[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 135 (Friday, July 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16757]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 15, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
7 CFR Part 2

 

Revision of Delegations of Authority

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document amends the delegations of authority from the 
Secretary of Agriculture and General Officers of the Department to 
delegate to the Assistant Secretary for Science and Education and to 
the Administrator, Agricultural Research Service, the authority to 
administer a national food and human nutrition research program under 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act 
of 1977, as amended, to conduct, in cooperation with the Department of 
Health and Human Services, the National Nutrition Monitoring and 
Related Research Program as authorized by the National Nutrition 
Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990, and to conduct a program 
of nutrition education research.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 15, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Betty Ollila, Office of the General Counsel, United States Department 
of Agriculture, Room 2332, South Building, 14th Street and Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC (202) 720-5824.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Law No. 103-211 requires that funds 
appropriated by Public Law No. 103-111 for the functions of the Human 
Nutrition Information Service be available only to the Agricultural 
Research Service. These amendments to the delegations of authority are 
necessary in order for the Agricultural Research Service to carry out 
the functions of the Human Nutrition Information Service. This rule 
relates to internal agency management. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553, it is exempt from the notice and comment procedures of the 
Administrative Procedure Act, and this rule may be effective less than 
30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
    Further, since this rule relates to internal agency management, it 
is exempt from the provisions of Executive Order Nos. 12778 and 12866. 
This action is not a rule as defined by Public Law 96-354, the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and thus is exempt 
from its provisions. This rule is also exempt from the requirements of 
the National Environmental Policy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.), and requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 
Chapter 35).

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 2

    Authority delegations (Government agencies).

    Accordingly, Part 2, Subtitle A, Title 7, Code of Federal 
Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 2--DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE 
AND GENERAL OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT

    1. The authority citation for Part 2 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301 and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953.

Subpart C--Delegations of Authority to the Deputy Secretary, the 
Under Secretary for International Affairs and Commodity Programs, 
the Under Secretary for Small Community and Rural Development, and 
Assistant Secretaries

    2. Section 2.15 is amended by revising the section heading and by 
removing and reserving paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec. 2.15  Assistant Secretary for Food and Consumer Services.

* * * * *
    3. Section 2.30 is amended by adding a new paragraph (h) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 2.30  Assistant Secretary for Science and Education.

* * * * *
    (h) Related to national food and human nutrition research and 
information. (1) Administer a national food and human nutrition 
research program under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended. As used herein the term 
``research'' includes:
    (i) Research on the nutrient composition of foods and the effects 
of agricultural practices, handling, food processing, and cooking on 
the nutrients they contain;
    (ii) Surveillance of the nutritional benefits provided to 
participants in the food programs administered by the Department;
    (iii) Research on the factors affecting food preference and habits; 
and
    (iv) The development of techniques and equipment to assist 
consumers in the home and in institutions in selecting food that 
supplies a nutritionally adequate diet (7 U.S.C. 3171-3175, 3177).
    (2) The authority in paragraph (h)(1) of this section includes the 
authority to:
    (i) Appraise the nutritive content of the U.S. food supply;
    (ii) Develop and make available data on the nutrient composition of 
foods needed by Federal, State, and local agencies administering food 
and nutrition programs, and the general public, to improve the 
nutritional quality of diets;
    (iii) Develop family food plans at different costs for use as 
standards by families of different sizes, sex-age composition, and 
economic levels;
    (iv) Develop suitable and safe preparation and management 
procedures to retain nutritional and eating qualities of food served in 
homes and institutions;
    (v) Develop materials to aid the public in meeting dietary needs, 
with emphasis on food selection for good nutrition and appropriate 
cost, and food preparation to avoid waste, maximize nutrient retention, 
minimize food safety hazards, and conserve energy;
    (vi) Develop food plans for use in establishing food stamp benefit 
levels, and assess the nutritional impact of Federal food programs;
    (vii) Coordinate nutrition education research and professional 
education projects within the Department; and
    (viii) Maintain data generated on food composition in a National 
Nutrient Data Bank.
    (3) Conduct, in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human 
Services, the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research 
Program. Included in this delegation is the authority to:
    (i) Design and carry out periodic nationwide food consumption 
surveys to measure household food consumption;
    (ii) Design and carry out a continuous, longitudinal individual 
intake survey of the United States population and special high-risk 
groups;
    (iii) Design and carry out methodological research studies to 
develop improved procedures for collecting household and individual 
food intake consumption data;
    (iv) Analyze data from such surveys to provide a basis for 
evaluating dietary adequacy; and
    (v) Consult with the Federal and State agencies, the Congress, 
universities, and other public and private organizations and the 
general public regarding household food consumption, individual intake, 
and dietary adequacy, and implications of the survey on public policy 
regarding food and nutrition policies.
    (4) Conduct a program of nutrition education research.
    (5) Co-chair with the Assistant Secretary for Health, Department of 
Health and Human Services, the Interagency Board for Nutrition 
Monitoring and Related Research for the development and coordination of 
a Ten-Year Comprehensive Plan as required by Public Law No. 101-445.

Subpart L--Delegations of Authority by the Assistant Secretary for 
Food and Consumer Services

    4. Section 2.92 is removed and reserved.

Subpart N--Delegations of Authority by the Assistant Secretary for 
Science and Education

    5. Section 2.106 is amended by adding new paragraphs (a)(65) 
through (a)(69) to read as follows:


Sec. 2.106  Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.

    (a) * * *
    (65) Administer a national food and human nutrition research 
program under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended. As used herein the term 
``research'' includes:
    (i) Research on the nutrient composition of foods and the effects 
of agricultural practices, handling, food processing, and cooking on 
the nutrients they contain;
    (ii) Surveillance of the nutritional benefits provided to 
participants in the food programs administered by the Department;
    (iii) Research on the factors affecting food preference and habits; 
and
    (iv) The development of techniques and equipment to assist 
consumers in the home and in institutions in selecting food that 
supplies a nutritionally adequate diet (7 U.S.C. 3171-3175, 3177).
    (66) The authority in paragraph (a)(65)(i) of this section includes 
the authority to:
    (i) Appraise the nutritive content of the U.S. food supply;
    (ii) Develop and make available data on the nutrient composition of 
foods needed by Federal, State, and local agencies administering food 
and nutrition programs, and the general public, to improve the 
nutritional quality of diets;
    (iii) Develop family food plans at different costs for use as 
standards by families of different sizes, sex-age composition, and 
economic levels;
    (iv) Develop suitable and safe preparation and management 
procedures to retain nutritional and eating qualities of food served in 
homes and institutions;
    (v) Develop materials to aid the public in meeting dietary needs, 
with emphasis on food selection for good nutrition and appropriate 
cost, and food preparation to avoid waste, maximize nutrient retention, 
minimize food safety hazards, and conserve energy;
    (vi) Develop food plans for use in establishing food stamp benefit 
levels, and assess the nutritional impact of Federal food programs;
    (vii) Coordinate nutrition education research and professional 
education projects within the Department; and
    (viii) Maintain data generated on food composition in a National 
Nutrient Data Bank.
    (67) Conduct, in cooperation with the Department of Health and 
Human Services, the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research 
Program. Included in this delegation is the authority to:
    (i) Design and carry out periodic nationwide food consumption 
surveys to measure household food consumption;
    (ii) Design and carry out a continuous, longitudinal individual 
intake survey of the United States population and special high-risk 
groups;
    (iii) Design and carry out methodological research studies to 
develop improved procedures for collecting household and individual 
food intake consumption data;
    (iv) Analyze data from such surveys to provide a basis for 
evaluating dietary adequacy; and
    (v) Consult with the Federal and State agencies, the Congress, 
universities, and other public and private organizations and the 
general public regarding household food consumption, individual intake, 
and dietary adequacy, and implications of the survey on public policy 
regarding food and nutrition policies.
    (68) Conduct a program of nutrition education research.
    (69) Provide staff support to the Assistant Secretary for Science 
and Education related to the Ten-Year Comprehensive Plan and the 
Interagency Board for Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research 
required by Public Law No. 101-445.
* * * * *
    For Subparts C and L.

    Dated: July 5, 1994.
Mike Espy,
Secretary of Agriculture.

    For Subpart N.
R.D. Plowman,
Acting Assistant Secretary, Science and Education.
[FR Doc. 94-16757 Filed 7-14-94; 8:45 am]
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