TITLE 7 - US CODE - CHAPTER 109 - ANIMAL HEALTH PROTECTION

7 USC 8301 - Findings

Congress finds that

(1) the prevention, detection, control, and eradication of diseases and pests of animals are essential to protect

(A) animal health;

(B) the health and welfare of the people of the United States;

(D) the environment of the United States; and

(E) interstate commerce and foreign commerce of the United States in animals and other articles;

(2) animal diseases and pests are primarily transmitted by animals and articles regulated under this chapter;

(3) the health of animals is affected by the methods by which animals and articles are transported in interstate commerce and foreign commerce;

(4) the Secretary must continue to conduct research on animal diseases and pests that constitute a threat to the livestock of the United States; and

(5)

(A) all animals and articles regulated under this chapter are in or affect interstate commerce or foreign commerce; and

(B) regulation by the Secretary and cooperation by the Secretary with foreign countries, States or other jurisdictions, or persons are necessary

(i) to prevent and eliminate burdens on interstate commerce and foreign commerce;

(ii) to regulate effectively interstate commerce and foreign commerce; and

(iii) to protect the agriculture, environment, economy, and health and welfare of the people of the United States.

7 USC 8302 - Definitions

In this chapter:

(1) Animal
The term animal means any member of the animal kingdom (except a human).

(2) Article
The term article means any pest or disease or any material or tangible object that could harbor a pest or disease.

(3) Disease
The term disease has the meaning given the term by the Secretary.

(4) Enter
The term enter means to move into the commerce of the United States.

(5) Export
The term export means to move from a place within the territorial limits of the United States to a place outside the territorial limits of the United States.

(6) Facility
The term facility means any structure.

(7) Import
The term import means to move from a place outside the territorial limits of the United States to a place within the territorial limits of the United States.

(8) Indian tribe
The term Indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section 450b of title 25.

(9) Interstate commerce
The term interstate commerce means trade, traffic, or other commerce

(A) between a place in a State and a place in another State, or between places within the same State but through any place outside that State; or

(B) within the District of Columbia or any territory or possession of the United States.

(10) Livestock
The term livestock means all farm-raised animals.

(11) Means of conveyance
The term means of conveyance means any personal property used for or intended for use for the movement of any other personal property.

(12) Move
The term move means

(A) to carry, enter, import, mail, ship, or transport;

(B) to aid, abet, cause, or induce carrying, entering, importing, mailing, shipping, or transporting;

(D) to receive in order to carry, enter, import, mail, ship, or transport;

(E) to release into the environment; or

(F) to allow any of the activities described in this paragraph.

(13) Pest
The term pest means any of the following that can directly or indirectly injure, cause damage to, or cause disease in livestock:

(A) A protozoan.

(B) A plant.

(D) A fungus.

(E) A virus or viroid.

(F) An infectious agent or other pathogen.

(G) An arthropod.

(H) A parasite.

(I) A prion.

(J) A vector.

(K) Any organism similar to or allied with any of the organisms described in this paragraph.

(14) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.

(15) State
The term State means any of the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United States, or any territory or possession of the United States.

(16) This chapter
Except when used in this section, the term this chapter includes any regulation or order issued by the Secretary under the authority of this chapter.

(17) United States
The term United States means all of the States.

7 USC 8303 - Restriction on importation or entry

(a) In general
With notice to the Secretary of the Treasury and public notice as soon as practicable, the Secretary may prohibit or restrict

(1) the importation or entry of any animal, article, or means of conveyance, or use of any means of conveyance or facility, if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction into or dissemination within the United States of any pest or disease of livestock;

(2) the further movement of any animal that has strayed into the United States if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction into or dissemination within the United States of any pest or disease of livestock; and

(3) the use of any means of conveyance in connection with the importation or entry of livestock if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary because the means of conveyance has not been maintained in a clean and sanitary condition or does not have accommodations for the safe and proper movement of livestock.

(b) Regulations

(1) Restrictions on import and entry
The Secretary may issue such orders and promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out subsection (a) of this section.

(2) Post importation quarantine
The Secretary may promulgate regulations requiring that any animal imported or entered be raised or handled under post-importation quarantine conditions by or under the supervision of the Secretary for the purpose of determining whether the animal is or may be affected by any pest or disease of livestock.

(1) In general
The Secretary may order the destruction or removal from the United States of

(A) any animal, article, or means of conveyance that has been imported but has not entered the United States if the Secretary determines that destruction or removal from the United States is necessary to prevent the introduction into or dissemination within the United States of any pest or disease of livestock;

(B) any animal or progeny of any animal, article, or means of conveyance that has been imported or entered in violation of this chapter; or

(C) any animal that has strayed into the United States if the Secretary determines that destruction or removal from the United States is necessary to prevent the introduction into or dissemination within the United States of any pest or disease of livestock.

(2) Requirements of owners

(A) Orders to disinfect
The Secretary may require the disinfection of

(i) a means of conveyance used in connection with the importation of an animal;

(ii) an individual involved in the importation of an animal and personal articles of the individual; and

(iii) any article used in the importation of an animal.

(B) Failure to comply with orders
If an owner fails to comply with an order of the Secretary under this section, the Secretary may

(i) take remedial action, destroy, or remove from the United States the animal or progeny of any animal, article, or means of conveyance as authorized under paragraph (1); and

(ii) recover from the owner the costs of any care, handling, disposal, or other action incurred by the Secretary in connection with the remedial action, destruction, or removal.

7 USC 8304 - Exportation

(a) In general
The Secretary may prohibit or restrict

(1) the exportation of any animal, article, or means of conveyance if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the dissemination from or within the United States of any pest or disease of livestock;

(2) the exportation of any livestock if the Secretary determines that the livestock is unfit to be moved;

(3) the use of any means of conveyance or facility in connection with the exportation of any animal or article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the dissemination from or within the United States of any pest or disease of livestock; or

(4) the use of any means of conveyance in connection with the exportation of livestock if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary because the means of conveyance has not been maintained in a clean and sanitary condition or does not have accommodations for the safe and proper movement and humane treatment of livestock.

(b) Requirements of owners

(1) Orders to disinfect
The Secretary may require the disinfection of

(A) a means of conveyance used in connection with the exportation of an animal;

(B) an individual involved in the exportation of an animal and personal articles of the individual; and

(2) Failure to comply with orders
If an owner fails to comply with an order of the Secretary under this section, the Secretary may

(A) take remedial action with respect to the animal, article, or means of conveyance referred to in paragraph (1); and

(B) recover from the owner the costs of any care, handling, disposal, or other action incurred by the Secretary in connection with the remedial action.

(c) Certification
The Secretary may certify the classification, quality, quantity, condition, processing, handling, or storage of any animal or article intended for export.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

(1) In general
There is authorized to be appropriated

(A) $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out section 11010 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; and

(B) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out this section.

(2) Availability
Funds appropriated under paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.

7 USC 8305 - Interstate movement

The Secretary may prohibit or restrict

(1) the movement in interstate commerce of any animal, article, or means of conveyance if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction or dissemination of any pest or disease of livestock; and

(2) the use of any means of conveyance or facility in connection with the movement in interstate commerce of any animal or article if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the introduction or dissemination of any pest or disease of livestock.

7 USC 8306 - Seizure, quarantine, and disposal

(a) In general
The Secretary may hold, seize, quarantine, treat, destroy, dispose of, or take other remedial action with respect to

(1) any animal or progeny of any animal, article, or means of conveyance that

(A) is moving or has been moved in interstate commerce or has been imported and entered; and

(B) the Secretary has reason to believe may carry, may have carried, or may have been affected with or exposed to any pest or disease of livestock at the time of movement or that is otherwise in violation of this chapter;

(2) any animal or progeny of any animal, article, or means of conveyance that is moving or is being handled, or has moved or has been handled, in interstate commerce in violation of this chapter;

(3) any animal or progeny of any animal, article, or means of conveyance that has been imported, and is moving or is being handled or has moved or has been handled, in violation of this chapter; or

(4) any animal or progeny of any animal, article, or means of conveyance that the Secretary finds is not being maintained, or has not been maintained, in accordance with any post-importation quarantine, post-importation condition, post-movement quarantine, or post-movement condition in accordance with this chapter.

(b) Extraordinary emergencies

(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2), if the Secretary determines that an extraordinary emergency exists because of the presence in the United States of a pest or disease of livestock and that the presence of the pest or disease threatens the livestock of the United States, the Secretary may

(A) hold, seize, treat, apply other remedial actions to, destroy (including preventative slaughter), or otherwise dispose of, any animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance if the Secretary determines the action is necessary to prevent the dissemination of the pest or disease; and

(B) prohibit or restrict the movement or use within a State, or any portion of a State of any animal or article, means of conveyance, or facility if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary to prevent the dissemination of the pest or disease.

(2) State action

(A) In general
The Secretary may take action in a State under this subsection only on finding that measures being taken by the State are inadequate to control or eradicate the pest or disease, after review and consultation with (i)^[1] the Governor or an appropriate animal health official of the State; or (ii)^[1] in the case of any animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, the head of the Indian tribe.

(B) Notice
Subject to subparagraph (C), before any action is taken in a State under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall

(i) notify the Governor, an appropriate animal health official of the State, or head of the Indian tribe of the proposed action;

(ii) issue a public announcement of the proposed action; and

(iii) publish in the Federal Register

(I) the findings of the Secretary;

(II) a description of the proposed action; and

(III) a statement of the reasons for the proposed action.

(C) Notice after action
If it is not practicable to publish in the Federal Register the information required under subparagraph (B)(iii) before taking action under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall publish the information as soon as practicable, but not later than 10 business days, after commencement of the action.

(1) In general
The Secretary, in writing, may order the owner of any animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance referred to in subsection (a) or (b) of this section to maintain in quarantine, dispose of, or take other remedial action with respect to the animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance, in a manner determined by the Secretary.

(2) Failure to comply with orders
If the owner fails to comply with the order of the Secretary, the Secretary may

(A) seize, quarantine, dispose of, or take other remedial action with respect to the animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance under subsection (a) or (b) of this section; and

(B) recover from the owner the costs of any care, handling, disposal, or other remedial action incurred by the Secretary in connection with the seizure, quarantine, disposal, or other remedial action.

(d) Compensation

(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall compensate the owner of any animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance that the Secretary requires to be destroyed under this section.

(2) Amount

(A) In general
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the compensation shall be based on the fair market value, as determined by the Secretary, of the destroyed animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance.

(B) Limitation
Compensation paid any owner under this subsection shall not exceed the difference between

(i) the fair market value of the destroyed animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance; and

(ii) any compensation received by the owner from a State or other source for the destroyed animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance.

(C) Reviewability
The determination by the Secretary of the amount to be paid under this subsection shall be final and not subject to judicial review or review by any officer or employee of the Federal Government other than the Secretary or the designee of the Secretary.

(3) Exceptions
No payment shall be made by the Secretary under this subsection for

(A) any animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance that has been moved or handled by the owner in violation of an agreement for the control and eradication of diseases or pests or in violation of this chapter;

(B) any progeny of any animal or article, which animal or article has been moved or handled by the owner of the animal or article in violation of this chapter;

(D) any animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance that becomes or has become affected with or exposed to any pest or disease of livestock because of a violation of an agreement for the control and eradication of diseases or pests or a violation of this chapter by the owner.

[1] So in original. Opening quotation marks probably should not appear.

7 USC 8307 - Inspections, seizures, and warrants

(a) Guidelines
The activities authorized by this section shall be carried out consistent with guidelines approved by the Attorney General.

(b) Warrantless inspections
The Secretary may stop and inspect, without a warrant, any person or means of conveyance moving

(1) into the United States, to determine whether the person or means of conveyance is carrying any animal or article regulated under this chapter;

(2) in interstate commerce, on probable cause to believe that the person or means of conveyance is carrying any animal or article regulated under this chapter; or

(3) in intrastate commerce from any State, or any portion of a State, quarantined under section 8306 (b) of this title, on probable cause to believe that the person or means of conveyance is carrying any animal or article quarantined under section 8306 (b) of this title.

(1) In general
The Secretary may enter, with a warrant, any premises in the United States for the purpose of making inspections and seizures under this chapter.

(2) Application and issuance of warrants

(A) In general
On proper oath or affirmation showing probable cause to believe that there is on certain premises any animal, article, facility, or means of conveyance regulated under this chapter, a United States judge, a judge of a court of record in the United States, or a United States magistrate judge may issue a warrant for the entry on premises within the jurisdiction of the judge or magistrate to make any inspection or seizure under this chapter.

(B) Execution
The warrant may be applied for and executed by the Secretary or any United States marshal.

7 USC 8308 - Detection, control, and eradication of diseases and pests

(a) In general
The Secretary may carry out operations and measures to detect, control, or eradicate any pest or disease of livestock (including the drawing of blood and diagnostic testing of animals), including animals at a slaughterhouse, stockyard, or other point of concentration.

(b) Compensation

(1) In general
The Secretary may pay a claim arising out of the destruction of any animal, article, or means of conveyance consistent with the purposes of this chapter.

(2) Specific cooperative programs
The Secretary shall compensate industry participants and State agencies that cooperate with the Secretary in carrying out operations and measures under subsection (a) for 100 percent of eligible costs relating to cooperative programs involving Federal, State, and industry participants to control diseases of low pathogenicity in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary.

(3) Reviewability
The action of the Secretary in carrying out paragraph (1) shall not be subject to review by any officer or employee of the Federal Government other than the Secretary or the designee of the Secretary.

7 USC 8309 - Veterinary accreditation program

(a) In general
The Secretary may establish a veterinary accreditation program that is consistent with this chapter, including the establishment of standards of conduct for accredited veterinarians.

(b) Consultation
The Secretary shall consult with State animal health officials and veterinary professionals regarding the establishment of the veterinary accreditation program.

(1) In general
The Secretary may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing on the record, suspend or revoke the accreditation of any veterinarian accredited under this title^[1] who violates this chapter.

(2) Final order
The order of the Secretary suspending or revoking accreditation shall be treated as a final order reviewable under chapter 158 of title 28.

(3) Summary suspension

(A) In general
The Secretary may summarily suspend the accreditation of a veterinarian whom the Secretary has reason to believe knowingly violated this chapter.

(B) Hearings
The Secretary shall provide the veterinarian with a subsequent notice and an opportunity for a prompt post-suspension hearing on the record.

(d) Application of penalty provisions
The criminal and civil penalties described in section 8313 of this title shall not apply to a violation of this section that is not a violation of any other provision of this chapter.

[1] See References in Text note below.

7 USC 8310 - Cooperation

(a) In general
To carry out this chapter, the Secretary may cooperate with other Federal agencies, States or political subdivisions of States, national governments of foreign countries, local governments of foreign countries, domestic or international organizations, domestic or international associations, Indian tribes, and other persons.

(b) Responsibility
The person or other entity cooperating with the Secretary shall be responsible for the authority necessary to carry out operations or measures

(1) on all land and property within a foreign country or State, or under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, other than on land and property owned or controlled by the United States; and

(2) using other facilities and means, as determined by the Secretary.

(1) In general
The Secretary may, independently or in cooperation with national governments of foreign countries or international organizations or associations, produce and sell sterile screwworms to any national government of a foreign country or international organization or association, if the Secretary determines that the livestock industry and related industries of the United States will not be adversely affected by the production and sale.

(2) Proceeds

(A) Independent production and sale
If the Secretary independently produces and sells sterile screwworms under paragraph (1), the proceeds of the sale shall be

(i) deposited into the Treasury of the United States; and

(ii) credited to the account from which the operating expenses of the facility producing the sterile screwworms have been paid.

(B) Cooperative production and sale

(i) In general If the Secretary cooperates to produce and sell sterile screwworms under paragraph (1), the proceeds of the sale shall be divided between the United States and the cooperating national government or international organization or association in a manner determined by the Secretary.

(ii) Account The United States portion of the proceeds shall be

(I) deposited into the Treasury of the United States; and

(II) credited to the account from which the operating expenses of the facility producing the sterile screwworms have been paid.

(d) Cooperation in program administration
The Secretary may cooperate with State authorities, Indian tribe authorities, or other persons in the administration of regulations for the improvement of livestock and livestock products.

(e) Consultation and coordination with other Federal agencies

(1) In general
The Secretary shall consult and coordinate with the head of a Federal agency with respect to any activity that is under the jurisdiction of the Federal agency.

(2) Lead agency
Subject to the consultation and coordination requirement in paragraph (1), the Department of Agriculture shall be the lead agency with respect to issues related to pests and diseases of livestock.

7 USC 8311 - Reimbursable agreements

(a) Authority to enter into agreements
The Secretary may enter into reimbursable fee agreements with persons for preclearance of animals or articles at locations outside the United States for movement into the United States.

(b) Funds collected for preclearance
Funds collected for preclearance activities shall

(1) be credited to accounts that may be established by the Secretary for carrying out this section; and

(2) remain available until expended for the preclearance activities, without fiscal year limitation.

(1) In general
Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary may pay an officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture performing services under this chapter relating to imports into and exports from the United States for all overtime, night, or holiday work performed by the officer or employee at a rate of pay determined by the Secretary.

(2) Reimbursement

(A) In general
The Secretary may require a person for whom the services are performed to reimburse the Secretary for any expenses paid by the Secretary for the services under this subsection.

(B) Use of funds
All funds collected under this subsection shall

(i) be credited to the account that incurs the costs; and

(ii) remain available until expended, without fiscal year limitation.

(d) Late payment penalties

(1) Collection
On failure by a person to reimburse the Secretary in accordance with this section, the Secretary may assess a late payment penalty against the person, including interest on overdue funds, as required by section 3717 of title 31.

(2) Use of funds
Any late payment penalty and any accrued interest shall

(A) be credited to the account that incurs the costs; and

(B) remain available until expended, without fiscal year limitation.

7 USC 8312 - Administration and claims

(a) Administration
To carry out this chapter, the Secretary may

(1) acquire and maintain real or personal property;

(2) employ a person;

(3) make a grant; and

(4) notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31, enter into a contract, cooperative agreement, memorandum of understanding, or other agreement.

(b) Tort claims

(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may pay a tort claim, in the manner authorized by the first paragraph of section 2672 of title 28, if the claim arises outside the United States in connection with an activity authorized under this chapter.

(2) Requirements
A claim may not be allowed under this subsection unless the claim is presented in writing to the Secretary not later than 2 years after the date on which the claim arises.

7 USC 8313 - Penalties

(a) Criminal penalties

(1) Offenses

(A) In general
A person that knowingly violates this chapter, or knowingly forges, counterfeits, or, without authority from the Secretary, uses, alters, defaces, or destroys any certificate, permit, or other document provided for in this chapter shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

(B) Distribution or sale
A person that knowingly imports, enters, exports, or moves any animal or article, for distribution or sale, in violation of this chapter, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

(2) Multiple violations
On the second and any subsequent conviction of a person of a violation of this chapter under paragraph (1), the person shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

(b) Civil penalties

(1) In general
Except as provided in section 8309 (d) of this title, any person that violates this chapter, or that forges, counterfeits, or, without authority from the Secretary, uses, alters, defaces, or destroys any certificate, permit, or other document provided under this chapter may, after notice and opportunity for a hearing on the record, be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary that does not exceed the greater of

(A)

(i) $50,000 in the case of any individual, except that the civil penalty may not exceed $1,000 in the case of an initial violation of this chapter by an individual moving regulated articles not for monetary gain;

(ii) $250,000 in the case of any other person for each violation; and

(iii) for all violations adjudicated in a single proceeding

(I) $500,000 if the violations do not include a willful violation; or

(II) $1,000,000 if the violations include 1 or more willful violations.

(B) twice the gross gain or gross loss for any violation or forgery, counterfeiting, or unauthorized use, alteration, defacing or destruction of a certificate, permit, or other document provided under this chapter that results in the persons deriving pecuniary gain or causing pecuniary loss to another person.

(2) Factors in determining civil penalty
In determining the amount of a civil penalty, the Secretary shall take into account the nature, circumstance, extent, and gravity of the violation or violations and the Secretary may consider, with respect to the violator

(A) the ability to pay;

(B) the effect on ability to continue to do business;

(D) the degree of culpability; and

(E) such other factors as the Secretary considers to be appropriate.

(3) Settlement of civil penalties
The Secretary may compromise, modify, or remit, with or without conditions, any civil penalty that may be assessed under this subsection.

(4) Finality of orders

(A) Final order
The order of the Secretary assessing a civil penalty shall be treated as a final order reviewable under chapter 158 of title 28.

(B) Review
The validity of the order of the Secretary may not be reviewed in an action to collect the civil penalty.

(C) Interest
Any civil penalty not paid in full when due under an order assessing the civil penalty shall thereafter accrue interest until paid at the rate of interest applicable to civil judgments of the courts of the United States.

(c) Liability for acts of agents
In the construction and enforcement of this chapter, the act, omission, or failure of any officer, agent, or person acting for or employed by any other person within the scope of the employment or office of the officer, agent, or person, shall be deemed also to be the act, omission, or failure of the other person.

(d) Guidelines for civil penalties
Subject to the approval of the Attorney General, the Secretary shall establish guidelines to determine under what circumstances the Secretary may issue a civil penalty or suitable notice of warning in lieu of prosecution by the Attorney General of a violation of this chapter.

7 USC 8314 - Enforcement

(a) Collection of information

(1) In general
The Secretary may gather and compile information and conduct any inspection or investigation that the Secretary considers to be necessary for the administration or enforcement of this chapter.

(2) Subpoenas

(A) In general
The Secretary shall have the power to subpoena the attendance and testimony of any witness, the production of all evidence (including books, papers, documents, electronically stored information, and other tangible things that constitute or contain evidence), or to require the person to whom the subpoena is directed to permit the inspection of premises relating to the administration or enforcement of this chapter^[1] or any matter under investigation in connection with this chapter.^[1]

(B) Location of production
The attendance of any witness and production of evidence relevant to the inquiry may be required from any place in the United States.

(i) In general In case of disobedience to a subpoena by any person, the Secretary may request the Attorney General to invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction in which the investigation is conducted, or where the person resides, is found, transacts business, is licensed to do business, or is incorporated, to require the attendance and testimony of any witness, the production of evidence, or the inspection of premises.

(ii) Noncompliance In case of a refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any person, a court may order the person to appear before the Secretary and give evidence concerning the matter in question, produce evidence, or permit the inspection of premises.

(iii) Contempt Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as contempt of the court.

(D) Compensation

(i) Witnesses A witness summoned by the Secretary under this chapter shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid to a witness in a court of the United States.

(ii) Depositions A witness whose deposition is taken, and the person taking the deposition, shall be entitled to the same fees that are paid for similar services in a court of the United States.

(E) Procedures

(i) Publication The Secretary shall publish procedures for the issuance of subpoenas under this section.

(ii) Review The procedures shall include a requirement that subpoenas be reviewed for legal sufficiency and, to be effective, be signed by the Secretary.

(iii) Delegation If the authority to sign a subpoena is delegated to an agency other than the Office of Administrative Law Judges, the agency receiving the delegation shall seek review of the subpoena for legal sufficiency outside that agency.

(b) Authority of Attorney General
The Attorney General may

(1) prosecute, in the name of the United States, all criminal violations of this chapter that are referred to the Attorney General by the Secretary or are brought to the notice of the Attorney General by any person;

(2) bring an action to enjoin the violation of or to compel compliance with this chapter, or to enjoin any interference by any person with the Secretary in carrying out this chapter, in any case in which the Secretary has reason to believe that the person has violated, or is about to violate this chapter or has interfered, or is about to interfere, with the actions of the Secretary; or

(3) bring an action for the recovery of any unpaid civil penalty, funds under a reimbursable agreement, late payment penalty, or interest assessed under this chapter.

(1) In general
The United States district courts, the District Court of Guam, the District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands, the District Court of the Virgin Islands, the highest court of American Samoa, and the United States courts of the other territories and possessions are vested with jurisdiction in all cases arising under this chapter.

(2) Venue
Any action arising under this chapter may be brought, and process may be served, in the judicial district where a violation or interference occurred or is about to occur, or where the person charged with the violation, interference, impending violation, impending interference, or failure to pay resides, is found, transacts business, is licensed to do business, or is incorporated.

(3) Exception
Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not apply to sections 8309 (c) and 8313 (b) of this title.

[1] See References in Text note below.

7 USC 8315 - Regulations and orders

The Secretary may promulgate such regulations, and issue such orders, as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out this chapter.

7 USC 8316 - Authorization of appropriations

(a) In general
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this chapter.

(b) Transfer of funds

(1) In general
In connection with an emergency under which a pest or disease of livestock threatens any segment of agricultural production in the United States, the Secretary may transfer from other appropriations or funds available to the agencies or corporations of the Department of Agriculture such funds as the Secretary determines are necessary for the arrest, control, eradication, or prevention of the spread of the pest or disease of livestock and for related expenses.

(2) Availability
Any funds transferred under this subsection shall remain available until expended, without fiscal year limitation.

(3) Reviewability
The action of any officer, employee, or agent of the Secretary in carrying out this section (including determining the amount of and making any payment authorized to be made under this chapter) shall not be subject to review by any officer or employee of the Federal Government other than the Secretary or the designee of the Secretary.

(1) the employment of civilian nationals in foreign countries; and

(2) the construction and operation of research laboratories, quarantine stations, and other buildings and facilities for special purposes.

7 USC 8317 - Effect on regulations

A regulation issued under a provision of law repealed by subsection (a) shall remain in effect until the Secretary issues a regulation under section 8303 (b) or 8315 of this title that supersedes the earlier regulation.

7 USC 8318 - Veterinary training

The Secretary of Agriculture may develop a program to maintain in all regions of the United States a sufficient number of Federal and State veterinarians who are well trained in recognition and diagnosis of exotic and endemic animal diseases.

7 USC 8319 - Surveillance of zoonotic diseases

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Secretary of Agriculture shall coordinate the surveillance of zoonotic diseases.

7 USC 8320 - Expansion of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service activities

(a) In general
The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the Secretary) may utilize existing authorities to give high priority to enhancing and expanding the capacity of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to conduct activities to

(1) increase the inspection capacity of the Service at international points of origin;

(2) improve surveillance at ports of entry and customs;

(3) enhance methods of protecting against the introduction of plant and animal disease organisms by terrorists;

(4) develop new and improve existing strategies and technologies for dealing with intentional outbreaks of plant and animal disease arising from acts of terrorism or from unintentional introduction, including

(A) establishing cooperative agreements among Veterinary Services of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, State animal health commissions and regulatory agencies for livestock and poultry health, and private veterinary practitioners to enhance the preparedness and ability of Veterinary Services and the commissions and agencies to respond to outbreaks of such animal diseases; and

(B) strengthening planning and coordination with State and local agencies, including

(i) State animal health commissions and regulatory agencies for livestock and poultry health; and

(ii) State agriculture departments; and

(5) otherwise improve the capacity of the Service to protect against the threat of bioterrorism.

(b) Automated recordkeeping system
The Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service may implement a central automated recordkeeping system to provide for the reliable tracking of the status of animal and plant shipments, including those shipments on hold at ports of entry and customs. The Secretary shall ensure that such a system shall be fully accessible to or fully integrated with the Food Safety Inspection Service.

(c) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, and such sums as may be necessary for each subsequent fiscal year.

7 USC 8321 - Pest and Disease Response Fund

(a) Establishment
There is established on the books of the Treasury an account to be known as the Pest and Disease Response Fund. There shall be deposited into the Fund any proceeds received by the Secretary of Agriculture as reimbursement for services provided by the Secretary using amounts in the Fund.

(b) Availability
Amounts in the Fund shall remain available until expended.

(c) Use of Fund
In implementing the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) and the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the Secretary of Agriculture shall have complete discretion regarding the use of amounts in the Fund to support emergency eradication and research activities in response to economic and health threats posed by pests and diseases affecting agricultural commodities.

(d) Authorization of appropriations
For each of the fiscal years 2005 through 2009, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture $1,000,000 for deposit in the Fund.

7 USC 8322 - National aquatic animal health plan

(a) In general
The Secretary of Agriculture may enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity to carry out a project under a national aquatic animal health plan under the authority of the Secretary under section 10411 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8310) for the purpose of detecting, controlling, or eradicating diseases of aquaculture species and promoting species-specific best management practices.

(b) Cooperative agreements between eligible entities and the Secretary

(1) Duties
As a condition of entering into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary under this section, an eligible entity shall agree to

(A) assume responsibility for the non-Federal share of the cost of carrying out the project under the national aquatic health plan, as determined by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (2); and

(B) act in accordance with applicable disease and species specific best management practices relating to activities to be carried out under such project.

(2) Non-Federal share
The Secretary shall determine the non-Federal share of the cost of carrying out a project under the national aquatic health plan on a case-by-case basis for each such project. Such non-Federal share may be provided in cash or in-kind.

(c) Applicability of other laws
In carrying out this section, the Secretary may make use of the authorities under the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.), including the authority to carry out operations and measures to detect, control, and eradicate pests and diseases and the authority to pay claims arising out of the destruction of any animal, article, or means of conveyance.

(d) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

(e) Eligible entity defined
In this section, the term eligible entity means a State, a political subdivision of a State, Indian tribe, or other appropriate entity, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.