[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 7 CFR Part 2 Revision of Delegations of Authority AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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] BILLING CODE 3410-03-M