110th Congress Oversight Plan

TO: The Honorable Henry A. Waxman, Chairman
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
The Honorable Juanita Millender-McDonald, Chairwoman
Committee on House Administration
FROM: The Honorable Collin C. Peterson, Chairman
House Committee on Agriculture
DATE: February 15, 2007
SUBJECT: Oversight Plan for the House Committee on
Agriculture for the 110th Congress

Pursuant to Rule X, clause 2(d)(1) of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 110th Congress, I submit the following plan to fulfill the General Oversight Responsibilities reporting requirements. This outline was prepared in consultation with the Ranking Member, was presented to the full Committee for its consideration, and is now offered for your consideration relative to your responsibilities under the Rules.

The following agenda constitutes the oversight plan of the Committee on Agriculture for the 110th Congress. It includes areas in which the Committee and its subcommittees expect to conduct oversight or investigation of additional matters or programs as they arise. The Committee will consult, as appropriate, with other committees of the House that may share subject matter interest. If you have any questions regarding this outline, do not hesitate to contact me.

OVERSIGHT PLAN
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
110TH CONGRESS

The Committee expects to exercise appropriate oversight activity with regard to the following issues:

2002 FARM BILL AND CURRENT AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS:

Review the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) implementation of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (FSRIA) and 2007 farm bill proposals;
Review the current state of health of the U.S. farm economy;
Review the need for a permanent agricultural disaster assistance program;
Review USDA’s implementation of the Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004;
Review USDA’s implementation of previous ad-hoc agricultural disaster assistance legislation;
Review USDA’s implementation of Improper Payments Information Act of 2002;
Review the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) management controls for Finality Rule and equitable relief decisions;
Review the impact of weather conditions on 2005 through 2007 crop production;
Review USDA’s activities regarding implementation of the U.S. Warehouse Act;
Review of corn market situation, including impact of crop reports and projections;
Release of the three-entity and Section 1614 payment databases;
Review of the honey bee industry;
Review differences and similarities between proposed farm safety nets based on income and current price based safety net;
Review USDA’s implementation of the U.S. Grain Standards Act; and
Review the increase in agribusiness consolidation.

ENERGY

Review USDA effort to promote the utilization of on-farm generated electricity;
Review of the activities funded by the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 (BRDA) and input from the external BRDA Advisory Board;
Review availability of agriculture and forestry feedstocks for renewable energy production;
Review current status of research on energy crops and feedstocks;
Review the availability of biofuel pumps and approved fuels;
Review implementation of the Section 9006 Program, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Loan and Grant Program, including the interaction of the program with other incentives and tax provisions;
Review current provisions in existing law that support agriculture-based energy production and use;
Review implementation of the Biobased Products Program; and
Review of the roles of USDA and its agencies in promoting the reliance on renewable energy sources.

CONSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

Review the impact of regulatory activities carried out pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), or any proposed legislative changes to such Act, on agricultural producers;
Conduct oversight of regulatory initiatives undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) concerning Endangered Species Act consultations regarding pesticide products regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA);
Review the impact of the Administration’s regulatory activity relative to methyl bromide on production of agriculture in the U.S.;
Review of the resource needs of the EPA as they pertain to the collection of pesticide user fees;
Review of the continuing international negotiations concerning implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, and the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade;
Review the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture;
Review budget and program activities of the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), including staffing shortages;
Review NRCS implementation of the technical service provider assistance provisions of FSRIA;
Review implementation of all of USDA’s conservation programs;
Review of EPA’s rule on permit trading under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and its potential benefits to U.S. agriculture;
Review of potential impacts of EPA’s Clean Air Act (CAA) regulatory program on U.S. agriculture;
Review potential consequences for production agriculture in the U.S. of the mandates contained in the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change;
Review EPA’s implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), FIFRA and Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA);
Review the impact of litigation concerning FIFRA, ESA, CAA, CWA, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) and its impact on farm operations;
Review the EPA’s regulatory actions in regard to pesticide evaluations;
Review of EPA’s regulation of Animal Feeding Operations;
Review of the non-emergency haying and grazing provisions of the Conservation Reserve Program;
Review of USDA’s authority to allow early withdrawal of acreage from CRP;
Review of the operation of the Resource, Conservation and Development Program, including the study completed under Section 1534 of the FSA as required by FSRIA;
Review of easement programs and Department of Transportation and Department of Justice regulations; and
Review of Total Maximum Daily Load strategies and impacts on production agriculture.

FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT:

Review the role of federal crop insurance premium subsidies on crop markets;
Review USDA and the Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) administration and oversight of the Federal Crop Insurance Program;
Availability and effectiveness of crop insurance as risk management tool;
RMA implementation of Premium Reduction Plans;
USDA’s activities designed to find and reduce crop insurance program waste, fraud, and abuse;
RMA’s combination of revenue protection crop insurance programs;
Review the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC);
Growing consolidation and internationalization of futures exchange trading;
Exchange and Over-the-Counter (OTC) trading of energy-based futures products; and
Enforcement and oversight capabilities of the CFTC both domestically and internationally.

AGRICULTURE TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL FOOD AID:

Review ongoing multilateral, regional, and bilateral trade negotiations (including WTO accession agreements) to assess their potential impact on U.S. agriculture;
Review implementation of existing trade agreements and commitments and proposed new trade agreements and commitments to determine:

whether they are consistent with current U.S. law;
whether they will promote economic development in rural areas of the U.S.;
their impact or potential impact on current production of import sensitive agricultural commodities, and on exports of U.S. agricultural products; and
their impact or potential impact on the overall competitiveness of the U.S. agricultural sector, including the production, processing and distribution of agricultural products.

Monitor existing trade agreements to ensure trading partners are meeting obligations and enforcing trade commitments;
Review farm export programs to determine how well they are promoting the interests of U.S. agriculture and examine proposals to improve, modify or expand such programs;
Assess U.S. food aid programs to determine their impact or potential impact on the reduction of world hunger. In particular, the Committee will examine the potential impact of multilateral trade negotiations on the effectiveness of U.S. food aid programs; and
Address sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) barriers and other technical barriers to U.S. agricultural exports and examine USDA efforts to eliminate such barriers.

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND PROMOTION:

Review implementation of biosecurity protocols at USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) laboratories;
Assess USDA’s implementation of research, education and extension programs authorized in FSRIA;
Review the administration of the ARS research stations and worksites;
Review USDA’s continuing ability to conduct foreign animal disease research, training and diagnostic programs at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center following the transfer of the center to the Department of Homeland Security;
Review USDA’s response and tracking of the presence of soybean rust in the U.S.;
Assess federal efforts to facilitate research and development of aquacultural enterprises, specifically focusing on the activities of the Joint Committee on Aquaculture;
Review implementation of USDA’s regulation on organic standards;
Review coordination between ARS, Economic Research Service, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) and action agencies in USDA such as NRCS and FSA in order to prevent duplicative research;
Review operation of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board;
Review USDA’s efforts to expand research and development of pathogen reduction technologies;
Evaluate the current mix of research funding mechanisms to ensure maximum benefits from these investments to producers, processors and consumers;
Review administration of USDA's agricultural marketing and promotion programs;
Review of coordination between USDA and DOE on energy research programs;
Review of congressional appropriation process and implications on research funding under ARS, ERS, NASS and CSREES;
Review of ARS, ERS, NASS and CSREES national program priorities;
Oversight of research grant process to coordinate and prevent overlapping research; and
Review the potential for research and technology transfer to address the needs of both the biofuels and livestock industries.

BIOTECHNOLOGY:

Review current regulations and research regarding animal and plant biotechnology;
Review the FDA’s finding regarding the safety of cloned animal products;
Assess USDA efforts to develop and promote benefits of biotechnology for increasing agricultural productivity and combating hunger globally; and
USDA’s investigation and handling of the discovery of regulated biotech rice.

U.S. FOREST SERVICE ADMINISTRATION:

Assess effectiveness of Forest Service’s programs, including forest products and grazing management;
Review Forest Service budget, with special attention to land acquisition and easement programs;
Continue oversight of Healthy Forests Restoration Act;
Continue oversight of Forest Service fire management program to ensure cost efficiencies;
Review the impact of fire expenses on other USFS program delivery;
Monitor Administration efforts to reform the National Forest Planning process;
Assess the use of research funds to inform on long-term, sustainable forest practices; and
Conduct oversight on the National Grasslands.

DAIRY:

Review options to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of dairy programs;
Review efficiency of federal market order system;
Review implementation of the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) Program; and
Review implementation of the Milk Regulatory Equity Act.

OUTREACH AND CIVIL RIGHTS

Review of the implementation of the Pigford v. Glickman settlement;
Review of small and minority farmer/rancher outreach in USDA, including implementation of the Section 2501 Program;
Review of the operations of the office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights;
Review of the delivery of USDA services and outreach efforts on Indian reservations and tribal lands;
Review current status of Agricultural Census and efforts to reach undercounted farmers and ranchers; and
Review participation of minority farmers in FSA County/Local Committees as well as outreach to increase participation in County Committee elections.

USDA GENERAL ADMINISTRATION:

Review confidentiality of information provided to USDA by agricultural producers; and
Review USDA’s restructuring of FSA county offices.

FARM CREDIT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, AND THE RURAL ECONOMY:

Review Farm Credit Administration’s (FCA) regulatory program and activities regarding the Farm Credit System (FCS) to assure the FCS’ safety and soundness;
Review of Farmer Mac activities and programs;
Review of Beginning Farmer education efforts in FSA loan programs and graduation efforts;
Review of FSA credit programs and participation;
Implementation of rural development policies and authorities contained in FSRIA ’02 and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act;
- Review the status of the Rural Telephone Bank;
- Oversight of the USDA’s Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program;
- Oversight of the implementation of the USDA’s Telecommunications Programs;
Review of rural development staffing shortages and office closings;
Review of agriculture lending practices;
Review of definition of “rural” under rural development programs; and
Review of rural development loan programs and default rates.

USDA FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS:

Review food and nutrition programs including the food stamp program, fruit and vegetable initiatives, The Emergency Food Assistance Program and other commodity distribution programs;
Assess the level of success and participation by states under provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill that provide greater flexibility and state options;
Review the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) with particular attention to the quality of food packages, education and outreach, and any limitations to the contents due to the appropriated set-aside;
Review buying patterns of food stamp recipients and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) efforts to promote healthy eating habits;
Review efforts by state food stamp administrators to modernize and streamline their programs;
Assess the progress of the USDA School Snack Program; and
Review the Community Food Project Program to ensure cooperative grants are working.

FOOD SAFETY:

Review USDA’s administration of meat and poultry inspection laws and the FDA’s food inspection activities to ensure the development of scientifically sound systems for food safety assurance;
Review USDA’s efforts to educate consumers regarding safe food handling practices and streamline the assessment and approval of food safety technologies;
Review implementation of new protocols for meat, poultry, eggs, or seafood safety inspection, including the implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) pathogen reduction regulation; and
Review the FDA’s proposed rule regarding substances prohibited from use in food and animal feed.

PLANT AND ANI MAL HEALTH:

Review enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act;
Assess federal efforts to reduce threats to human, animal, and plant health due to predatory and invasive species;
Conduct oversight of USDA’s expanded Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance program;
Assess the national animal identification program system;
Review federal BSE safeguards; and

LIVESTOCK MARKETING:

Assess the effectiveness of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) in determining market manipulation in the livestock industry;
Review structural changes in agribusiness and the potential cost and benefits for agricultural producers; and
Review the USDA’s mandatory livestock price reporting system.

HOMELAND AND AGRICULTURAL SECURITY:

Oversight of USDA’s preparedness against terrorist threats to agriculture production; and
Review of agriculture inspection activities under the Department of Homeland Security.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Review adequacy of agricultural labor available under the agricultural guest worker program, H2A;
Review implementation of the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Act;
Review of the impact of transportation infrastructure issues on agriculture and forestry;
Assess USDA’s implementation of voluntary Country Of Origin Labeling (COOL) in preparation for mandatory COOL; and
Assess operation of the Fruit and Vegetable planting prohibition.

CONSULTATION WITH OTHER COMMITTEES TO REDUCE DUPLICATION:

With Resources Committee on forestry issues and other public land issues;
With Science Committee on Research;
With Ways and Means and Education and the Workforce on nutrition programs;
With Ways and Means on trade issues;
With Homeland Security on importation of animal and plant material;
With Judiciary on immigrant agricultural labor;
With Energy and Commerce on food safety and biomass energy programs both existing and new; and
With any other committee as appropriate.