service' shall include employees of the Federal Extension Service, and the State and county Cooperative Extension Services.

(2) PESTICIDE- The term `pesticide' means any sustance which alone, in chemical combination, or in any formulation with one or more substances, is defined as a pesticide in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.).

SEC. 303. PESTICIDE USE RECOMMENDATIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, Extension Service agents may advise farmers to apply any pesticide at a dosage, concentration, or frequency that is less than that specified on the label for such pesticide if the Extension Service agent has reason to believe that use of the pesticide at the lower dosage, concentration, or frequency would be efficacious.

(b) PUBLICATIONS- Extension Service agents may include advice to farmers concerning such lower usage of specific pesticides in publications issued by the Extension Service if--

(1) such publication also states the rates of application specified on the label of such pesticide; and

(2) such publication discusses the efficacy of the pesticide when applied at such lower rate.

(c) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION- Any Extension Service publication that contains directions for the use of specific pesticides only at the dosage, concentration, or frequency specified on the label shall also include the statement `Information may be available from your Extension Service regarding the efficacy of using lower pesticide rates.'.

SEC. 304. CONFORMING AMENDMENT.

Subsection (ee) of section 2 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136) is amended by striking `unless the labeling specifically prohibits deviation from the specified dosage, concentration or frequency'.

TITLE IV--BIOTECHNOLOGY RISK ASSESSMENT RESEARCH

SEC. 401. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--

(1) rapid advances in the application of biotechnology to agriculture have and will continue to result in the development of products whose research, evaluation, and commercial use require introduction into the environment; and

(2) more scientific information about the effects of the introduction of genetically engineered organisms into the environment, and the development of methods to contain and monitor such introduction are needed to--

(A) help researchers make sound judgments about the overall environmental impacts of genetically engineered organisms they develop, and to design projects that minimize any risks associated with the introduction of such genetically engineered organisms; and

(B) help regulators make scientifically sound and timely decisions regarding the introduction of genetically engineered organisms.

(b) PURPOSES- It is the purpose of this title to--

(1) authorize and support environmental assessment research to the extent necessary to help address general concerns about environmental effects of biotechnology; and

(2) authorize research to help regulators develop policies, as soon as is practicable, concerning the introduction into the environment of such technology.

SEC. 402. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this title:

(1) ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT RESEARCH- The term `environmental assessment research' is research aimed at understanding the potential impacts on agricultural ecosystems, natural ecosystems, and human health of genetically engineered organisms introduced into the environment.

(2) GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ORGANISM- The term `genetically engineered organism' is a living organism, including a virus, that is genetically modified using techniques of modern biotechnology, including recombinant DNA, chemical and electrical poration, and microinjection.

SEC. 403. GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish a grant program within the Cooperative State Research Service and the Agricultural Research Service to provide the necessary funding for environmental assessment research concerning the introduction of genetically engineered organisms into the environment.

(b) AREAS OF RESEARCH- Areas of research eligible for funding shall include--

(1) the development of methods of physically and biologically contain genetically engineered fish, plants, and microorganisms once they are introduced into the environment;

(2) the development of methods to monitor the dispersal of genetically engineered fish, plants, and microorganisms;

(3) research designed to further existing knowledge with respect to the rates and methods of gene transfer that may occur between genetically engineered organisms and related wild and agricultural organisms; and

(4) other areas of research designed to further the purposes of this title.

(c) REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS- The Secretary shall consult with the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, any existing Office of Agricultural Biotechnology, and any existing Agricultural Biotechnology Research Advisory Committee regarding any specific areas of research considered for funding under this section.

(d) PROGRAM COORDINATION- The Secretary shall coordinate research authorized under this title with the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency and shall seek to avoid duplication of research activities.

(e) OPEN COMPETITION- Grants shall be made on the basis of quality of the proposed research project and shall not be restricted to land grant colleges and colleges of agriculture.

SEC. 404. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as are necessary to carry out this title.

TITLE V--HERBICIDE RESISTANCE RESEARCH

SEC. 501. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--

(1) private and public sector researchers are currently engaged in considerable research to genetically modify plants to increase the herbicide resistance of such plants;

(2) the use of chemical herbicides may contribute to environmental pollution;

(3) our scarce public resources must, to the extent possible, be dedicated to research aimed at lessening the use of chemical pesticides; and

(4) the private sector will continue to develop herbicide resistant plants.

(b) PURPOSE- It is the purpose of this title to transfer federal financial assistance now being used to assist individuals or entities in applied research designed to develop herbicide resistant plants to other weed management control options, including plant genome research.

SEC 502. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this title:

(1) HERBICIDE RESISTANT PLANTS- The term `herbicide resistant plants' means plants that are modified using recombinant methods or any other methods to improve the metabolic capabilities of plants to resist a particular synthetic chemical herbicide.

(2) PESTICIDE- The term `pesticide' means any substance which alone, in chemical combination, or in any formulation with one or more substances, is defined as a pesticide in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.).

(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture.

SEC. 503. PROHIBITION OF ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN RESEARCH.

(a) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not allow any funds provided under the National Agricultural, Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, the Food Security Act of 1985, or any other Act to be provided to any individual or entity for the purpose of conducting applied research designed to develop herbicide resistant plants.

(b) EXEMPTION- Subsection (a) shall not apply to risk assessment and monitoring research authorized under title IV of this Act.

(c) Project Completion-

(1) COMPLETION OF RESEARCH PROJECTS UNDERWAY- Except as provided in paragraph (2) the Secretary may permit completion of applied research projects designed to develop herbicide resistant plants if such projects are significantly underway and are near completion at the time of enactment of this Act.

(2) TERMINATION OF FUNDING- No funding for any projects under paragraph (1) shall be provided after September 30, 1992.

SEC. 504. REALLOCATION OF RESEARCH FUNDING.

To the extent practicable, the Secreary shall allocate Federal funding equal to the amount of Federal funds previously dedicated to research on the development of herbicide resistant plants prior to enactment of this Act for research on plant genomes that is directed at the development of plants adapted to week control management systems with reduced reliance on chemical herbicides, including row crop varieties better adapted to mechanical weed control, cover crops, and rotational crops which enhance weed control, and pest resistant plants.

SEC. 505. REPORT.

(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a survey of land-grant universities and colleges, 1890 institutions, and the Tuskegee Institute to determine the extent to which the private sector is supporting applied research at such institutions designated to develop herbicide resistant plants.

(b) REPORT- Not later than September 30, 1991, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report containing the findings of the survey conducted under subsection (a).