2.16—Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.
(a)
The following delegations of authority are made by the Secretary of Agriculture to the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services:
(1) Related to consolidated farm service.
(i)
Formulate policies and administer programs authorized by the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1282
et seq. ).
(ii)
Formulate policies and administer programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1441
et seq. ).
(B)
Assigning symbols for new aerial photography, maintaining symbol records, and furnishing symbol books;
(C)
Recording departmental aerial photography flow and coordinating the issuance of aerial photography status maps of latest coverage;
(D)
Promoting interchange of technical information and techniques to develop lower costs and better quality;
(E)
Representing the Department on committees, task forces, work groups, and other similar groups concerned with aerial photography acquisition and reproduction, and serving as liaison with other governmental agencies on aerial photography but excluding mapping;
(G)
Coordinating development, preparation, and issuance of specifications for aerial photography for the Department;
(H)
Coordinating and performing procurement, inspection, and application of specifications for USDA aerial photography;
(I)
Providing for liaison with EROS Data Center to support USDA programs and research with satellite imagery reproductions; and
(J)
Maintaining library and files of USDA aerial film and retrieving and supplying reproductions on request.
(iv)
Administer the Agricultural Conservation Program under title X of the Agricultural Act of 1970, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1501
et seq. ), and under the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 590g
et seq. ).
(v)
Administer the Emergency Conservation Program under the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978, as amended (16 U.S.C. 2201
et seq. ).
(vi)
Conduct fiscal, accounting and claims functions relating to Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) programs for which the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services has been delegated authority under paragraph (a)(3) of this section and, in conjunction with other agencies of the U.S. Government, develop and formulate agreements to reschedule amounts due from foreign countries.
(vii)
Conduct assigned activities under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stockpiling Act, as amended (50 U.S.C. 98
et seq. ).
(viii)
Supervise and direct Farm Service Agency State and county offices and delegate functions to be performed by Farm Service Agency State and county committees.
(ix)
Administer the dairy indemnity program under the Act of August 13, 1968, as amended (7 U.S.C. 450j
et seq. ).
(x)
Administer procurement, processing, handling, distribution, disposition, transportation, payment, and related services with respect to surplus removal and supply operations which are carried out under section 210 of the Agricultural Act of 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1859 ), the Act of August 19, 1958, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1431 note), and section 709 of the Food and Agricultural Act of 1965, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1446a-1 ), except as delegated in paragraph (a)(3) of this section and to the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services in § 2.19, and assist the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services and the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs in the procurement, handling, payment, and related services under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, as amended (7 U.S.C. 612c ), the Act of June 28, 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 713c ), the National School Lunch Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1751, et seq. ), section 8 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1777 ), section 311 of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3030a ), section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, as amended (7 U.S.C. 612c note), and section 1114 of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (7 U.S.C. 1431e ).
(xii)
Administer the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3501
et seq. ), except those functions delegated in § 2.21(a)(8)(xi).
(xiv)
Conduct producer referenda of commodity promotion programs under the Beef Research and Information Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2901
et seq. ), and the Agricultural Promotion Programs Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 6001
et seq. ).
(xv)
Conduct field operations of diversion programs for fresh fruits and vegetables under section 32 of the Act of August 29, 1935.
(xvi)
Administer the U.S. Warehouse Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 241-273 ), and perform compliance examinations for Farm Service Agency programs.
(xviii)
Formulate and carry out the Conservation Reserve Program, including the implementation of technical assistance, under the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1231
et seq. ).
(xix)
Carry out functions relating to highly erodible land and wetland conservation under sections 1211-1213 and 1221-1223 of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C. 3811-381 3 and 3821-3823).
(xxiii)
Formulate and administer regulations regarding program ineligibility resulting from convictions under Federal or State law of planting, cultivating, growing, producing, harvesting, or storing a controlled substance, as required under section 1764 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (21 U.S.C. 881a ).
(xxv)
Administer all programs of the Commodity Credit Corporation that provide assistance with respect to the production of agricultural commodities, including disaster assistance and the domestic marketing of such commodities, except as may otherwise be reserved by the Secretary of Agriculture, and similar programs (including commodity quality development programs) consigned by statute to the Secretary of Agriculture unless otherwise delegated.
(xxvi)
Administer the following provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 with respect to functions otherwise delegated to the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services:
(C)
The development of a plan and related report to coordinate land retirement and agricultural working land conservation programs under section 2005 (16 U.S.C. 3801 note).
(xxvii)
Formulate and carry out the Grassroots Source Water Protection Program authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-2 ).
(xxviii)
Administer cooperative agreements authorized under 7 U.S.C. 2204b(b)(4) with respect to conservation programs.
(xxix)
Administer the feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers under section 9010 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8110) and the biomass crop assistance program under section 9011 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8111 ).
(xxx)
Administer the Grassland Reserve Program under sections 1238N-1238Q of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838n-383 8q) in cooperation with the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.
(xxxi)
Administer the provisions of section 1240R of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-5) regarding voluntary public access and habitat incentives.
(xxxii)
Implement the authority in section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) to accept and use voluntary contributions of non-Federal funds in support of natural resources conservation programs under subtitle D of title XII of that Act with respect to authorities delegated to the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.
(xxxiii)
In coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Administration, issue receipts under section 2501A(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279-1(e) ).
(xxxiv)
Administer the following provisions of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Public Law 110-246:
(E)
Section 1621 relating to direct reimbursement payments to geographically disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(H)
Section 14212 relating to the closure or relocation of county or field offices of the Farm Service Agency.
(I)
Section 15353(a) relating to information reporting for Commodity Credit Corporation transactions.
(xxxv)
Implement the information disclosure authorities of section 1619(b)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8791(b)(3)(A) ).
(2) Related to farm credit.
(i)
Administer the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921
et seq. ), except for the authority contained in the following sections:
(C)
Section 306A (7 U.S.C. 1926a) and section 306B (7 U.S.C. 1926b ), relating to the emergency community water assistance grant programs;
(D)
Section 306C (7 U.S.C. 1926c) to administer the water and waste facility loans and grants to alleviate health risks;
(E)
Sections 309 (7 U.S.C. 1929) and 309A (7 U.S.C. 1929a ), regarding assets and programs related to rural development;
(F)
Section 310A (7 U.S.C. 1931 ), relating to watershed and resource conservation and development loans;
(J)
Section 364 (7 U.S.C. 2006f ), section 365 (7 U.S.C. 2008 ), section 366 (7 U.S.C. 2008a ), section 367 (7 U.S.C. 2008b ), and section 368 (7 U.S.C. 2008c ), regarding assets and programs related to rural development; and
(K)
Administrative provisions of subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act related to Rural Utilities Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Housing Service activities.
(ii)
Collect, service, and liquidate loans made or insured by the Farm Service Agency, or its predecessor agencies.
(iii)
Administer the Rural Rehabilitation Corporation Trust Liquidation Act (40 U.S.C. 440
et seq. ), and trust, liquidation, and other agreements entered into pursuant thereto.
(v)
Administer Farmers Home Administration or any successor agency assets conveyed in trust under the Participation Sales Act of 1966 (12 U.S.C. 1717 ).
(vi)
Administer the Emergency Loan and Guarantee Programs under sections 232, 234, 237, and 253 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970 (Pub. L. No. 91-606), the Disaster Relief Act of 1969 (Pub. L. No. 91-79), Pub. L. No. 92-385, approved August 16, 1972, and the Emergency Livestock Credit Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93-357), as amended.
(vii)
Administer loans to homestead or desertland entrymen and purchasers of land in reclamation projects or to an entryman under the desertland law (7 U.S.C. 1006a and 1006b ).
(viii)
Administer the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3711
et seq. ), and joint regulations issued pursuant thereto by the Attorney General and the Comptroller General (4 CFR chapter II), with respect to claims of the Farm Service Agency.
(A)
Deferred land purchase obligations of individuals under the Wheeler-Case Act of August 11, 1939, as amended (16 U.S.C. 590y ), and under the item, “Water Conservation and Utilization projects” in the Department of the Interior Appropriation Act, 1940 (53 Stat. 719), as amended;
(C)
Loans made in conformance with section 4 of the Southeast Hurricane Disaster Relief Act of 1965 (79 Stat. 1301).
(x)
Administer loans to Indian tribes, tribal corporations, and purchasers of highly fractionated land (25 U.S.C. 488-492 ).
(xi)
Administer the State Agricultural Loan Mediation Program under title 5 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101
et seq. )
(xii)
Administer financial assistance programs relating to Economic Opportunity Loans to Cooperatives under part A of title III and part D of title I and the necessarily related functions in title VI of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2763-276 8, 2841-2855, 2942, 2943(b), 2961), delegated by the Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity to the Secretary of Agriculture by documents dated October 23, 1964 ( 29 FR 14764 ), and June 17, 1968 ( 33 FR 9850 ), respectively.
(xiii)
Exercise all authority and discretion vested in the Secretary by section 331(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended by section 2 of the Farmers Home Administration Improvement Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103-248 (7 U.S.C. 1981(c) ), including the following:
(A)
Determine, with the concurrence of the General Counsel, which actions are to be referred to the Department of Justice for the conduct of litigation, and refer such actions to the Department of Justice through the General Counsel;
(B)
Determine, with the concurrence of the General Counsel, which actions are to be referred to the General Counsel, for the conduct of litigation and refer such actions; and
(C)
Enter into contracts with private sector attorneys for the conduct of litigation, with the concurrence of the General Counsel, after determining that the attorneys will provide competent and cost effective representation for the Farm Service Agency.
(xiv)
Administer programs for Apple Loans and Emergency Loans for Seed Producers under sections 203(f) and 253, respectively, of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1421 note, Pub. L. 106-224).
(xv)
Administer evaluations of direct and guaranteed loan programs under section 5301 of the Farm security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1922 note).
(3) Related to foreign agriculture.
(i)
Coordinate the carrying out by Department agencies of their functions involving foreign agricultural policies and programs and their operations and activities in foreign areas. Act as liaison on these matters and functions relating to foreign agriculture between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of State, the United States Trade Representative, the Trade Policy Committee, the Agency for International Development, and other departments, agencies, and committees of the U.S. Government, foreign governments, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Organization of American States, and other public and private U.S. and international organizations, and the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
(ii)
Administer Departmental programs concerned with development of foreign markets for agricultural products of the United States except functions relating to export marketing operations under section 32 of the Act of August 23, 1935, as amended (7 U.S.C. 612c ), delegated to the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and utilization research delegated to the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.
(iii)
Conduct studies of worldwide production, trade, marketing, prices, consumption, and other factors affecting exports and imports of U.S. agricultural commodities; obtain information on methods used by other countries to move farm commodities in world trade on a competitive basis for use in the development of programs of this Department; provide information to domestic producers, the agricultural trade, the public and other interests; and promote normal commercial markets abroad. This delegation excludes basic and long-range analyses of world conditions and developments affecting supply, demand, and trade in farm products and general economic analyses of the international financial and monetary aspects of agricultural affairs as assigned to the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.
(iv)
Conduct functions of the Department relating to GATT, WTO, the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. 1801
et seq. ), the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2101
et seq. ), the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2501
et seq. ), the Omnibus Trade and Competition Act of 1988 (19 U.S.C. 2901
et seq. ), the provisions of subtitle B of title III of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, and other legislation affecting international agricultural trade including the programs designed to reduce foreign tariffs and other trade barriers.
(v)
Maintain a worldwide agricultural intelligence and reporting system, including provision for foreign agricultural representation abroad to protect and promote U.S. agricultural interests, and to acquire information on demand, competition, marketing, and distribution of U.S. agricultural commodities abroad pursuant to title VI of the Agricultural Act of 1954, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1761-176 8).
(vi)
Exercise the Department's functions with respect to the International Coffee Agreement or any such future agreement.
(vii)
Administer functions of the Department relating to import controls, except those functions reserved to the Secretary in paragraph (b) of this section and those relating to section 8e of the Agricultural Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 608e-1 ), as assigned to the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. These include:
(A)
Functions under section 22 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, as amended (7 U.S.C. 624 );
(C)
Requests for emergency relief from duty-free imports of perishable products filed with the Department of Agriculture under section 213(f) of the Caribbean Basin Recovery Act of 1983 (19 U.S.C. 2703(f) );
(F)
Functions under sections 309 and 316 of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 3358 and 3381 );
(G)
Section 301(a) of the United States-Canada Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 2112 note); and
(viii)
Represent the Department on the Interdepartmental Committee for Export Control and to conduct departmental activities to carry out the provisions of the Export Administration Act of 1969, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2401 et seq. ), except as reserved to the Secretary under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(ix)
Exercise the Department's responsibilities in connection with international negotiations of the Grains Trade Convention and in the administration of such Convention.
(x)
Plan and carry out programs and activities under the foreign market promotion authority of: The Wheat Research and Promotion Act (7 U.S.C. 1292 note); the Cotton Research and Promotion Act (7 U.S.C. 2101-211 8); the Potato Research and Promotion Act (7 U.S.C. 2611-262 7); the Egg Research and Consumer Information Act of 1974 (7 U.S.C. 2701-271 8); the Beef Research and Information Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2901-291 1); the Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education Act (7 U.S.C. 3401-341 7); the Floral Research and Consumer Information Act of 1981 (7 U.S.C. 4301-431 9); subtitle B of title I of the Dairy and Tobacco Adjustment Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4501-451 4); the Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act of 1984, as amended (7 U.S.C. 4601-461 3); the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 4801-481 9); the Watermelon Research and Promotion Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 4901-491 6); the Pecan Promotion and Research Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6001-601 3); the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6101-611 2); the Lime Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6201-621 2); the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6301-631 1); the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6401-641 7); the Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 6801-681 4); the Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7101-711 1); the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7411-742 5); the Canola and Rapeseed Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 7441-745 2); the National Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 7461-747 3); and, the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (7 U.S.C. 7481-749 1). This authority includes determining the programs and activities to be undertaken and assuring that they are coordinated with the overall departmental programs to develop foreign markets for U.S. agricultural products.
(xi)
Formulate policies and administer barter programs under which agricultural commodities are exported.
(xii)
Perform functions of the Department in connection with the development and implementation of agreements to finance the sale and exportation of agricultural commodities under Public Law 480, 83rd Congress, hereafter referred to as “Public Law 480” (7 U.S.C. 1691, 1701
et seq. ).
(xiii)
Administer commodity procurement and supply, transportation (other than from point of export, except for movement to trust territories or possessions), handling, payment, and related services in connection with programs under titles II and III of Public Law 480 (7 U.S.C. 1691, 1701
et seq. ), and payment and related services with respect to export programs and barter operations.
(xiv)
Coordinate within the Department activities arising under Public Law 480 (except as delegated to the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics in § 2.21(a)(8) ), and represent the Department in its relationships in such matters with the Department of State, any interagency committee on Public Law 480, and other departments, agencies and committees of the Government.
(xv)
Formulate policies and implement programs to promote the export of dairy products, as authorized under section 153 of the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (15 U.S.C. 713a-14 ).
(xvi)
Formulate policies and implement a program for the export sales of dairy products, as authorized by section 1163 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1731 note).
(xvii)
Carry out activities relating to the sale, reduction, or cancellation of debt, as authorized by title VI of the Agricultural Trade and Development Act of 1954, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1738
et seq. ).
(xix)
Determine the agricultural commodities acquired under price support programs which are available for export and allocate such commodities among the various export programs.
(xxi)
Exercise the Department's functions with respect to the International Sugar Agreement or any such future agreements.
(xxii)
Exercise the Department's responsibilities with respect to tariff-rate quotes for dairy products under chapter 4 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202 ).
(xxiii)
Serve as a focal point for handling quality or weight discrepancy inquiries from foreign buyers of U.S. agricultural commodities to insure that they are investigated and receive a timely response and that reports thereof are made to appropriate parties and government officials in order that corrective action may be taken.
(xxiv)
Establish and administer regulations relating to foreign travel by employees of the Department. Regulations will include, but not be limited to, obtaining and controlling passports, obtaining visas, coordinating Department of State medical clearances and imposing requirements for itineraries and contacting the Foreign Agricultural Affairs Officers upon arrival in the Officers' country(ies) of responsibility.
(xxv)
Formulate policies and administer programs and activities authorized by the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978, as amended (7 U.S.C. 5601
et seq. ).
(xxvi)
Administer the Foreign Service personnel system for the Department in accordance with 22 U.S.C. 3922, except as otherwise delegated to the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs in § 2.22(a)(2)(i), but including authority to approve joint regulations issued by the Department of State and authority to represent the Department of Agriculture in all interagency consultations and negotiations with the other foreign affairs agencies with respect to joint regulations.
(xxvii)
Establish and maintain U.S. Agricultural Trade Offices, to develop, maintain and expand international markets for U.S. agricultural commodities in accordance with title IV of Pub. L. No. 95-501 (7 U.S.C. 1765a-g ).
(xxviii)
Administer the programs under section 416(b) of the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1431(b) ), relating to the foreign donation of CCC stocks of agricultural commodities.
(xxxii)
Serve as Department adviser on policies, organizational arrangements, budgets, and actions to accomplish international scientific and technical cooperation in food and agriculture.
(xxxiii)
Administer and direct the Department's programs in international development, technical assistance, and training carried out under the Foreign Assistance Act, as amended, as requested under such act (22 U.S.C. 2151
et seq. ).
(xxxiv)
Administer and coordinate assigned Departmental programs in international research and scientific and technical cooperation with other governmental agencies, land grant universities, international organizations, international agricultural research centers, and other institutions (7 U.S.C. 1624, 3291 ).
(xxxv)
Direct and coordinate the Department's participation in scientific and technical matters and exchange agreements between the United States and other countries.
(xxxvi)
Direct and coordinate the Department's work in international organizations and interagency committees concerned with food and agricultural development programs (7 U.S.C. 2201-220 2).
(xxxvii)
Coordinate policy formulation for USDA international science and technology programs concerning international agricultural research centers, international organizations, and international agricultural research and extension activities (7 U.S.C. 3291 ).
(xxxviii)
Disseminate, upon request, information on subjects connected with agriculture which has been acquired by USDA agencies that may be useful to the U.S. private sector in expanding foreign markets and investment opportunities through the operation of a Department information center, pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2201.
(xxxix)
Enter into contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and cost reimbursable agreements relating to agricultural research, extension, or teaching activities (7 U.S.C. 3318, 3319a ).
(xl)
Determine amounts reimbursable for indirect costs under international agricultural programs and agreements (7 U.S.C. 3319 ).
(xlii)
Determine quantity trigger levels and impose additional duties under the special safeguard measures in accordance with U.S. note 2 to subchapter IV of chapter 99 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202 ).
(xliii)
Implement provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 regarding adjustment assistance for farmers (19 U.S.C. 2401-240 1g).
(xliv)
Implement section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1736o-1 ).
(xlv)
Implement section 3205 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (22 U.S.C. 7112 note) regarding the Consultative Group to Eliminate the Use of Child Labor and Forced Labor in Imported Agricultural Products, in consultation with the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.