§8901 Definitions

Summary

Defines key words used to protect U.S. farming and food from harmful substances. Agent — any nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological substance that can make plants or animals sick or contaminate foods the Secretary of Agriculture regulates. Agricultural biosecurity — protection against agents that harm plant or animal health, contaminate USDA‑regulated products, or damage the environment near farms and ag facilities. Agricultural countermeasure — a product, practice, or technology meant to protect agriculture; it does not cover things made only for non‑agricultural human medical emergencies. Agricultural disease — as defined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Agricultural disease emergency — an outbreak that needs quick action to prevent major harm to people, plants, or animals. Agroterrorist act — an act that damages agriculture or hurts someone in agriculture and is done or seems done to frighten people or disrupt farming to influence government policy. Animal — as defined in section 8302. Department — the Department of Agriculture. Development — the research, formulation, testing, production, approval steps, and related actions to create or use animal health countermeasures, including use before formal approval. Plant — as defined in section 7702. Qualified agricultural countermeasure — an agricultural countermeasure the Secretary, with the Secretary of Homeland Security, names a priority to address a biosecurity threat.