§5925. Specialized research programs
(a) Animal lean content research
The Secretary of Agriculture is encouraged to fund research for the development of technology which will ascertain the lean content of animal carcasses to be used for human consumption.
(b) Ethanol research
In order to further carry on and enhance needed ethanol research, the facility of the Agricultural Research Service located at Peoria, Illinois (authorized by section 1292 of this title), may enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, and the exchange of scientific information with the Department of Energy in the area of ethanol research. Such facility shall on and after November 28, 1990, be referred to as the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
(c) Aflatoxin research
The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a research program for the purpose of determining the presence of aflatoxin in the food and feed chains. The research required under this subsection shall include research in the following areas:
(1) The examination of agricultural commodities, products, and feeds for the presence and quantity of aflatoxin.
(2) The examination of human populations to assess the exposure level to aflatoxin.
(3) The examination of safe levels of aflatoxin in the food and feed chains.
(4) The development and assessment of control methods for aflatoxin, including methods to handle, store, detoxify, and dispose of aflatoxin-contaminated agricultural commodities, products, and feeds.
(5) The development of effective methods of controlling the aflatoxin contamination of agricultural products in international trade when the level of such contamination exceeds an acceptable level.
(6) The development of plants resistant to aflatoxin contamination.
(7) The improvement of sampling and analysis methods for aflatoxin.
(8) The effect of aflatoxin on animal disease through immunosuppression and interaction with other disease agents.
(9) The economic consequences of aflatoxin contamination.
(d) Mesquite research
(1) Research required
The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a research program for the purpose of developing enhanced production methods and commercial uses of mesquite.
(2) Competitive grants
The Secretary shall make competitive grants, for periods not to exceed 5 years, to a State agricultural experiment station, a college or university, or a consortium of such entities, for a research project in the research areas identified in paragraph (3).
(3) Research areas
A grant available under paragraph (2) shall be awarded to an applicant to conduct research in-
(A) the development of techniques to produce, from small-diameter, short-length, or otherwise irregular mesquite logs, solid-wood products useful as flooring, furniture parts, turning blanks, and such other uses as may have potential economic value;
(B) the development of management techniques designed to improve stands for quality lumber production from mesquite; and
(C) such other methods of production, harvesting, processing, and marketing that are designed to provide viable markets for mesquite and lead to the commercialization of mesquite as a cash crop.
(4) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated $100,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through 1995 to carry out this subsection.
(e) Prickly pear research
(1) Research required
The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a research program for the purpose of investigating enhanced genetic selection and processing techniques of prickly pears.
(2) Competitive grants
The Secretary shall make competitive grants, for periods not to exceed 5 years, to a State agricultural experiment station, a college or university, or a consortium of such entities, for research projects in the research areas identified in paragraph (3).
(3) Research areas
A grant available under paragraph (2) shall be awarded to an applicant to conduct research-
(A) to investigate, through genetic selection, the development of varieties of prickly pear with improved growth, freeze tolerance, and harvest characteristics;
(B) to develop techniques to produce and process prickly pear as a food source; and
(C) to continue to investigate the nutritional value and health benefits of prickly pears.
(4) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated $100,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through 1995 to carry out this subsection.
(f) Immunoassay research
(1) Research required
The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish and carry out a program to make grants to colleges and universities for research relating to immunoassay used-
(A) to detect agricultural pesticide residues on agricultural commodities for human consumption; and
(B) to diagnose animal and plant diseases.
(2) Preference
In making grants under this subsection, the Secretary may give preference to those colleges and universities that, as of November 28, 1990, are conducting research described in this subsection.
(g) Niche market development
The Secretary shall make research and extension grants available for the development of agricultural production and marketing systems that will service niche markets located in nearby metropolitan areas. In awarding such grants, the Secretary shall pay particular attention to areas-
(1) with a high concentration of small farm operations; and
(2) that experience difficulty in delivering products to market due to geographic isolation.
(h) Scrapie research
(1) Research authorized
The Secretary of Agriculture may establish and carry out a program to conduct research on the disease of scrapie in sheep and goats, including research regarding the following:
(A) Methods for detecting infection of animals with scrapie before the animals become symptomatic.
(B) Methods for treatment, prevention, and cure of scrapie.
(C) Methods for controlling the spread of scrapie.
(2) Grants and contracts
In carrying out a research program established under this subsection, the Secretary may make grants to and contract with Federal, State, and local agencies and any other organizations that are experienced in research regarding animal diseases.
(3) Coordination
The Secretary shall coordinate the research program established under this subsection with other research programs regarding encephalopathies, in particular research regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle.
(i) Deer tick ecology and related research
There are authorized to be appropriated $250,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through 1995 to be used by the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Cooperative State Research Service, to make competitive grants to assist research in the field of population ecology of deer ticks and other insects and pests which transmit Lyme disease.
(j) New commercial products from natural plant materials
The Secretary of Agriculture may-
(1) conduct fundamental and applied research related to the development of new commercial products derived from natural plant materials for industrial, medical, and agricultural applications; and
(2) participate with colleges and universities, other Federal agencies, and private sector entities in conducting such research.
(k) Administrative provisions
(1) Peer review
Research funded under this section shall be subject to peer review at such times as the Secretary considers necessary for the purpose of reviewing the progress and efficacy of the research and the justification and need for continued funding.
(2) Limitation on use of funds
Funds provided under this section may not be used for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.
(3) General eligibility
Unless otherwise specified in this section, State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals shall be eligible to participate in the programs established by this section.
(Pub. L. 101 624, title XVI, §1672, Nov. 28, 1990,
Amendments
1991-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102 237, §407(11), redesignated pars. (A) to (I) as (1) to (9), respectively.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 102 237, §406(1), substituted "Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Cooperative State Research Service, to make competitive grants" for "Agricultural Research Service".
Subsec. (k)(1). Pub. L. 102 237, §406(2), substituted "Research" for "Except for research funded under subsection (i), research".