Title 7 › Chapter 110— ENHANCING CONTROLS ON DANGEROUS BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND TOXINS › Subchapter I— DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › § 8401
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to make and keep a list of biological agents and toxins that could seriously hurt animal or plant health or harm animal or plant products. The Secretary must decide what to list by looking at how the agent or toxin affects health and markets, how it spreads, how dangerous it is, whether treatments or vaccines exist, whether listing would greatly hurt research, and any other needed factors. The Secretary must talk with other federal agencies and experts. The list must be reviewed and republished every two years or sooner if needed. The Secretary must write rules that require safe handling, trained staff, proper labs, and security to stop theft or misuse. Rules must cover how to respond if a listed agent or toxin is moved or released improperly. People and labs must register if they possess, use, or transfer listed agents or toxins, show a lawful purpose, and provide identification and characterization data when available. Registrants must give names of people who need access and update them at least once every five years. The Attorney General will check those names in federal criminal, immigration, national security, and other databases to find people in restricted categories (including categories in 18 U.S.C. 175b(d)(1) or those suspected of certain terrorism or serious crimes). The Attorney General tells the Secretary, who tells the registrant and the individual whether access is allowed. The rules must let the Secretary inspect registrants and offer a review process for denials. Some clinical labs and approved or investigational products that contain agents may be exempt in certain ways, and short emergency exemptions may be allowed for up to 30 days plus one 30-day extension; decisions on investigational-product exemption requests must be made within 14 days after required filings. Certain registration, security, theft/loss, and release information is kept confidential from public disclosure. Violating the rules can bring civil fines up to $250,000 for an individual and $500,000 for others. The Secretary must report to Congress each year on theft, loss, and release notifications. Funds were authorized as needed for fiscal years 2002 through 2007. Definitions in one line each: biological agent and toxin — meanings in 18 U.S.C. 178; listed agents and toxins — those on the Secretary’s list; overlap agents and toxins — agents listed here and also under 42 U.S.C. 262a; person — includes federal, state, and local government; registered person — someone registered under these rules; Secretary — the Secretary of Agriculture.
Full Legal Text
Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
7 U.S.C. § 8401
Title 7 — Agriculture
Last Updated
Apr 3, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60