dreamproit/uscode huggingface dataset:
7 U.S.C. § 6514 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 6514. Accreditation program
(a) In general
The Secretary shall establish and implement a program to accredit a governing State official, and any private person, that meets the requirements of this section as a certifying agent for the purpose of certifying a farm or handling operation as a certified organic farm or handling operation.
(b) Requirements
To be accredited as a certifying agent under this section, a governing State official or private person shall—
(1) prepare and submit, to the Secretary, an application for such accreditation;
(2) have sufficient expertise in organic farming and handling techniques as determined by the Secretary; and
(3) comply with the requirements of this section and section 6515 of this title.
(c) Additional documentation and verification
The Secretary, acting through the Deputy Administrator of the national organic program established under this chapter, has the authority, and shall grant a certifying agent the authority, to require producers and handlers to provide additional documentation or verification before granting a certification under section 6503 of this title, in the case of a compliance risk with respect to meeting the national standards for organic production established under section 6504 of this title, as determined by the Secretary or the certifying agent.
(d) Accreditation of foreign organic certification program
(1) In general
For an agricultural product being imported into the United States to be represented as organically produced, the Secretary shall require the agricultural product to be accompanied by a complete and valid national organic import certificate, which shall be available as an electronic record.
(2) Tracking system
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish a system to track national organic import certificates.
(B) Integration
In establishing the system under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may integrate the system into any existing information tracking systems for imports of agricultural products.
(e) Duration of accreditation
An accreditation made under this section—
(1) subject to paragraph (2), shall be for a period of not more than 5 years, as determined appropriate by the Secretary;
(2) in the case of a certifying agent operating in a foreign country, shall be for a period of time that is consistent with the certification of a domestic certifying agent, as determined appropriate by the Secretary; and
(3) may be renewed.
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXI, § 2115, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3944; Pub. L. 115–334, title X, § 10104(c), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4900.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 2018—Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 115–334 added subsecs. (c) to (e) and struck out former subsec. (c). Prior to amendment, text of subsec. (c) read as follows: “An accreditation made under this section shall be for a period of not to exceed 5 years, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, and may be renewed.”
7 U.S.C. § 6520 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 6520. Administrative appeal
(a) Expedited appeals procedure
The Secretary shall establish an expedited administrative appeals procedure under which persons may appeal an action of the Secretary, the applicable governing State official, or a certifying agent under this chapter that—
(1) adversely affects such person; or
(2) is inconsistent with the organic certification program established under this chapter.
(b) Appeal of final decision
A final decision of the Secretary under subsection (a) may be appealed to the United States district court for the district in which such person is located.
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXI, § 2121, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3950; Pub. L. 102–237, title X, § 1001(9), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1894.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1991—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–237 substituted “district court for the district” for “District Court for the District”.
7 U.S.C. § 6521 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 6521. Administration
(a) Regulations
Not later than 540 days after November 28, 1990, the Secretary shall issue proposed regulations to carry out this chapter.
(b) Assistance to State
(1) Technical and other assistance
The Secretary shall provide technical, administrative, and National Institute of Food and Agriculture assistance to assist States in the implementation of an organic certification program under this chapter.
(2) Financial assistance
The Secretary may provide financial assistance to any State that implements an organic certification program under this chapter.
(c) Access to data documentation systems
The Secretary shall have access to available data from cross-border documentation systems administered by other Federal agencies, including the Automated Commercial Environment system of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
(d) Reports
(1) In general
Not later than March 1, 2020, and annually thereafter through March 1, 2023, the Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make publicly available on the website of the Department of Agriculture, a report describing national organic program activities with respect to all domestic and overseas investigations and compliance actions taken pursuant to this chapter during the preceding year.
(2) Requirements
The data described in paragraph (1) shall be broken down by agricultural product, quantity, value, and month.
(3) Exception
Any data determined by the Secretary to be confidential business information shall not be provided in the report under paragraph (1).
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXI, § 2122, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3951; Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7511(c)(24), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1269; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7511(c)(24), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2031; Pub. L. 115–334, title X, § 10104(h), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4901.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Codification
text: Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
heading: Amendments
text: 2018—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 115–334 added subsecs. (c) and (d).
2008—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7511(c)(24), substituted “National Institute of Food and Agriculture” for “Extension Service”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
text: Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.
Amendment by section 7511(c)(24) of Pub. L. 110–246 effective Oct. 1, 2009, see section 7511(c) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 1522 of this title.
7 U.S.C. § 6524 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 6524. Organically produced food
In the case of a food certified under the national organic program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), the certification shall be considered sufficient to make a claim regarding the absence of bioengineering in the food, such as “not bioengineered”, “non-GMO”, or another similar claim.
(Pub. L. 114–216, § 2, July 29, 2016, 130 Stat. 838.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, referred to in text, is title XXI of Pub. L. 101–624, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3935, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6501 of this title and Tables.
heading: Codification
text: Section was enacted as part of Pub. L. 114–216, and not as part of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 which comprises this chapter.
7 U.S.C. § 6611 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 6611. Findings and purposes
(a) Findings
The Congress finds that—
(1) the economic well-being of rural America is vital to our national growth and prosperity;
(2) the economic well-being of many rural communities depends upon the goods and services that are derived from National Forest System land;
(3) the economies of many of these communities suffer from a lack of industrial and business diversity;
(4) this lack of diversity is particularly serious in communities whose economies are predominantly dependent on timber and recreation resources and where management decisions made on National Forest System land by Federal and private organizations may disrupt the supply of those resources;
(5) the Forest Service has expertise and resources that could be directed to promote modernization and economic diversification of existing industries and services based on natural resources;
(6) the Forest Service has the technical expertise to provide leadership, in cooperation with other governmental agencies and the private sector, to assist rural communities dependent upon National Forest System land resources to upgrade existing industries and diversify by developing new economic activity in non-forest-related industries; and
(7) technical assistance, training, education, and other assistance provided by the Department of Agriculture can be targeted to provide immediate help to those rural communities in greatest need.
(b) Purposes
The purposes of this subchapter are—
(1) to provide assistance to rural communities that are located in or near National Forest System land and that are economically dependent upon natural resources or are likely to be economically disadvantaged by Federal or private sector land management practices;
(2) to aid in diversifying such communities’ economic bases; and
(3) to improve the economic, social, and environmental well-being of rural America.
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIII, § 2373, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4046; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(3) [title III, § 345(a)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–203.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1999—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(3) [title III, § 345(a)(1)(A)], substituted “National Forest System land;” for “national forests;”.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(3) [title III, § 345(a)(1)(B)], substituted “National Forest System land” for “the national forests”.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(3) [title III, § 345(a)(1)(C)], substituted “natural resources;” for “forest resources;”.
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(3) [title III, § 345(a)(1)(D)], substituted “National Forest System land resources” for “national forest resources”.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 106–113, § 1000(a)(3) [title III, § 345(a)(2)], substituted “National Forest System land” for “national forests” and “natural resources” for “forest resources”.
7 U.S.C. § 6612 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 6612. Definitions
As used in this subchapter:
(1) The term “action team” means a rural natural resources and economic diversification action team established by the Secretary pursuant to section 6613(b) of this title.
(2) The term “economically disadvantaged” means economic hardship due to the loss of jobs or income (labor or proprietor) derived from forestry, the wood products industry, or related commercial enterprises such as recreation and tourism in the national forest.
(3) The term “rural community” means—
(A) any town, township, municipality, or other similar unit of general purpose local government, or any area represented by a not-for-profit corporation or institution organized under State or Federal law to promote broad based economic development, or unit of general purpose local government, as approved by the Secretary, that has a population of not more than 10,000 individuals, is located within a county in which at least 15 percent of the total primary and secondary labor and proprietor income is derived from forestry, wood products, and forest-related industries such as recreation, forage production, and tourism and that is located within the boundary, or within 100 miles of the boundary, of a national forest; or
(B) any county that is not contained within a Metropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget, in which at least 15 percent of the total primary and secondary labor and proprietor income is derived from forestry, wood products, and forest-related industries such as recreation, forage production, and tourism and that is located within the boundary, or within 100 miles of the boundary, of a national forest.
(4) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIII, § 2374, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4046; Pub. L. 103–115, Oct. 26, 1993, 107 Stat. 1117; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(3) [title III, § 345(b)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–203.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1999—Par. (1). Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “natural resources” for “forestry”.
1993—Par. (3). Pub. L. 103–115 amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: “The term ‘rural community’ means—
“(A) any town, township, municipality, or other similar unit of general purpose local government having a population of not more than 10,000 individuals (according to the latest decennial census) that is located in a county where at least 15 percent of the total primary and secondary labor and proprietor income is derived from forestry, wood products, and forest-related industries such as recreation and tourism; or
“(B) any county or similar unit of general purpose local government having a population of not more than 22,550 individuals (according to the latest decennial census) in which at least 15 percent of the total primary and secondary labor and proprietor income is derived from forestry, wood products, and forest-related industries such as recreation and tourism,
that is located within the boundary, or within 100 miles of the boundary, of a national forest.”
7 U.S.C. § 6613 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 6613. Rural natural resources and economic diversification action teams
(a) Requests for assistance
Economically disadvantaged rural communities may request assistance from the Secretary in identifying opportunities that will promote economic improvement and diversification and revitalization.
(b) Establishment
Upon request, the Secretary may establish rural natural resources and economic diversification action teams to prepare an action plan to provide technical assistance to economically disadvantaged communities. The action plan shall identify opportunities to promote economic diversification and enhance local economies now dependent upon National Forest System land resources. The action team may also identify opportunities to use value-added products and services derived from National Forest System land resources.
(c) Organization
The Secretary shall design and organize any action team established pursuant to subsection (b) to meet the unique needs of the requesting rural community. Each action team shall be directed by an employee of the Forest Service and may include personnel from other agencies within the Department of Agriculture, from other Federal and State departments and agencies, and from the private sector.
(d) Cooperation
In preparing action plans, the Secretary may cooperate with State and local governments, universities, private companies, individuals, and nonprofit organizations for procurement of services determined necessary or desirable.
(e) Eligibility
The Secretary shall ensure that no substantially similar geographical or defined local area in a State receives a grant for technical assistance to an economically disadvantaged community under this subchapter and a grant for assistance under a designated rural development program during any continuous five-year period.
(f) Approval
After reviewing requests under this section for financial and economic feasibility and viability, the Secretary shall approve and implement in accordance with section 6614 of this title those action plans that will achieve the purposes of this subchapter.
(g) “Designated rural development program” defined
In this section, the term “designated rural development program” means a program carried out under section 1924(b), 1926(a), or 1932(e) of this title for which funds are available at any time during the fiscal year.
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIII, § 2375, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4047; Pub. L. 104–127, title VII, § 753(b)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1131; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(3) [title III, § 345(c)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–204.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1999—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “natural resources” for “forestry” and substituted “National Forest System land resources” for “national forest resources” in two places.
1996—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 104–127, § 753(b)(1)(A), struck out “, as defined in section 2008(b)(2) of this title,” before “during any”.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104–127, § 753(b)(1)(B), added subsec. (g).
7 U.S.C. § 6614 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 6614. Action plan implementation
(a) In general
Action plans shall be implemented, insofar as practicable, to upgrade existing industries to use natural resources more efficiently and to expand the economic base of rural communities so as to alleviate or reduce their dependence on National Forest System land resources.
(b) Assistance
To implement action plans, the Secretary may make grants and enter into cooperative agreements and contracts to provide necessary technical and related assistance. Such grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts may be with the affected rural community, State and local governments, universities, corporations, and other persons.
(c) Limitation
The Federal contribution to the overall implementation of an action plan shall not exceed 80 percent of the total cost of the plan, including administrative and other costs. In calculating the Federal contribution, the Secretary shall take into account the fair market value of equipment, personnel, and services provided.
(d) Available authority
The Secretary may use the Secretary’s authority under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.) and other Federal, State, and local governmental authorities in implementing action plans.
(e) Consistency with forest plans
The implementation of action plans shall be consistent with land and resource management plans.
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIII, § 2376, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4048; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(3) [title III, § 345(d)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–204.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (d), is Pub. L. 95–313, July 1, 1978, 92 Stat. 365, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 41 (§ 2101 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2101 of Title 16 and Tables.
heading: Amendments
text: 1999—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “natural resources” for “forest resources” and “National Forest System land resources” for “national forest resources”.
7 U.S.C. § 6615 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 6615. Training and education
(a) Programs
In furtherance of an action plan, the Secretary may use the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and other appropriate agencies of the Department of Agriculture to develop and conduct education programs that assist businesses, elected or appointed officials, and individuals in rural communities to deal with the effects of a transition from being economically disadvantaged to economic diversification. These programs may include—
(1) community economic analysis and strategic planning;
(2) methods for improving and retooling enterprises now dependent on National Forest System land resources;
(3) methods for expanding enterprises and creating new economic opportunities by emphasizing economic opportunities in other industries or services not dependent on National Forest System land resources; and
(4) assistance in the evaluation, counseling, and enhancement of vocational skills, training in basic and remedial literacy skills, assistance in job seeking skills, and training in starting or operating a business enterprise.
(b) Existing educational and training programs
Insofar as practicable, the Secretary shall use existing Federal, State, and private education resources in carrying out these programs.
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIII, § 2377, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4048; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(3) [title III, § 345(e)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–204; Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, § 7511(c)(26), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1270; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title VII, § 7511(c)(26), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2031.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Codification
text: Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
heading: Amendments
text: 2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–246, § 7511(c)(26), substituted “National Institute of Food and Agriculture” for “Extension Service” in introductory provisions.
1999—Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 106–113, which directed substitution of “National Forest System land resources” for “national forest resources” in pars. (3) and (4), was executed by making the substitution in pars. (2) and (3) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
text: Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, except as otherwise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.
Amendment by section 7511(c)(26) of Pub. L. 110–246 effective Oct. 1, 2009, see section 7511(c) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 1522 of this title.
7 U.S.C. § 6616 (AGRICULTURE)
§ 6616. Loans to economically disadvantaged rural communities
(a) In general
The Secretary, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary shall establish, may make loans to economically disadvantaged rural communities for the purposes of securing technical assistance and services to aid in the development and implementation of action plans, including planning for—
(1) improving existing facilities in the community that may generate employment or revenue;
(2) expanding existing infrastructure, facilities, and services to capitalize on opportunities to diversify economies now dependent on National Forest System land resources; and
(3) supporting the development of new industries or commercial ventures unrelated to National Forest System land resources.
(b) Interest rates
The interest rates on a loan made pursuant to this section shall be as determined by the Secretary, but not in excess of the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the maturity of such loan, plus not to exceed 1 percent, as determined by the Secretary, and rounded to the nearest one-eighth of 1 percent.
(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIII, § 2378, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4048; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(3) [title III, § 345(f)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1535, 1501A–204.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1999—Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 106–113 substituted “National Forest System land resources” for “national forest resources”.