Collapse to view only § 1622. Duties of Secretary relating to agricultural products
- § 1621. Congressional declaration of purpose; use of existing facilities; cooperation with States
- § 1622. Duties of Secretary relating to agricultural products
- § 1622a. Authority to assist farmers and elevator operators
- § 1622b. Specialty crops market news allocation
- § 1622c. Repealed.
- § 1623. Authorization of appropriations; allotments to States
- § 1623a. Omitted
- § 1624. Cooperation with Government and State agencies, private research organizations, etc.; rules and regulations
- § 1625. Transfer and consolidation of functions, powers, bureaus, etc.
- § 1626. Definitions
- § 1627. Appointment of personnel; compensation; employment of specialists
- § 1627a. Sheep production and marketing grant program
- § 1627b. National Sheep Industry Improvement Center
- § 1627c. Local agriculture market program
- § 1628. Repealed.
- § 1629. Establishment of committees to assist in research and service programs
- § 1630. Omitted
- § 1631. Protection for purchasers of farm products
- § 1632. Repealed.
- § 1632a. Agricultural marketing resource center pilot project
- § 1632b. Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration Program
- § 1632c. Acer access and development program
- § 1632d. Dairy business innovation initiatives
- § 1632e. Cattle Contracts Library
- § 1633. Cooperation with State agencies in administration and enforcement of laws relating to marketing of agricultural products and control or eradication of plant and animal diseases and pests; coordination of administration of Federal and State laws
The Congress declares that a sound, efficient, and privately operated system for distributing and marketing agricultural products is essential to a prosperous agriculture and is indispensable to the maintenance of full employment and to the welfare, prosperity, and health of the Nation. It is further declared to be the policy of Congress to promote through research, study, experimentation, and through cooperation among Federal and State agencies, farm organizations, and private industry a scientific approach to the problems of marketing, transportation, and distribution of agricultural products similar to the scientific methods which have been utilized so successfully during the past eighty-four years in connection with the production of agricultural products so that such products capable of being produced in abundance may be marketed in an orderly manner and efficiently distributed. In order to attain these objectives, it is the intent of Congress to provide for (1) continuous research to improve the marketing, handling, storage, processing, transportation, and distribution of agricultural products; (2) cooperation among Federal and State agencies, producers, industry organizations, and others in the development and effectuation of research and marketing programs to improve the distribution processes; (3) an integrated administration of all laws enacted by Congress to aid the distribution of agricultural products through research, market aids and services, and regulatory activities, to the end that marketing methods and facilities may be improved, that distribution costs may be reduced and the price spread between the producer and consumer may be narrowed, that dietary and nutritional standards may be improved, that new and wider markets for American agricultural products may be developed, both in the United States and in other countries, with a view to making it possible for the full production of American farms to be disposed of usefully, economically, profitably, and in an orderly manner. In effectuating the purposes of this chapter, maximum use shall be made of existing research facilities owned or controlled by the Federal Government or by State agricultural experiment stations and of the facilities of the Federal and State extension services. To the maximum extent practicable marketing research work done under this chapter in cooperation with the States shall be done in cooperation with the State agricultural experiment stations; marketing educational and demonstrational work done under this chapter in cooperation with the States shall be done in cooperation with the State agricultural extension service; market information, inspection, regulatory work and other marketing service done under this chapter in cooperation with the State agencies shall be done in cooperation with the State departments of agriculture, and State bureaus and departments of markets.
To conduct, assist, and foster research, investigation, and experimentation to determine the best methods of processing, preparation for market, packaging, handling, transporting, storing, distributing, and marketing agricultural products: Provided, That the results of such research shall be made available to the public for the purpose of expanding the use of American agricultural products in such manner as the Secretary of Agriculture may determine.
To determine costs of marketing agricultural products in their various forms and through the various channels and to foster and assist in the development and establishment of more efficient marketing methods (including analyses of methods and proposed methods), practices, and facilities, for the purpose of bringing about more efficient and orderly marketing, and reducing the price spread between the producer and the consumer.
To develop and improve standards of quality, condition, quantity, grade, and packaging, and recommend and demonstrate such standards in order to encourage uniformity and consistency in commercial practices. Within thirty days after September 29, 1977, the Secretary shall by regulation adopt a standard of quality for ice cream which shall provide that ice cream shall contain at least 1.6 pounds of total solids to the gallon, weigh not less than 4.5 pounds to the gallon and contain not less than 20 percent total milk solids, constituted of not less than 10 percent milkfat. In no case shall the span of milk solids not fat be less than 6 percent. Whey shall not, by weight, be more than 25 percent of the milk solids not fat. Only those products which meet the standard issued by the Secretary may bear a symbol thereon indicating that they meet the Department of Agriculture standard for “ice cream”.
To conduct, assist, foster, and direct studies and informational programs designed to eliminate artificial barriers to the free movement of agricultural products.
To foster and assist in the development of new or expanded markets (domestic and foreign) and new and expanded uses and in the moving of larger quantities of agricultural products through the private marketing system to consumers in the United States and abroad.
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary may assess and collect reasonable fees and late payment penalties to mediate and arbitrate disputes arising between parties in connection with transactions involving agricultural products moving in foreign commerce under the jurisdiction of a multinational entity.
Fees and penalties collected under subparagraph (A) shall be deposited into the account that incurred the cost of providing the mediation or arbitration service.
Fees and penalties collected under subparagraph (A) shall be available to the Secretary without further Act of appropriation and shall remain available until expended to pay the expenses of the Secretary for providing mediation and arbitration services under this paragraph.
No person shall be required by the Secretary to use the mediation and arbitration services provided under this paragraph.
To conduct and cooperate in consumer education for the more effective utilization and greater consumption of agricultural products: Provided, That no money appropriated under the authority of this Act shall be used to pay for newspaper or periodical advertising space or radio time in carrying out the purposes of this section and subsection (e).
To collect and disseminate marketing information, including adequate outlook information on a market-area basis, for the purpose of anticipating and meeting consumer requirements, aiding in the maintenance of farm income, and bringing about a balance between production and utilization of agricultural products.
To determine the needs and develop or assist in the development of plans for efficient facilities and methods of operating such facilities for the proper assembly, processing, transportation, storage, distribution, and handling of agricultural products.
To assist in improving transportation services and facilities and in obtaining equitable and reasonable transportation rates and services and adequate transportation facilities for agricultural products and farm supplies by making complaint or petition to the Surface Transportation Board, the Federal Maritime Commission, or other Federal or State transportation regulatory body, or the Secretary of Transportation, with respect to rates, charges, tariffs, practices, and services, or by working directly with individual carriers or groups of carriers.
To collect, tabulate, and disseminate statistics on marketing agricultural products, including, but not restricted to statistics on market supplies, storage stocks, quantity, quality, and condition of such products in various positions in the marketing channel, utilization of such products, and shipments and unloads thereof.
To develop and promulgate, for the use and at the request of any Federal agency or State, procurement standards and specifications for agricultural products, and submit such standards and specifications to such agency or State for use or adoption for procurement purposes.
To conduct, assist, encourage, and promote research, investigation, and experimentation to determine the most efficient and practical means, methods, and processes for the handling, storing, preserving, protecting, processing, and distributing of agricultural commodities to the end that such commodities may be marketed in an orderly manner and to the best interest of the producers thereof.
To conduct such other research and services and to perform such other activities as will facilitate the marketing, distribution, processing, and utilization of agricultural products through commercial channels.
The Secretary may provide technical assistance (including information on such financial assistance as may be available) to grain producers and elevator operators to assist such producers and operators in installing or improving grain cleaning, drying or storage equipment.
In addition to any other funds made available through annual appropriations for market news services, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $9,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2023, to remain available until expended.
In order to facilitate administration and to increase the effectiveness of the marketing research, service, and regulatory work of the Department of Agriculture to the fullest extent practicable, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, to transfer, group, coordinate, and consolidate the functions, powers, duties, and authorities of each and every agency, division, bureau, service, section, or other administrative unit in the Department of Agriculture primarily concerned with research, service, or regulatory activities in connection with the marketing, transportation, storage, processing, distribution of, or service or regulatory activities in connection with, the utilization of, agricultural products, into a single administrative agency. In making such changes as may be necessary to carry out effectively the purposes of this chapter, the records, property, personnel, and funds of such agencies, divisions, bureaus, services, sections, or other administrative units in the Department of Agriculture affected are authorized to be transferred to and used by such administrative agency to which the transfer may be made, but such unexpended balances of appropriations so transferred shall be used only for the purposes for which such appropriations were made.
When used in this chapter, the term “agricultural products” includes agricultural, horticultural, viticultural, and dairy products, livestock and poultry, bees, forest products, fish and shellfish, and any products thereof, including processed and manufactured products, and any and all products raised or produced on farms and any processed or manufactured product thereof, and the term “State” when used in this chapter 1
The Secretary of Agriculture shall have the power to appoint, remove, and fix, in accordance with existing law, the compensation of such officers and employees, and to make such expenditures as he deems necessary, including expenditures for rent outside the District of Columbia, travel, supplies, books, equipment, and such other expenditures as may be necessary to the administration of this chapter: Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture may appoint any technically qualified person, firm, or organization by contract or otherwise on a temporary basis and for a term not to exceed six months in any fiscal year to perform research, inspection, classification, technical, or other special services, without regard to the civil-service laws.
The Secretary shall make grants under this section to at least one national entity, the mission of which is consistent with the purpose of the grant program.
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, and $400,000 for fiscal year 2024, to remain available until expended.
The term “Board” means the Board of Directors established under subsection (f).
The term “Center” means the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center established under subsection (b).
The term “Fund” means the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Revolving Fund established under subsection (e).
The term “intermediary” means a financial institution receiving Center funds for establishing a revolving fund and relending to an eligible entity.
The Secretary shall establish a National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.
The Center shall submit to the Secretary an annual strategic plan for the delivery of financial assistance provided by the Center.
There is established in the Treasury the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center Revolving Fund. The Fund shall be available to the Center, without fiscal year limitation, to carry out the authorized programs and activities of the Center under this section.
The Center may use amounts in the Fund to make direct loans, loan guarantees, cooperative agreements, equity interests, investments, repayable grants, and grants to eligible entities, either directly or through an intermediary, in accordance with a strategic plan submitted under subsection (d).
The Center shall manage the Fund in a manner that ensures that sufficient amounts are available in the Fund to carry out subsection (c). The Fund is intended to furnish the initial capital for a revolving fund that will eventually be privatized for the purposes of assisting the United States sheep and goat industries.
The Center shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use the Fund to serve broad geographic areas and regions of diverse production.
None of the amounts in the Fund may be used to influence legislation.
To be eligible to receive amounts from the Fund, an entity must agree to account for the amounts using generally accepted accounting principles.
A loan from the Fund may be made at an interest rate that is below the market rate or may be interest free.
The Center may not make a loan from the Fund unless the recipient establishes an assured source of repayment.
All payments of principal and interest on a loan made from the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund.
The Center shall use the Fund only to supplement and not to supplant Federal, State, and private funds expended for rural development.
The management of the Center shall be vested in a Board of Directors.
The Secretary shall appoint the voting members of the Board from nominations submitted by organizations described in subparagraph (B).
Subject to subparagraph (B), the term of office of a voting member of the Board shall be 3 years.
The initial voting members of the Board (other than the chairperson of the initially established Board) shall serve for staggered terms of 1, 2, and 3 years, as determined by the Secretary.
A voting member may be reappointed for not more than one additional term.
A vacancy on the Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original Board.
A voting member appointed to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term may be reappointed for one full term.
The Board shall select a chairperson from among the voting members of the Board.
The term of office of the chairperson shall be 2 years.
The Board shall meet not less than once each fiscal year at the call of the chairperson or at the request of the executive director appointed under subsection (g)(1).
The location of a meeting of the Board shall be established by the Board.
A quorum of the Board shall consist of a majority of the voting members.
A decision of the Board shall be made by a majority of the voting members of the Board.
Any action by a member of the Board that violates subparagraph (A) shall be cause for removal from the Board.
An action by a member of the Board that violates subparagraph (A) shall not impair or otherwise affect the validity of any otherwise lawful action by the Board.
If a member of the Board makes a full disclosure of an interest and, prior to any participation by the member, the Board determines, by majority vote, that the interest is too remote or too inconsequential to affect the integrity of any participation by the member, the member may participate in the matter relating to the interest, except as provided in subparagraph (E)(iii).
A member that discloses an interest under clause (i) shall not vote on a determination of whether the member may participate in the matter relating to the interest.
The Secretary may vacate and remand to the Board for reconsideration any decision made pursuant to subsection (e)(3)(H) if the Secretary determines that there has been a violation of this paragraph or any conflict of interest provision of the bylaws of the Board with respect to the decision.
In the case of any violation and remand of a funding decision to the Board under clause (i), the Secretary shall inform the Board of the reasons for the remand.
If a decision with respect to a matter is remanded to the Board by reason of a conflict of interest faced by a Board member, the member may not participate in any subsequent decision with respect to the matter.
A member of the Board shall not receive any compensation by reason of service on the Board.
A member of the Board shall be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred by the member in the performance of a duty of the member.
The Board shall adopt, and may from time to time amend, any bylaw that is necessary for the proper management and functioning of the Center.
Not later than 1 year after April 4, 1996, the Board shall hold public hearings on policy objectives of the program established under this section.
The Board shall provide a system of organization to fix responsibility and promote efficiency in carrying out the functions of the Board.
The Board may, with the consent of the Secretary, utilize the facilities of and the services of employees of the Department of Agriculture, without cost to the Center.
The Board shall appoint an executive director to be the chief executive officer of the Center.
The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
Compensation for the executive director shall be established by the Board.
The Board may select and appoint officers, attorneys, employees, and agents who shall be vested with such powers and duties as the Board may determine.
The Board may, by resolution, delegate to the chairperson, the executive director, or any other officer or employee any function, power, or duty of the Board other than voting on a grant, loan, contract, agreement, budget, or annual strategic plan.
The Secretary shall review and monitor compliance by the Board and the Center with this section.
The Secretary shall rescind sanctions imposed under paragraph (2) on a finding by the Secretary that there is no longer any failure by the Board or the Center to comply with this section or that the noncompliance will be promptly corrected.
The term “beginning farmer or rancher” has the meaning given the term in section 1991(a) of this title.
The term “direct producer-to-consumer marketing” has the meaning given the term “direct marketing from farmers to consumers” in section 3002 of this title.
The term “family farm” has the meaning given the term in section 1632a(a) of this title.
The term “Program” means the Local Agriculture Market Program established under subsection (b).
The term “regional food chain coordination” means coordination and collaboration along the supply chain to increase connections between producers and markets.
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
The term “socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” has the meaning given the term in section 2003(e) of this title.
The term “veteran farmer or rancher” has the meaning given the term in section 2279(a) of this title.
Under the Program, the Secretary may, using funds made available under subsection (i), provide grants for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, in accordance with the purposes of the Program described in subsection (b), for the conduct of activities described in paragraph (2).
The Secretary shall establish criteria and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and funding of proposed projects under paragraph (1) as the Secretary determines are appropriate.
Except as provided in clause (ii), an application submitted for a grant under paragraph (1) shall include a description of the direct or indirect producer or food business benefits intended by the applicant to result from the proposed project within a reasonable period of time after the receipt of the grant.
Clause (i) shall not apply to a planning or feasibility project.
Unless otherwise determined by the Secretary, the amount of a grant under this subsection shall be not more than $500,000.
The Secretary shall carry out this subsection through the Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, in coordination with the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
Except as provided in clause (ii), an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) may not use a grant for the purchase or construction of a building, general purpose equipment, or structure.
An eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) may use not more than $6,500 of the amount of a grant for an eligible activity described in paragraph (2)(J) to purchase or upgrade equipment to improve food safety.
An eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) receiving a grant shall contribute an amount of non-Federal funds that is at least equal to the amount of Federal funds received.
The Secretary shall carry out this subsection through the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, in coordination with the Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
Except as provided in clause (ii), an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) may not use a grant for the purchase or construction of a building, general purpose equipment, or structure.
An eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) may use not more than $6,500 of the amount of a grant for an eligible activity described in paragraph (2)(J) to purchase or upgrade equipment to improve food safety.
An eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) receiving a grant shall provide matching funds in the form of cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount that is equal to 25 percent of the total amount of the Federal portion of the grant.
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, in accordance with the purposes of the Program described in subsection (b), shall, using funds made available under subsection (i), provide grants for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to support partnerships to plan and develop a local or regional food system.
To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure geographical diversity in selecting partnerships to receive grants under subparagraph (A).
A partnership receiving a grant under paragraph (2) shall provide funding in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the total amount of the Federal portion of the grant.
To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (2), a partnership shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary considers necessary to evaluate and select applications.
Except as provided in clause (ii), an application submitted under subparagraph (A) shall include a description of the direct or indirect producer or food business benefits intended by the eligible entity to result from the proposed project within a reasonable period of time after the receipt of a grant.
Clause (i) shall not apply to a planning or feasibility project.
On request of an eligible entity, an eligible partner, or a partnership, the Secretary may provide technical assistance in carrying out a partnership agreement.
In carrying out the Program, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure coordination among Federal agencies.
Not later than 4 years after December 20, 2018, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1), including a thorough analysis of the outcomes of the evaluation.
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter, to remain available until expended.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter, to remain available until expended.
Subject to clause (ii), of the funds made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 35 percent shall be used for grants under subsection (d)(5).
The total amount of grants under subsection (d)(5) provided to majority-controlled producer-based business ventures for a fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the amount allocated under clause (i).
(II) Beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchersOf the funds made available for grants under subsection (d)(5), 10 percent shall be reserved for grants provided to beginning, veteran, and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
(III) Mid-tier value chainsOf the funds made available for grants under subsection (d)(5), 10 percent shall be reserved for grants to develop mid-tier value chains.
(IV) Food safety assistanceOf the funds made available for grants under subsection (d)(5), not more than 25 percent shall be reserved for grants for eligible activities described in subsection (d)(2)(J).
Of the funds made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 47 percent shall be used for grants under subsection (d)(6).
Of the funds made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 10 percent shall be used to provide grants to support partnerships under subsection (e).
Not greater than 8 percent of amounts made available to provide grants under subsections (d) and (e) for a fiscal year may be used for administrative expenses.
In the furtherance of the research and service work authorized by this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture may, in addition to the national advisory committee, establish appropriate committees, including representatives of producers, industry, government and science, to assist in effectuating specific research and service programs.
The purpose of this section is to remove such burden on and obstruction to interstate commerce in farm products.
Except as provided in subsection (e) and notwithstanding any other provision of Federal, State, or local law, a buyer who in the ordinary course of business buys a farm product from a seller engaged in farming operations shall take free of a security interest created by the seller, even though the security interest is perfected; and the buyer knows of the existence of such interest.
What constitutes receipt, as used in this section, shall be determined by the law of the State in which the buyer resides.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall prescribe regulations not later than 90 days after December 23, 1985, to aid States in the implementation and management of a central filing system.
This section shall become effective 12 months after December 23, 1985.
The term “Program” means the Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration Program established under subsection (c).
The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
Subject to subsection (g), under the Program, the Secretary shall make, on a competitive basis, annual grants to eligible entities.
In the first fiscal year of the Program, the Secretary shall make grants to not more than 5 eligible entities.
Subject to subparagraph (B), in the first 3 fiscal years of the Program, the Secretary shall not make a grant under the Program to more than 1 entity in any 1 State.
Nothing in subparagraph (A) precludes a recipient of a grant under the Program from collaborating with any other institution with respect to activities conducted using the grant.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to preempt a State or tribal government law, including a State or tribal government liability law.
In this section, the term “maple-sugaring” means the collection of sap from any species of tree in the genus Acer for the purpose of boiling to produce food.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.
The term “dairy business” means a business that develops, produces, markets, or distributes dairy products.
The term “initiative” means a dairy product and business innovation initiative established under subsection (b).
A dairy promotion program shall not be eligible to host an initiative under this section.
A partner under paragraph (1) shall be an organization or entity with expertise or experience in dairy, including the marketing, research, education, or promotion of dairy.
An initiative may provide a grant on a noncompetitive basis to an entity that receives assistance under paragraph (1) to advance the business activities recommended as a result of that assistance.
Grants provided under this paragraph shall not exceed $500,000, unless a greater amount is approved by the Secretary.
An entity that hosts an initiative shall consult with the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, the Secretary, and the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service in carrying out the initiative.
The Secretary shall establish guidelines and procedures to prevent any conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest by an initiative (including a partner of the initiative) during the allocation of direct assistance under paragraph (1) or grant funding under paragraph (3).
The Secretary may suspend or terminate an initiative if the initiative (including a partner of the initiative) is found to be in violation of the guidelines and procedures established under subparagraph (A).
Not less than 50 percent of the funds made available under subsection (i) shall be allocated to grants under subsection (f)(3).
Not later than January 31, 2022, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the outcomes of the program under this section and any related activities and opportunities to further increase dairy innovation.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each fiscal year.
There is hereby appropriated $1,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023, for a Cattle Contracts Library pilot program that the Agricultural Marketing Service shall develop and maintain within the Livestock, Poultry, and Grain Market News Division. This program shall be similar, as determined by the Secretary, to the swine contract library the U.S. Department of Agriculture currently maintains pursuant to section 198a of this title. The promulgation of the regulations and administration of this section shall be made without regard to: (1) the notice and comment provisions of section 553 of title 5; and (2) chapter 35 of title 44 (commonly known as the “Paperwork Reduction Act”).
In order to avoid duplication of functions, facilities, and personnel, and to attain closer coordination and greater effectiveness and economy in administration of Federal and State laws and regulations relating to the marketing of agricultural products and to the control or eradication of plant and animal diseases and pests, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, in the administration and enforcement of such Federal laws within his area of responsibility, whenever he deems it feasible and in the public interest, to enter into cooperative arrangements with State departments of agriculture and other State agencies charged with the administration and enforcement of such State laws and regulations and to provide that any such State agency which has adequate facilities, personnel, and procedures, as determined by the Secretary, may assist the Secretary in the administration and enforcement of such Federal laws and regulations to the extent and in the manner he deems appropriate in the public interest.
Further, the Secretary is authorized to coordinate the administration of such Federal laws and regulations with such State laws and regulations wherever feasible. However, nothing herein shall affect the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture under any Federal law, or any authority to cooperate with State agencies or other agencies or persons under existing provisions of law, or affect any restrictions of law upon such cooperation.