ROMA Act

Tomato origin database for importers and growers

This bill would direct the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Agricultural Research Service, to create and keep a database of isotopic signatures for processing tomatoes. The department would collect scientific samples (domestic and foreign as appropriate) and could fund research or grants to improve testing methods. Federal agencies, universities, research stations, and private companies would be able to request access to the database, and grant recipients could retain data they generate. The Secretary would coordinate with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to support import inspections and must report to Congress within 2 years on the database, the research results, and any recommendations.