AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE
AUTHORIZATION:
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, 7 U.S.C. 1621- 1627,
7 U.S.C. 2101-2119; Egg Research and Consumer Information Act, 7 U.S.C.
2701-2718; Export Apple and Pear Act, 7 U.S.C. 581-590; Export Grape and Plum
Act, 7 U.S.C. 591-599; Federal Seed Act, 7 U.S.C. 1551- 1611; National Wool
Act of 1954, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 1787; Plant Variety Protection Act, 7 U.S.C.
2321-2331, 2351-2357, 2371-2372, 2401- 2404, 2421-2427, 2441-2443, 2461-2463,
2481-2486, 2501-2504, 2531-2532, 2541-2545, 2561-2569, 2581-2583; 7 U.S.C.
4301-4319; Cotton Research and Promotion Act, 7 U.S.C. 2101-2118; Dairy and
Tobacco Adjustment Act of 1983, 7 U.S.C. 5111; Agricultural Fair Practices
Act, 7 U.S.C. 2301- 2306; Capper Volstead Act, 7 U.S.C 291-292; Potato
Research and Promotion Act, 7 U.S.C. 2611-2627; Beef Promotion and Research
Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 2901-2911; Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer
Information Act of 1985, 7 U.S.C. 1612-1631; Dairy Research and Promotion Act,
7 U.S.C. 4501-4513, 4532; Watermelon Research and Promotion Act, 7 U.S.C.
4901-4916; Honey Research Promotion and Consumer Information Act, 7 U.S.C.
4601-4612; Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990, 7
U.S.C. 6301-6311; Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of
1990, 7 U.S.C. 6101- 6112; Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990, 7 U.S.C.
6401-6417; Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, 7 U.S.C. 6501-6522; Fresh Cut
Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act of 1993, 7 U.S.C.
6801- 6814; Popcorn Promotion Research, and Consumer Information Act, 7 U.S.C.
7481-7491; National Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information
Act, 7 U.S.C. 7461-7473.
The Federal Seed Program prevents mislabeled seed from
moving in interstate commerce by providing for random sampling of seeds to
insure accurate labeling of seed characteristics. The Plant Variety Protection
Program offers legal protection to developers of new varieties of plants which
reproduce by providing the equivalent of a patent to the plant's developer.
The Research and Promotion Programs provide for the collection of an
assessment for each commodity covered by statutes to enable the commodity
industries to carry out research and promotion activities. It is the
responsibility of the Agricultural Marketing Service to assure responsible use
of these assessments in meeting the research and promotion objective. The
Dairy and Tobacco Adjustment Act authorized the establishment of a National
dairy promotion research and nutrition education program. To eliminate
deceptive, unfair and fraudulent trade practices in the processing and
marketing of food and agricultural products; provide assistance to those
striving to achieve this objective. The Pesticide Data Program works with
participating States to collect and analyze data on pesticide use and residue
levels for selected commodities in the nation's food supply. This program
provides statistically based data to Federal agencies for use in making policy
decisions for regulatory and educational purposes.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Provision of Specialized Services. Place Cursor Here for Definition
Advisory Services and Counseling. Place Cursor Here for Definition
Training. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
USDA grades are used by the owners of agricultural commodities and by dealers
in these commodities to Hatcheries and shell egg handlers, except for
producer-packers with an annual production from 3,000 hens or less packing for
the retail consumer are required to be checked quarterly to determine the
disposition of certain undergrade eggs.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Any owner of or dealer in
agricultural commodities who (a) has a financial interest in the commodity to
be graded and (b) is located within the United States and its Territories. All
hatcheries and shell egg handlers having an annual production from 3,000 or
more hens who pack for the retail consumer and are located within the U.S. or
its Territories.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Buyers and sellers of
agricultural commodities. Shell egg handlers having an annual production from
3,000 or more hens who pack for the retail consumer and are located in the
U.S. or its Territories.
Preapplication Coordination: None. This program is
excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Request for grading of a
commodity must be submitted to local AMS grading office in writing. Eligible
hatcheries apply for registration by contacting: Chief, Poultry Grading
Branch, Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington,
DC 20250.
Award Procedure: Eligible hatcheries and shell
egg handlers must complete registration forms.
Deadlines: None.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not
applicable.
Appeals: In cases in which applicants do not
agree with the grade given, they may appeal for a review of the grade to the
local AMS office.
Renewals: Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: Not applicable.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Not
applicable.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: None.
Audits: In accordance with the provisions of 7
CFR Part 3052, which implement OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24,
1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit
Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of
$300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific
audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than
$300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements
for that year, except as noted in 7 CFR 3052.
Number of bales of cotton classed in (thousands) fiscal year 2001, 15,656;
fiscal year 2002, estimate 18,925; and fiscal year 2003 estimate, 15,589.
Number of tobacco auction markets inspected fiscal year 2001, 89; fiscal year
2002, estimate 89; and fiscal year 2003, estimate 89. Pounds of imported and
domestic tobacco inspected in (millions) fiscal year 2001, 1,242; fiscal year
2002, estimate 568; and fiscal year 2003, estimate 568. Pounds of poultry
products graded (in millions) fiscal year 2001, 14,536; fiscal year 2002,
14,875; and fiscal year 2003, 15,150. Pounds of meat graded or accepted (in
millions) fiscal year 2001, 39,822; fiscal year 2002, estimate 39,500; and
fiscal year 2003, estimate 40,000. Shell eggs grading (mil. dz.) fiscal year
2001, 2,327; fiscal year 2002, estimate 2,376; and fiscal year 2003, estimate
2,425. Processed fruit and vegetable grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 2001,
20,353; fiscal year 2002, estimate 20,000; and fiscal year 2003, estimate
20,000. Fresh fruit and vegetable grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 2001,
76,000; fiscal year 2002, estimate 76,000; and fiscal year 2003, estimate
76,000. Livestock grading (mil. lbs.) fiscal year 2001, 18; fiscal year 2002,
estimate 40; and fiscal year 2003, estimate 40. Dairy products grading (mil.
lbs.) fiscal year 2001, 1,610; fiscal year 2002, estimate 1,670; and fiscal
year 2003, estimate 1,840.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
7 CFR 26-32, 41-70, 160- 171, 205; AH-533, "USDA Standards for Food and
Farm Products;" Marketing Bulletin No. 37, "The Story of
Cotton;" "Annual Report on Tobacco Statistics, AH-566, The
Classification of Cotton;" Misc. Pub. No. 867, "Tobacco in the
U.S.;" quarterly report-- "Tobacco Stocks Reports as of Jan. 1,
April 1, July 1, and Oct. 1;" MS-82, "Cotton Testing Service;"
AMS-180 MB-41, "Market News Service on Cotton; " MB-43, 7 CFR 2851,
2852, 2853, 2855, 2856, 2858, 2870, 28171; AH-341, "USDA Standards for
Food and Farm Products." AH-31, "Poultry Grading Manual."
AH-75, "Egg Grading Manual." Egg and Egg Products Inspection
Regulations (7 CFR Part 2859); POB-FL-33, Tobacco Market Review for
Flue-cured; POB-LA-34, Tobacco Market Review for Burley; POB-LA-33, Tobacco
Market Review for Fire and Dark Air.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Local Agricultural
Marketing Service inspection, grading, and classing offices are listed in
Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office: Associate Administrator,
Agricultural Marketing Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC
20250. Telephone: (202) 720-4276. Contact: Dr. Ken Clayton.
