Page images
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

PROPOSED BILL LANGUAGE

Mr. WHITTEN. This year you have proposed adding new language to your bill language which would provide that your funds can be used to provide "financial assistance to the organizers of international conferences, if such conferences are in support of agency programs." Why is this language needed?

Dr. BERTRAND. A Comptroller General's opinion, 45 Comp. Gen. 333, recently held that research funds may not be used to partially support the costs of holding an international conference as a means of acquiring research information without the acquiesence of Congress.

This opinion threw a legal cloud over the USDA's long standing reliance on other authority to make such payments notwithstanding the provisions of 22 U.S.C. 262, at point in the Comptroller General's decision. Though the decision does not expressly negate the general authority on which we rely, the advice of USDA's Office of General Counsel is that specific language authorizing such payments be requested.

Mr. WHITTEN. Have you provided support of this type in the past, and if so, what did you use for your authority to provide such support?

Dr. BERTRAND. USDA, Science and Education Administration, has helped defray such organizational expenses for international conferences in the past, where such conferences would contribute to the efficient pursuit of authorized USDA missions. USDA is specifically authorized to participate in meetings by 5 U.S.C. 5946— formerly 5 U.S.C. 83-exempting USDA from the ban on payment of expenses incident to the "acquiring of information at meetings by its employees." 7 U.S.C. 3291 gives additional authority for USDA's support of international meetings by authorizing the expansion of international research materials exchange, together with the expansion of operational coordination with institutions and people world-wide.

The foregoing authority has long been relied on by USDA as adequate to exempt it from 22 U.S.Č. 262, requiring specific authority for participation in any international congress, conference, or like event. The recent Comptroller General's opinion makes it legally prudent to request express legislative language authorizing USDA, Science and Education Administration's international participation "if such conferences are in support of agency programs." Mr. WHITTEN. What would you anticipate your expenditures would be in support of this during fiscal year 1982, and how would that compare with fiscal years 1981 and 1980?

Dr. BERTRAND. We anticipate expenditures of $110,000 in fiscal year 1982. We compare that with $153,000 in 1980, and $125,000 in 1981.

FOOD SAFETY AND NUTRITION

Mr. WHITTEN. You are asking for an increase of $2 million for animal production research in support of FDA, FSQS, and APHIS, and you say that, "Food derived from animals will need to be even more safe and nutritious than it is at present." To what extent are you implying that food derived from animals is not safe and nutritious as of the present time?

Dr. BERTRAND. We did not intend to imply that food derived from animals is presently not nutritious or is unsafe. We intended to indicate that we will have even greater assurance because of a better understanding of its nutritional value and an improved ability to predict potential harmful contaminants. The objective of the research on food derived from animals is to provide consumers with nutritious, wholesome, high-quality, safe food from animals at affordable prices.

As a part of research to support FDA, FSQS, and APHIS, assuring safety of food and forestalling emerging safety problems in food, research will include studies on metabolism and toxicity of chemicals, feed additives, hormones, antibiotics, and plant toxicants. In addition, animal disease research will be initiated to solve problems on the control or eradication of bluetongue, African swine fever, screwworms, cattle ticks, and scabies.

DRUG USE EDUCATION

Mr. WHITTEN. In connection with this research you refer to the need to identify the effects of drugs, chemicals and biological agents on animals. In addition to your research program, what are you doing in the area of the Extension Service as far as educating producers in the proper use of drugs and chemicals and biological agents so that they have a better understanding of how these should be used?

Dr. BERTRAND. The proper use of chemicals, including drugs, is an integral part of all Extension veterinarians, animal scientists, and poultry specialists educational program. These programs include workshops, publications, newsletters, radio, T.V., newspaper articles, etc. Farmers are usually interested only in the chemicals they use in their production system. These chemicals vary from specie to specie and the type of production within specie. The educational programs that address the production of a particular specie and/or type of production activity cover the proper usage and withdrawal schedules for any recommended chemicals for controlling disease and parasites or for improving growth and feed efficiency.

It should be noted that state feed control boards uniformly adhere to Food and Drug Administration regulations concerning feeding levels and withdrawal times. Extension personnel spends considerable educational effort teaching producers to follow label requirements. This same approach is utilized in pesticide labeling.

ALTERNATIVES TO NITRITE

Mr. WHITTEN. You also refer to research you have underway to find alternatives to nitrite. The National Academy of Sciences currently has a study underway in support of USDA and FDA. Why are you conducting this research in advance of them making their recommendations?

Dr. BERTRAND. Work was already underway at the Eastern Regional Research Center as part of the project on the chemistry of nitrosamine formation and inhibition. In addition, work was already underway on looking for chemical anticlostridial agents and physical methods to control C. botulinum, i.e., water activity. All

« PreviousContinue »