Market Protection and Promotion

Objective

The Federal Seed Program prevents mislabeled seed from moving in interstate commerce by providing for random sampling of seeds to insure accurate labeling of seed characteristics. The Pesticide Data Program works with participating States to collect and analyze data on pesticide use and residue levels for selected commodities in the nation's food supply. This program provides statistically based data to Federal agencies for use in making policy decisions for regulatory and educational purposes. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) is a labeling law that requires retailers (ie grocery stores) to notify their customers of the country of origin for covered commodities: muscle cut and ground meats for lamb, goat, and chicken; wild and farm-raised fish and shellfish (including method of production); fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables; peanuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, and ginseng. The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) requires food manufacturers, importers and other entities that label foods for retail sale to disclose information about bioengineered (BE) foods and BE food ingredients. This program requires AMS regulatory authorities to respond to stakeholder inquiries, monitor complaints and enforce labeling requirements. An annual update is required to the List of Bioengineered Foods (List) that tells regulated entities which foods they must keep records for and which foods may require BE disclosures. This program provides scientific fellowships that monitor the development of new technologies and contributes to BE policy decisions.

Who Can Apply

• Unrestricted by Entity Type
• Unrestricted by Individual Type
• U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)
• Not-for-Profit Organization
• For-Profit Organization

Any State government, public and private organization and institution, business and industry, or individual may apply for technical assistance or service. State, trade associations, and universities may be eligible for cooperative agreements.

Who Benefits

• Individual/Family
• Small business
• Profit organization
• Private nonprofit institution/organization
• Quasi-public nonprofit organization
• Other private institution/organization
• Farmer/Rancher/Agriculture Producer
• State
• Public nonprofit institution/organization
• Other public institution/organization

Any State government, public and private organization and institution, business and industry, or individual may apply for technical assistance or service. For COOL: Any State government, public and private organization and institution, business and industry, or individual may apply for technical assistance or service. For NBFDS: USDA will fund a Science & Technology Policy Fellowship that will foster a network of science and engineering candidates and connect them with leaders who understand government policymaking. Any nonprofit general scientific member association may apply and be considered for hosting a fellowship.

Assistance Types

• Cooperative Agreement

Program Contact

erin.morris@usda.gov
202-720-5115