7 U.S.C. § 5405: Agricultural air quality…

Summary

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to keep strengthening research on how farming affects air quality. Congress found some studies link agriculture to PM–10 pollution but many used bad data. Federal research is already trying to find the true farm contribution and cost‑effective ways to reduce any pollution. Any federal advice on farm air pollution must be based on solid science checked by other scientists and must consider whether fixes are affordable. The Secretary must work with other federal agencies to coordinate research, avoid duplicate work, and help prevent reporting wrong data. The Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service must set up a task force made of USDA staff, industry representatives, and other agriculture and air quality experts. The task force will advise the Secretary on oversight and coordination of agricultural air quality efforts.

Title 7, §5405

Agriculture, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Findings

Congress finds that—

(1)various studies have alleged that agriculture is a source of PM–10 emissions;

(2)many of these studies have often been based on erroneous data;

(3)Federal research activities are currently being conducted by the Department of Agriculture to determine the true extent to which agricultural activities contribute to air pollution and to determine cost-effective ways in which the agricultural industry can reduce any pollution that exists; and

(4)any Federal policy recommendations that may be issued by any Federal agency to address air pollution problems related to agriculture or any other industrial activity should be based on sound scientific findings that are subject to adequate peer review and should take into account economic feasibility.

(b)Purpose

The purpose of this section is to encourage the Secretary of Agriculture to continue to strengthen vital research efforts related to agricultural air quality.

(c)Oversight coordination

(1)Intergovernmental cooperation

The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable with respect to the Department of Agriculture and other Federal departments and agencies, ensure intergovernmental cooperation in research activities related to agricultural air quality and avoid duplication of the activities.

(2)Correct data

The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the results of any research related to agricultural air quality conducted by Federal agencies not report erroneous data with respect to agricultural air quality.

(d)Task force

(1)Establishment

The Chief of the National Resources Conservation Service shall establish a task force to address agricultural air quality issues.

(2)Composition

The task force shall be comprised of employees of the Department of Agriculture, industry representatives, and other experts in the fields of agriculture and air quality.

(3)Duties

The task force shall advise the Secretary with respect to the role of the Secretary for providing oversight and coordination related to agricultural air quality.

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was enacted as part of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, and not as part of subtitle F (§ 1471 et seq.) of title XIV of Pub. L. 101–624 which comprises this chapter.

§5405 Agricultural Air Quality Research Oversight

Summary

Title 7, §5405

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Citations & Metadata