Agriculture and food defense
Definitions
In this section:
Disease or pest of concern
The term “disease or pest of concern” means a plant or animal disease or pest that—
is—
a transboundary disease; or
an established disease; and
is likely to pose a significant risk to the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector that warrants efforts at prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.
Established disease
The term “established disease” means a plant or animal disease or pest that—
if it becomes established, poses an imminent threat to agriculture in the United States; or
has become established, as defined by the Secretary, within the United States; and
requires management.
High-consequence plant transboundary disease
The term “high-consequence plant transboundary disease” means a transboundary disease that is—
a plant disease; or
a plant pest; and
of high consequence, as determined by the Secretary.
Pest
The term “pest”—
with respect to a plant, has the meaning given the term “plant pest” in section 7702 of this title; and
with respect to an animal, has the meaning given the term in section 8302 of this title.
Plant health management strategy
Transboundary disease
In general
Inclusion
The term “transboundary disease” includes a plant or animal disease or pest described in subparagraph (A) that—
has emerged within the United States; or
has been introduced within the United States.
Veterinary countermeasure
Disease or Pest of Concern Response Planning
In general
The Secretary shall—
establish a list of diseases or pests of concern by—
developing a process to solicit and receive expert opinion and evidence relating to the diseases or pests of concern entered on the list; and
reviewing all available evidence relating to the diseases or pests of concern entered on the list, including classified information; and
periodically update the list established under subparagraph (A).
Response plans
Comprehensive strategic response plan or plans
State or region response plan or plans
The Secretary shall provide information to a State or region to assist in producing a response plan or plans that shall include a concept of operations for a disease or pest of concern or a platform concept of operations for responses to similar diseases or pests of concern that are determined to be a priority to the State or region that shall, as appropriate—
describe the appropriate interactions among, and roles of—
Federal, State, Tribal, and units of local government; and
plant or animal industry partners;
include a decision matrix or dynamic decision modeling tools that, as appropriate, include—
information and timing requirements necessary for the use of veterinary countermeasures;
plant health management strategies;
deployment of other key materials and resources; and
parameters for transitioning from outbreak response to disease management;
identify key response performance metrics to establish—
benchmarking to provide assessments of capabilities, capacity, and readiness to achieve response goals and objectives;
progressive exercise evaluation; and
continuing improvement of a response plan, including by providing for—
ongoing exercises;
improvement planning and the implementation of corrective actions to enhance a response plan over time; and
strategic information to guide investment in any appropriate research to mitigate the risk of a disease or pest of concern; and
be updated periodically, including in response to—
an exercise evaluation; or
new risk information becoming available regarding a disease or pest of concern.
Coordination of plans
National Plant Diagnostic Network
In general
Requirements
The National Plant Diagnostic Network established under paragraph (1) shall—
provide for increased awareness, surveillance, early identification, rapid communication, warning, and diagnosis of a threat to plant health from a disease or pest of concern to protect natural and agricultural plant resources;
coordinate and collaborate with agencies of the Department of Agriculture and State agencies and authorities involved in plant health;
establish diagnostic laboratory standards;
establish regional hubs throughout the United States that provide expertise, leadership, and support to diagnostic labs relating to the agricultural crops and plants in the covered regions of those hubs; and
establish a national repository for records of endemic or emergent diseases and pests of concern.
Head of network
In general
Duties
The head of the National Plant Diagnostic Network shall—
coordinate and collaborate with land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in section 3103 of this title) in carrying out the requirements under paragraph (2), including through cooperative agreements described in paragraph (4);
partner with the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for assistance with plant health regulation and inspection; and
coordinate with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, in carrying out activities relating to the National Plant Diagnostic Network, including the sharing of biosurveillance information.
Collaboration with land-grant colleges and universities
Authorization of appropriations
National Plant Disease Recovery System
Recovery System
Requirements
The National Plant Disease Recovery System established under paragraph (1) shall—
coordinate with disease or pest of concern concept of operations response plans;
make long-range plans for the initiation of future research projects relating to high-consequence plant transboundary diseases;
establish research plans for long-term recovery;
plan for the identification and use of specific genotypes, cultivars, breeding lines, and other disease-resistant materials necessary for crop stabilization or improvement; and
establish a watch list of high-consequence plant transboundary diseases for the purpose of making long-range plans under subparagraph (B).