generate over $4 million in 1993 to promote product consumption. Marketing Agreements and Orders. AMS marketing agreements and orders are designed to stabilize market conditions and to improve the returns to producers. Because of recent rapid changes in market conditions, demands on AMS' administration of marketing agreements and orders continue to increase. In fiscal year 1991, we processed over 500 rulemaking, compliance, and administrative activities on marketing orders. We expect these activities to increase by approximately 40 percent by fiscal year 1993. То process the increased workload and speed up actions on handler non-compliance with marketing order regulations, we have added personnel and supplemented training programs. Compliance activities are necessary to ensure fairness to all parties under the order. Between 1991 and 1993, we expect that our investigations of suspected violations and referrals for prosecution will double. PURCHASER ASSURANCE PROGRAMS AMS also operates programs designed to build buyer confidence in agricultural products. In Egg Products Inspection. The egg products inspection program ensures product wholesomeness and safety for the consumer. 1991, we inspected nearly 2 billion pounds of processed egg products, a 12 percent increase over 1990. This represents inspection of more than 11 million pounds per staff year. continuing our efforts to monitor egg products for chemical We are 54-888 0-92--3 contaminants. enteritidis. We chaired a meeting of industry representatives, the Food and Drug Administration, and other USDA agencies, to explore egg refrigeration to reduce the incidence of Salmonella As a result, an all industry taskforce was formed to develop an industry position on this issue. Based on strong support for storage and shipping refrigeration temperature requirements by producers nationwide, the Egg Products Inspection Act was amended to require that eggs be held at 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less after packing. The amendment also established labeling requirements concerning refrigeration. We are currently drafting implementing regulations. In addition, we initiated a comprehensive study to determine the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in unpasteurized and pasteurized egg products. When the study is completed, we will have analyzed approximately 3,000 samples from all U.S. egg products processing plants. Beginning in 1991 and continuing in 1992, AMS is implementing five new programs to increase the availability of information concerning chemicals used in the production of agricultural commodities. Organic Standards. National standards are needed to facilitate interstate commerce in organically-produced fresh and processed foods. The National Organic Standards Board, an advisory committee that was required by the 1990 Farm Bill, has been appointed to develop standards for production and processing of agricultural products marketed as "organic." The Board will begin meetings late in March to develop a national list of allowable and prohibited substances. National standards will assure consumers that organically produced products meet consistent specifications. Pesticide Data. In the pesticide data program, we have been working with State programs to gather information involving pesticide residues on fresh produce. AMS implemented the Pesticide Data Program in fiscal year 1991 to collect objective, comprehensive data on pesticide residues as close to the dinner table as possible. The program is federally funded but its operations are carried out by six participating states-California, Florida, Michigan, New York, Texas, and Washington. We have closely coordinated our activities with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and the participating States. A draft memorandum of understanding between the agencies is being reviewed. The memorandum of understanding, which we expect will be signed this spring, will establish an executive level steering committee to provide direction on program policy. In 1991 we tested almost 2,000 samples, and expect to test about 6,000 samples in 1992. The program is currently sampling grapes, lettuce, potatoes, oranges, grapefruit, bananas, and apples. By the end of 1993, we plan to double the number of commodities sampled. Although the six States currently participating in the program represent all regional areas of the country, the sample collection could be extended to include a larger number of states within each region. This spring we will publish data summaries of fiscal year 1991 results. Laboratory Accreditation. We are developing a program to accredit laboratories which make claims to the public concerning pesticide residue levels. The National Laboratory Accreditation Program will ensure that these private laboratories meet minimum quality and reliability standards. AMS will operate the program using standards developed by the Food and Drug Administration. We will work with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's laboratory in Gulfport, Mississippi, to certify the private laboratories. The on-going costs for voluntary accreditation services will be funded through user fees assessed to participating laboratories. This program will provide the consumer with additional assurance that claims concerning the safety of the food supply are accurate. Pesticide Recordkeeping. Relative to environmental efforts concerning agricultural chemicals, we are developing regulations for the maintenance and availability of use data on restricted pesticides. As required by the 1990 Farm Bill, our program will require all certified private applicators to maintain records of restricted-use pesticides. In order to avoid duplication of effort, we have modeled our program after Environmental Protection Agency's requirements for commercial applicators and after existing state programs. To further minimize the burden on producers, our program will not require a unique form for recordkeeping. We are trying to use existing state programs wherever possible. Cosmetic Standards. We have initiated a study addressing the concern that certain appearance-related aspects of quality standards encourage the use of chemicals. AMS is preparing a report on the need for research involving the relationship between pesticide use and grade standards for fruits and vegetables. As requested, the report will be submitted to Congress late in March. In addition, AMS will hold public meetings in Miami and San Francisco on this issue. These meetings will be important avenues to communication with growers and consumers about their knowledge, perceptions, and experiences related to grade standards and pesticide use. 1993 BUDGET PROPOSALS For 1993, we Now I would like to turn to our budget proposals. Program Increases Our sole request for a program increase is for $780,000 to establish a program for certification of organic products, as required by the "Organic Foods Production Act". This program addresses the use of pesticides in agricultural production and develops standards for organic production. The funding requested will enable AMS to establish a Federal oversight program to work |