USDA 2007 Farm Bill Proposals - US Department of Agriculture

Recommended SolutionThe Administration is recommending several reforms and new initiatives for Title VII of thefarm bill – entitled “Research and Related Matters.” Following is a list of the major componentsof the package.1. Consolidate USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Cooperative StateResearch, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) into a single agency named theResearch, Education, and Extension Service (REES), which will coordinate bothintramural and extramural research, extension, and education programs. (For furtherinformation, see the proposal entitled “Research, Education And Economics (REE)Mission Area Reorganization” on pages 127– 128.)2. Rename the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area the Office ofScience. (For further information, see the proposal entitled “Research, Education AndEconomics (REE) Mission Area Reorganization” on pages 127 – 128.)3. Establish an annual $50 million Agricultural Bio-Energy and Bio-Based ProductsResearch Initiative to advance fundamental scientific knowledge for the improvedproduction of renewable fuels and bio-based products. (For further information, see theproposal entitled “Agricultural Bio-Energy and Bio-Based Products Research Initiative”on pages 129 – 130.)4. Establish an annual $100 million Specialty Crop Research Initiative to provide sciencebasedtools for the specialty crop industry. (For further information, see the proposalentitled “Specialty Crop Research Initiative” on pages 131 – 132.)5. Authorize USDA to conduct research and diagnostics for highly infectious foreign animaldiseases on mainland locations in the U.S. (For further information, see the proposalentitled “Foreign Animal Disease Research” on page 133.)6. Invest an additional $10 million in mandatory funding to be available until expended fororganic research. This new funding would focus on conservation and environmentaloutcomes and new and improved seed varieties especially suited for organic agriculture.(For further information, see the proposal entitled “Organic Farming Initiatives” on pages166 – 167.)USDA 2007 Farm Bill Proposals Page 126 of 183