7 USC CHAPTER 104, SUBCHAPTER I: PLANT PROTECTION

From Title 7—AGRICULTURECHAPTER 104—PLANT PROTECTION

SUBCHAPTER I—PLANT PROTECTION

§7711. Regulation of movement of plant pests

(a) Prohibition of unauthorized movement of plant pests

Except as provided in subsection (c), no person shall import, enter, export, or move in interstate commerce any plant pest, unless the importation, entry, exportation, or movement is authorized under general or specific permit and is in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may issue to prevent the introduction of plant pests into the United States or the dissemination of plant pests within the United States.

(b) Requirements for processes

The Secretary shall ensure that the processes used in developing regulations under subsection (a) governing consideration of import requests are based on sound science and are transparent and accessible.

(c) Authorization of movement of plant pests by regulation

(1) Exception to permit requirement

The Secretary may issue regulations to allow the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of specified plant pests without further restriction if the Secretary finds that a permit under subsection (a) is not necessary.

(2) Petition to add or remove plant pests from regulation

Any person may petition the Secretary to add a plant pest to, or remove a plant pest from, the regulations issued by the Secretary under paragraph (1).

(3) Response to petition by the Secretary

In the case of a petition submitted under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall act on the petition within a reasonable time and notify the petitioner of the final action the Secretary takes on the petition. The Secretary's determination on the petition shall be based on sound science.

(d) Prohibition of unauthorized mailing of plant pests

(1) In general

Any letter, parcel, box, or other package containing any plant pest, whether sealed as letter-rate postal matter or not, is nonmailable and shall not knowingly be conveyed in the mail or delivered from any post office or by any mail carrier, unless the letter, parcel, box, or other package is mailed in compliance with such regulations as the Secretary may issue to prevent the dissemination of plant pests into the United States or interstate.

(2) Application of postal laws and regulations

Nothing in this subsection authorizes any person to open any mailed letter or other mailed sealed matter except in accordance with the postal laws and regulations.

(e) Regulations

Regulations issued by the Secretary to implement subsections (a), (c), and (d) may include provisions requiring that any plant pest imported, entered, to be exported, moved in interstate commerce, mailed, or delivered from any post office—

(1) be accompanied by a permit issued by the Secretary prior to the importation, entry, exportation, movement in interstate commerce, mailing, or delivery of the plant pest;

(2) be accompanied by a certificate of inspection issued (in a manner and form required by the Secretary) by appropriate officials of the country or State from which the plant pest is to be moved;

(3) be raised under post-entry quarantine conditions by or under the supervision of the Secretary for the purposes of determining whether the plant pest—

(A) may be infested with other plant pests;

(B) may pose a significant risk of causing injury to, damage to, or disease in any plant or plant product; or

(4) be subject to remedial measures the Secretary determines to be necessary to prevent the spread of plant pests.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §411, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 440.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to agricultural import and entry inspection activities under this chapter to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 231, 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

§7712. Regulation of movement of plants, plant products, biological control organisms, noxious weeds, articles, and means of conveyance

(a) In general

The Secretary may prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance, if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction into the United States or the dissemination of a plant pest or noxious weed within the United States.

(b) Policy

The Secretary shall ensure that processes used in developing regulations under this section governing consideration of import requests are based on sound science and are transparent and accessible.

(c) Regulations

The Secretary may issue regulations to implement subsection (a), including regulations requiring that any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance imported, entered, to be exported, or moved in interstate commerce—

(1) be accompanied by a permit issued by the Secretary prior to the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce;

(2) be accompanied by a certificate of inspection issued (in a manner and form required by the Secretary) by appropriate officials of the country or State from which the plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance is to be moved;

(3) be subject to remedial measures the Secretary determines to be necessary to prevent the spread of plant pests or noxious weeds; and

(4) with respect to plants or biological control organisms, be grown or handled under post-entry quarantine conditions by or under the supervision of the Secretary for the purposes of determining whether the plant or biological control organism may be infested with plant pests or may be a plant pest or noxious weed.

(d) Notice

Not later than 1 year after June 20, 2000, the Secretary shall publish for public comment a notice describing the procedures and standards that govern the consideration of import requests. The notice shall—

(1) specify how public input will be sought in advance of and during the process of promulgating regulations necessitating a risk assessment in order to ensure a fully transparent and publicly accessible process; and

(2) include consideration of the following:

(A) Public announcement of import requests that will necessitate a risk assessment.

(B) A process for assigning major/nonroutine or minor/routine status to such requests based on current state of supporting scientific information.

(D) Guidelines for seeking relevant scientific and economic information in advance of initiating informal rulemaking.

(E) Guidelines for ensuring availability and transparency of assumptions and uncertainties in the risk assessment process including applicable risk mitigation measures relied upon individually or as components of a system of mitigative measures proposed consistent with the purposes of this chapter.

(e) Study and report on systems approach

(1) Study

The Secretary shall conduct a study of the role for and application of systems approaches designed to guard against the introduction of plant pathogens into the United States associated with proposals to import plants or plant products into the United States.

(2) Participation by scientists

In conducting the study the Secretary shall ensure participation by scientists from State departments of agriculture, colleges and universities, the private sector, and the Agricultural Research Service.

(3) Report

Not later than 2 years after June 20, 2000, the Secretary shall submit a report on the results of the study conducted under this section to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives.

(f) Noxious weeds

(1) Regulations

In the case of noxious weeds, the Secretary may publish, by regulation, a list of noxious weeds that are prohibited or restricted from entering the United States or that are subject to restrictions on interstate movement within the United States.

(2) Petition to add or remove plants from regulation

Any person may petition the Secretary to add a plant species to, or remove a plant species from, the regulations issued by the Secretary under this subsection.

(3) Duties of the Secretary

(g) Biological control organisms

(1) Regulations

In the case of biological control organisms, the Secretary may publish, by regulation, a list of organisms whose movement in interstate commerce is not prohibited or restricted. Any listing may take into account distinctions between organisms such as indigenous, nonindigenous, newly introduced, or commercially raised.

(2) Petition to add or remove biological control organisms from the regulations

Any person may petition the Secretary to add a biological control organism to, or remove a biological control organism from, the regulations issued by the Secretary under this subsection.

(3) Duties of the Secretary

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §412, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 441.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(E), was in the original "this title", meaning title IV of Pub. L. 106–224, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 438, known as the Plant Protection Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title IV to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7701 of this title and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

§7712a. Reduction in backlog of agricultural export petitions

(a) Reduction efforts

To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary of Agriculture shall endeavor to reduce the backlog in the number of applications for permits for the export of United States agricultural commodities. In achieving such reduction, the Secretary shall not dilute or diminish existing personnel resources that are currently managing sanitary and phytosanitary issues for—

(1) United States agricultural commodities for which exportation is sought; and

(2) interdiction and control of pests and diseases, including for the evaluation of pest and disease concerns of foreign agricultural commodities for which importation is sought.

(b) Report

The Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate an annual report specifying, for the year covered by the report—

(1) the total number of applications processed to completion;

(2) the number of backlog applications processed to completion;

(3) the percentage of backlog applications processed to completion; and

(4) the number of backlog applications remaining.

(Pub. L. 108–465, title II, §202, Dec. 21, 2004, 118 Stat. 3884.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004, and not as part of the Plant Protection Act which comprises this chapter.

§7713. Notification and holding requirements upon arrival

(a) Duty of Secretary of the Treasury

(1) Notification

The Secretary of the Treasury shall promptly notify the Secretary of Agriculture of the arrival of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, or noxious weed at a port of entry.

(2) Holding

The Secretary of the Treasury shall hold a plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, or noxious weed for which notification is made under paragraph (1) at the port of entry until the plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, or noxious weed—

(A) is inspected and authorized for entry into or transit movement through the United States; or

(B) is otherwise released by the Secretary of Agriculture.

(3) Exceptions

Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to any plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, or noxious weed that is imported from a country or region of a country designated by the Secretary of Agriculture, pursuant to regulations, as exempt from the requirements of such paragraphs.

(b) Duty of responsible parties

(1) Notification

The person responsible for any plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance required to have a permit under section 7711 or 7712 of this title shall provide the notification described in paragraph (3) as soon as possible after the arrival of the plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance at a port of entry and before the plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance is moved from the port of entry.

(2) Submission

The notification shall be provided to the Secretary, or, at the Secretary's direction, to the proper official of the State to which the plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance is destined, or both, as the Secretary may prescribe.

(3) Elements of notification

The notification shall consist of the following:

(A) The name and address of the consignee.

(B) The nature and quantity of the plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance proposed to be moved.

(C) The country and locality where the plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance was grown, produced, or located.

(c) Prohibition on movement of items without authorization

No person shall move from a port of entry or interstate any imported plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance unless the imported plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance—

(1) is inspected and authorized for entry into or transit movement through the United States; or

(2) is otherwise released by the Secretary.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §413, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 443.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

§7714. General remedial measures for new plant pests and noxious weeds

(a) Authority to hold, treat, or destroy items

If the Secretary considers it necessary in order to prevent the dissemination of a plant pest or noxious weed that is new to or not known to be widely prevalent or distributed within and throughout the United States, the Secretary may hold, seize, quarantine, treat, apply other remedial measures to, destroy, or otherwise dispose of any plant, plant pest, noxious weed, biological control organism, plant product, article, or means of conveyance that—

(1) is moving into or through the United States or interstate, or has moved into or through the United States or interstate, and—

(A) the Secretary has reason to believe is a plant pest or noxious weed or is infested with a plant pest or noxious weed at the time of the movement; or

(B) is or has been otherwise in violation of this chapter;

(2) has not been maintained in compliance with a post-entry quarantine requirement; or

(3) is the progeny of any plant, biological control organism, plant product, plant pest, or noxious weed that is moving into or through the United States or interstate, or has moved into the United States or interstate, in violation of this chapter.

(b) Authority to order an owner to treat or destroy

(1) In general

The Secretary may order the owner of any plant, biological control organism, plant product, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance subject to action under subsection (a) to treat, apply other remedial measures to, destroy, or otherwise dispose of the plant, biological control organism, plant product, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance, without cost to the Federal Government and in the manner the Secretary considers appropriate.

(2) Failure to comply

If the owner fails to comply with the Secretary's order under this subsection, the Secretary may take an action authorized by subsection (a) and recover from the owner the costs of any care, handling, application of remedial measures, or disposal incurred by the Secretary in connection with actions taken under subsection (a).

(c) Classification system

(1) Development required

To facilitate control of noxious weeds, the Secretary may develop a classification system to describe the status and action levels for noxious weeds. The classification system may include the current geographic distribution, relative threat, and actions initiated to prevent introduction or distribution.

(2) Management plans

In conjunction with the classification system, the Secretary may develop integrated management plans for noxious weeds for the geographic region or ecological range where the noxious weed is found in the United States.

(d) Application of least drastic action

No plant, biological control organism, plant product, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance shall be destroyed, exported, or returned to the shipping point of origin, or ordered to be destroyed, exported, or returned to the shipping point of origin under this section unless, in the opinion of the Secretary, there is no less drastic action that is feasible and that would be adequate to prevent the dissemination of any plant pest or noxious weed new to or not known to be widely prevalent or distributed within and throughout the United States.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §414, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 444; Pub. L. 107–171, title X, §10418(b)(1), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 508.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(B), (3), was in the original "this title", meaning title IV of Pub. L. 106–224, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 438, known as the Plant Protection Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title IV to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7701 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

2002—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 107–171, §10418(b)(1)(A), struck out ", or the owner's agent," after "subsection (a)".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 107–171, §10418(b)(1)(B), struck out "or agent of the owner" after "the owner" in two places.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

§7715. Declaration of extraordinary emergency and resulting authorities

(a) Authority to declare

If the Secretary determines that an extraordinary emergency exists because of the presence of a plant pest or noxious weed that is new to or not known to be widely prevalent in or distributed within and throughout the United States and that the presence of the plant pest or noxious weed threatens plants or plant products of the United States, the Secretary may—

(1) hold, seize, quarantine, treat, apply other remedial measures to, destroy, or otherwise dispose of, any plant, biological control organism, plant product, article, or means of conveyance that the Secretary has reason to believe is infested with the plant pest or noxious weed;

(2) quarantine, treat, or apply other remedial measures to any premises, including any plants, biological control organisms, plant products, articles, or means of conveyance on the premises, that the Secretary has reason to believe is infested with the plant pest or noxious weed;

(3) quarantine any State or portion of a State in which the Secretary finds the plant pest or noxious weed or any plant, biological control organism, plant product, article, or means of conveyance that the Secretary has reason to believe is infested with the plant pest or noxious weed; and

(4) prohibit or restrict the movement within a State of any plant, biological control organism, plant product, article, or means of conveyance when the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the dissemination of the plant pest or noxious weed or to eradicate the plant pest or noxious weed.

(b) Required finding of emergency

The Secretary may take action under this section only upon finding, after review and consultation with the Governor or other appropriate official of the State affected, that the measures being taken by the State are inadequate to eradicate the plant pest or noxious weed.

(c) Notification procedures

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), before any action is taken in any State under this section, the Secretary shall notify the Governor or other appropriate official of the State affected, issue a public announcement, and file for publication in the Federal Register a statement of—

(A) the Secretary's findings;

(B) the action the Secretary intends to take;

(D) where practicable, an estimate of the anticipated duration of the extraordinary emergency.

(2) Time sensitive actions

If it is not possible to file for publication in the Federal Register prior to taking action, the filing shall be made within a reasonable time, not to exceed 10 business days, after commencement of the action.

(d) Application of least drastic action

(e) Payment of compensation

The Secretary may pay compensation to any person for economic losses incurred by the person as a result of action taken by the Secretary under this section. The determination by the Secretary of the amount of any compensation to be paid under this subsection shall be final and shall not be subject to judicial review or a review by any officer or employee of the Federal Government other than the Secretary or the designee of the Secretary.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §415, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 445; Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, §7504(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 465; Pub. L. 110–234, title X, §10203(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1342; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title X, §10203(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2104.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2008—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–246, §10203(a), struck out "of longer than 60 days" after "or a review".

2002—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–171 inserted before period at end "or a review of longer than 60 days by any officer or employee of the Federal Government other than the Secretary or the designee of the Secretary".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.

Transfer of Functions

§7716. Recovery of compensation for unauthorized activities

(a) Recovery action

The owner of any plant, plant biological control organism, plant product, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the Secretary under section 7714 or 7715 of this title may bring an action against the United States to recover just compensation for the destruction or disposal of the plant, plant biological control organism, plant product, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance (not including compensation for loss due to delays incident to determining eligibility for importation, entry, exportation, movement in interstate commerce, or release into the environment), but only if the owner establishes that the destruction or disposal was not authorized under this chapter.

(b) Time for action; location

An action under this section shall be brought not later than 1 year after the destruction or disposal of the plant, plant biological control organism, plant product, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance involved. The action may be brought in any United States district court where the owner is found, resides, transacts business, is licensed to do business, or is incorporated.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §416, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 447.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (a), was in the original "this title", meaning title IV of Pub. L. 106–224, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 438, known as the Plant Protection Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title IV to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7701 of this title and Tables.

§7717. Control of grasshoppers and Mormon crickets

(a) In general

Subject to the availability of funds pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall carry out a program to control grasshoppers and Mormon crickets on all Federal lands to protect rangeland.

(b) Transfer authority

(1) In general

Subject to paragraph (3), upon the request of the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture, from any no-year appropriations, funds for the prevention, suppression, and control of actual or potential grasshopper and Mormon cricket outbreaks on Federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior. The transferred funds shall be available only for the payment of obligations incurred on such Federal lands.

(2) Transfer requests

Requests for the transfer of funds pursuant to this subsection shall be made as promptly as possible by the Secretary.

(3) Limitation

Funds transferred pursuant to this subsection may not be used by the Secretary until funds specifically appropriated to the Secretary for grasshopper control have been exhausted.

(4) Replenishment of transferred funds

Funds transferred pursuant to this subsection shall be replenished by supplemental or regular appropriations, which shall be requested as promptly as possible.

(c) Treatment for grasshoppers and Mormon crickets

(1) In general

Subject to the availability of funds pursuant to this section, on request of the administering agency or the agriculture department of an affected State, the Secretary, to protect rangeland, shall immediately treat Federal, State, or private lands that are infested with grasshoppers or Mormon crickets at levels of economic infestation, unless the Secretary determines that delaying treatment will not cause greater economic damage to adjacent owners of rangeland.

(2) Other programs

In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall work in conjunction with other Federal, State, and private prevention, control, or suppression efforts to protect rangeland.

(d) Federal cost share of treatment

(1) Control on Federal lands

Out of funds made available or transferred under this section, the Secretary shall pay 100 percent of the cost of grasshopper or Mormon cricket control on Federal lands to protect rangeland.

(2) Control on State lands

Out of funds made available under this section, the Secretary shall pay 50 percent of the cost of grasshopper or Mormon cricket control on State lands.

(3) Control on private lands

Out of funds made available under this section, the Secretary shall pay 33.3 percent of the cost of grasshopper or Mormon cricket control on private lands.

(e) Training

From appropriated funds made available or transferred by the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of Agriculture for such purposes, the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide adequate funding for a program to train personnel to accomplish effectively the objective of this section.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §417, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 447.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

§7718. Certification for exports

The Secretary may certify as to the freedom of plants, plant products, or biological control organisms from plant pests or noxious weeds, or the exposure of plants, plant products, or biological control organisms to plant pests or noxious weeds, according to the phytosanitary or other requirements of the countries to which the plants, plant products, or biological control organisms may be exported.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §418, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 448.)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

§7719. Methyl bromide

(a) In general

The Secretary, upon request of State, local, or tribal authorities, shall determine whether methyl bromide treatments or applications required by State, local, or tribal authorities to prevent the introduction, establishment, or spread of plant pests (including diseases) or noxious weeds should be authorized as an official control or official requirement. The Secretary shall not authorize such treatments or applications unless the Secretary finds there is no other registered, effective, and economically feasible alternative available.

(b) Methyl bromide alternative

The Secretary, in consultation with State, local and tribal authorities, shall establish a program to identify alternatives to methyl bromide for treatment and control of plant pests and weeds. For uses where no registered, effective, economically feasible alternatives available can currently be identified, the Secretary shall initiate research programs to develop alternative methods of control and treatment.

(c) Registry

Not later than 180 days after May 13, 2002, the Secretary shall publish, and thereafter maintain, a registry of State, local, and tribal requirements authorized by the Secretary under this section.

(d) Administration

(1) Timeline for determination

Upon the promulgation of regulations to carry out this section, the Secretary shall make the determination required by subsection (a) not later than 90 days after receiving the request for such a determination.

(2) Construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter or modify the authority of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or to provide any authority to the Secretary of Agriculture under the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.] or regulations promulgated under the Clean Air Act.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §419, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, §7504(c), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 466.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Clean Air Act, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), is act July 14, 1955, ch. 360, 69 Stat. 322, which is classified generally to chapter 85 (§7401 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7401 of Title 42 and Tables.

§7720. National plan for control and management of Sudden Oak Death

(a) Development of national plan

Subject to the availability of appropriated funds for this purpose, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service, shall develop a national plan for the control and management of Sudden Oak Death, a forest disease caused by the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora ramorum.

(b) Plan elements

In developing the plan, the Secretary shall specifically address the following:

(1) Information derived by the Department of Agriculture from ongoing efforts to identify hosts of Phytophthora ramorum and survey the extent to which Sudden Oak Death exists in the United States.

(2) Past and current efforts to understand the risk posed by Phytophthora ramorum and the results of control and management efforts regarding Sudden Oak Death, including efforts related to research, control, quarantine, and hazardous fuel reduction.

(3) Such future efforts as the Secretary considers necessary to control and manage Sudden Oak Death, including cost estimates for the implementation of such efforts.

(c) Consultation

The Secretary shall develop the plan in consultation with other Federal agencies that have appropriate expertise regarding the control and management of Sudden Oak Death.

(d) Implementation of plan

The Secretary shall complete the plan and commence implementation as soon as practicable after the date on which funds are first appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection (e) to carry out this section.

(e) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

(Pub. L. 108–488, §1, Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3964.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was not enacted as part of the Plant Protection Act which comprises this chapter.

§7721. Plant pest and disease management and disaster prevention

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Early plant pest detection and surveillance

The term "early plant pest detection and surveillance" means the full range of activities undertaken to find newly introduced plant pests, whether the plant pests are new to the United States or new to certain areas of the United States, before—

(A) the plant pests become established; or

(B) the plant pest infestations become too large and costly to eradicate or control.

(2) Specialty crop

The term "specialty crop" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108–465).

(3) State department of agriculture

The term "State department of agriculture" means an agency of a State that has a legal responsibility to perform early plant pest detection and surveillance activities.

(b) Early plant pest detection and surveillance improvement program

(1) Cooperative agreements

The Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with each State department of agriculture that agrees to conduct early plant pest detection and surveillance activities.

(2) Consultation

In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with—

(A) the National Plant Board; and

(B) other interested parties.

(3) Chapter 10 of title 5

Chapter 10 of title 5 shall not apply to consultations under this subsection.

(4) Application

(A) In general

A State department of agriculture seeking to enter into a cooperative agreement under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an application containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(B) Notification

The Secretary shall notify applicants of—

(i) the requirements to be imposed on a State department of agriculture for auditing of, and reporting on, the use of any funds provided by the Secretary under the cooperative agreement;

(ii) the criteria to be used to ensure that early pest detection and surveillance activities supported under the cooperative agreement are based on sound scientific data or thorough risk assessments; and

(iii) the means of identifying pathways of pest introductions.

(5) Use of funds

(A) Plant pest detection and surveillance activities

A State department of agriculture that receives funds under this subsection shall use the funds to carry out early plant pest detection and surveillance activities approved by the Secretary to prevent the introduction or spread of a plant pest.

(B) Subagreements

Nothing in this subsection prevents a State department of agriculture from using funds received under paragraph (4) to enter into subagreements with political subdivisions of the State that have legal responsibilities relating to agricultural plant pest and disease surveillance.

(C) Non-Federal share

The non-Federal share of the cost of carrying out a cooperative agreement under this section may be provided in-kind, including through provision of such indirect costs of the cooperative agreement as the Secretary considers to be appropriate.

(D) Ability to provide funds

The Secretary shall not take the ability to provide non-Federal costs to carry out a cooperative agreement entered into under subparagraph (A) into consideration when deciding whether to enter into a cooperative agreement with a State department of agriculture.

(6) Special funding considerations

The Secretary shall provide funds to a State department of agriculture if the Secretary determines that—

(A) the State department of agriculture is in a State that has a high risk of being affected by 1 or more plant pests or diseases, taking into consideration—

(i) the number of international ports of entry in the State;

(ii) the volume of international passenger and cargo entry into the State;

(iii) the geographic location of the State and if the location or types of agricultural commodities produced in the State are conducive to agricultural pest and disease establishment due to the climate, crop diversity, or natural resources (including unique plant species) of the State; and

(iv) whether the Secretary has determined that an agricultural pest or disease in the State is a Federal concern; and

(B) the early plant pest detection and surveillance activities supported with the funds will likely—

(i) prevent the introduction and establishment of plant pests; and

(ii) provide a comprehensive approach to compliment Federal detection efforts.

(7) Reporting requirement

Not later than 90 days after the date of completion of an early plant pest detection and surveillance activity conducted by a State department of agriculture using funds provided under this section, the State department of agriculture shall submit to the Secretary a report that describes the purposes and results of the activities.

(c) Threat identification and mitigation program

(1) Establishment

The Secretary shall establish a threat identification and mitigation program to determine and address threats to the domestic production of crops.

(2) Requirements

In conducting the program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A) develop risk assessments of the potential threat to the agricultural industry of the United States from foreign sources;

(B) collaborate with the National Plant Board; and

(C) implement action plans for high consequence plant pest and diseases to assist in preventing the introduction and widespread dissemination of new plant pest and disease threats in the United States.

(3) Reports

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the action plans described in paragraph (2), including an accounting of funds expended on the action plans.

(d) Specialty crop certification and risk management systems

The Secretary shall provide funds and technical assistance to specialty crop growers, organizations representing specialty crop growers, and State and local agencies working with specialty crop growers and organizations for the development and implementation of—

(1) audit-based certification systems, such as best management practices—

(A) to address plant pests; and

(B) to mitigate the risk of plant pests in the movement of plants and plant products; and

(2) nursery plant pest risk management systems, in collaboration with the nursery industry, research institutions, and other appropriate entities—

(A) to enable growers to identify and prioritize nursery plant pests and diseases of regulatory significance;

(B) to prevent the introduction, establishment, and spread of those plant pests and diseases; and

(e) National Clean Plant Network

(1) In general

The Secretary shall establish a program to be known as the "National Clean Plant Network" (referred to in this subsection as the "Program").

(2) Requirements

Under the Program, the Secretary shall establish a network of clean plant centers for diagnostic and pathogen elimination services—

(A) to produce clean propagative plant material; and

(B) to maintain blocks of pathogen-tested plant material in sites located throughout the United States.

(3) Availability of clean plant source material

Clean plant source material may be made available to—

(A) a State for a certified plant program of the State; and

(B) private nurseries and producers.

(4) Consultation and collaboration

In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall—

(A) consult with—

(i) State departments of agriculture; and

(ii) land-grant colleges and universities and NLGCA Institutions (as those terms are defined in section 3103 of this title); and

(B) to the extent practicable and with input from the appropriate State officials and industry representatives, use existing Federal or State facilities to serve as clean plant centers.

(5) Funding for fiscal year 2013

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.

(f) Funding

Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section—

(1) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;

(2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;

(3) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;

(4) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2012;

(5) $62,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2017; and

(6) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal year thereafter.

(g) Use of funds for clean plant network

Of the funds made available under subsection (f) to carry out this section for a fiscal year, not less than $5,000,000 shall be available to carry out the National Clean Plant Network under subsection (e).

(h) Limitation on indirect costs for the consolidation of plant pest and disease management and disaster prevention programs

Indirect costs charged against a cooperative agreement under this section shall not exceed the lesser of—

(1) 15 percent of the total Federal funds provided under the cooperative agreement, as determined by the Secretary; and

(2) the indirect cost rate applicable to the recipient as otherwise established by law.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title IV, §420, as added Pub. L. 110–234, title X, §10201(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1339, and Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title X, §10201(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2101; Pub. L. 113–79, title X, §10007(a), (b), (d), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 947, 948; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(40), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4309.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of this paragraph, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–246, which was approved June 18, 2008.

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 enacted identical sections. Pub. L. 110–234 was repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "Chapter 10 of title 5" for "Federal Advisory Committee Act" in heading and "Chapter 10 of title 5" for "The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.)" in text.

2014—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 113–79, §10007(a), added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).

Subsec. (f)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 113–79, §10007(b), substituted semicolon at end for "and each fiscal year thereafter." in par. (4), and added pars. (5) and (6).

Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 113–79, §10007(d), added subsecs. (g) and (h).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Enactment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 8701 of this title.