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Vernon C. Loen and Charles Leppert Files
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "Agriculture (2)" of the Loen and
Leppert Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 1 of the Loen and Leppert Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
[Feb 1976]
Memo Then: for Jan lannon
MF
n
From:
up.
Antpet: agreenthmal Research Policy Oct
of 1476.
On
1975, & sent you
h fraft 8 HR. 11339, a proposed agreement
Research Policy Oct for your information
Preacer HR. 11339 has you been sevioed
be
fu hu nive
by Rep. William Wompler (R.-Va)t the
reased bill well be introduced in
when the intro your please the their
the Honse on Thursday, February 5,1976.
The House agriculture Consentee
mm for her
has scheduled hearings m the revised
bill for Feb 17+18.
attached for you information +
review is a capy f redued draft.
The draft hill is based on b resources
Indation face national academy of Service
t has the pripper of the Seatemal Cassos -
calem of Land Grant Calleges
FORD LIBRARY 976839
X3861
hell: Tom adams from Womple office will
lall tomarrow for us to pick up The draft
to this Mino.
copy Plo. send Usea for it s Uttach it
30
2422 Rayburn
February 4, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CANNON
THRU:
MAX L. FRIEDERSDORF
VERN LOEN
FROM:
CHARLES LEPPERT, JR.
SUBJECT:
Agricultural Research Policy Act
of 1976
The latter part of last year, I sent you a draft of H.R. 11339, a
propesed Agricultural Research Policy Act for your information
and review. H.R. 11339 has now been revised by Rep. William
Wampler (R-Va.) and the revised bill will be introduced in the
House on Thursday, February 5, 1976. The revised bill will be
introduced with twenty-four cosponsors including the Committee
Chairman Tem Foley.
The House Agriculture Committee has scheduled hearings on the
revised bill for February 17 and 18.
Attached for your information and review is a copy of the revised
draft. The draft bill is based on a recommendation of the National
Academy of Sciences and has the full support of the National
Association of Land Grant Colleges.
Attachment
FORD & LIBRARY BERALD
WILLIAM C. WAMPLER
WASHINGTON OFFICE:
NINTH DISTRICT, VIRGINIA
2422 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515
COMMITTEES:
COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEES
DISTRICT OFFICES:
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Congress of the United States
524 CUMBERLAND STREET
RANKING MINORITY MEMBER
BRISTOL, VIRGINIA 24201
house of Representatives
309 N. WASHINGTON AVENUE
PULASKI, VIRGINIA 24301
Mashington, D.C. 20515
P.O. Box 2000
POST OFFICE BUILDING
BIG STONE GAP, VIRGINIA 24219
Feb 5 [1976]
Charlie,
/ am attaching a copy
of the Hearings on Ag Research
and Development before the
House Subcommittee on Science, Research
and Technology (Note-ner Teague,
Chairman of the Full Comm is a
cosponser of Mr Wanglers Bell)
Dr WiTTwer is going to be
testimony before the above Committee
Our lead-off witness- - his previous
back grounds this Dg Desearele Bill-
Starts at page 7 (cliped); other points R.
also clipped
Tom Adams
FORD LIBRARY GERALD
225-3861
CONGRESS
(Original signature of Member)
SESSION
H.R. 11743
See page second
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Bill
February 5, 1976
Mr. Wampler (for himself, Mr. Foley, Mr. de la Garza, Mr. Vigorito,
Mr. Jones of North Carolina, Mr. Melcher, Mr. Bowen, Mr. Weaver,
Mr. Baldus, Mr. McHugh, Mr. Jenrette, Mr. Thornton, Mr. Sebelius,
Mr. Findley, Mr. Thone, Mr. Symms, Mr. Johnson of Colorado, Mr. Madigan,
Mr. Peyser, Mrs. Heckler, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Grassley,
Mr. Hagedorn, and Mr. Moore) introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on
A
BILL
To establish a National Agricultural Research Policy Committee,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tires of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SHORT TITLE
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "National
Agricultural Research Policy Act of 1976".
FINDINGS AND PURPOSES
SEC. 2. (a) The Congress finds that-
(1) agricultural research is vital to the Nation's
well-being;
(2) the projected increase in the population of the
United States, together with the worldwide population
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
94th CONGRESS
(Original signature of Member)
2nd SESSION
H.R. 11744
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. Wampler (for himself, Mr. Teague, Mr. Fithian, Mr. Jones of
Tenn., Mr. Litton and Mr. Pressler) introduced the following bill; d
which was referred
to the Committee on
A
BILL
To establish a National Agricultural Research Policy Committee,
and for other purposes.
Bc it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SHORT TITLE
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "National
Agricultural Research Policy Act of 1976".
FINDINGS AND PURPOSES
SEC. 2. (a) The Congress finds that-
(1) agriculturál research is vital to the Nation's
well-being;
(2) the projected increase in the population of the
United States, together with the worldwide population
FORD i LIBRARY GERALD
expansion, places increasing demands on agricultural production
in the United States;
(3) agriculture and agricultural production are a
national resource and should be supported by a strong
system of agriculturally-related research;
(4) seeking means and methods to lower the cost
of food and fiber production is essential to the preserva-
tion of the family farm system in this country;
(5) expanding exports of agricultural commodities
is essential for maintaining a positive balance of pay-
ments in international trade;
(6) the public wants the plentiful supplies of
quality agricultural products that can bring consumer
expenditures on food to a lower portion of total income;
(7) agricultural research costs have risen more
rapidly than appropriations for agricultural research;
(8) various factors such as energy, the environ-
ment, and social, political, and economic considerations
should be incorporated into agricultural research man-
agement planning activities;
(9) the level of Federal support for agricultural rc-
search, conducted by the United States Department of
Agriculture, State agricultural experiment stations, and
State colleges and universities engaged in agricultural
FORD i LIBRARY BERALD
-3-
research and the training of agricultural research
engineers and scientists, should be substantially
increased; and
(10) it is important to assure that the results
of agricultural research be effectively communicated
to farmers and all others who can benefit from it.
(b) The purposes of this Act are-
(1) to emphasize agricultural research as a distinct
mission of the United States Department of Agriculture;
(2) to be certain that all agricultural research is
effectively coordinated; and
(3) to provide a mechanism for identifying the Na-
tion's highest priority problems for agricultural research.
COORDINATION OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
Sec. 3. (a) In addition to the Assistant Secretaries
of Agriculture now provided for by law, there shall be one
additional Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, who shall be
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, and who shall be responsible for
agricultural research activities of the Department of
Agriculture.
(b) Section 5315(11) of title 5, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
& LIBRARY GERALD
-4-
"(11) Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture (5)."
(c) The individual appointed pursuant to subsection (a)
of this section shall--
(1) coordinate all research, and disseminate all
research information, relating to agriculture, food
production, and nutrition conducted or financed by or
affiliated with the United States Department of
Agriculture;
(2) keep abreast of developments in, and the Nation's
needs for, agricultural research and represent the needs
of such research in deliberations in the United States
Department of Agriculture;
(3) provide information exchange and coordination
among the diverse research programs;
(4) serve as co-chairman of the National Agricultural
Research Policy Committee established pursuant to section
5 of this Act; and
(5) perform other duties as determined from time to
time by the Secretary of Agriculture.
FORD & LIBRARY 07V835
-5-
Agricultural Research Advisor
Sec. 4. (a) The Secretary of Agriculture shall appoint
a scientist to serve in the Office of the Secretary and
of
report to the Assistant Secretary for Agriculture who is
responsible for agricultural research. Such individual
shall receive compensation at a level no less than level 16 of
the General Schedule and shall be appointed on a noncareer
executive assignment basis.
LISEARY GERALD ? FORD
6
(b) The individual appointed pursuant to subsection (a)
of this section shall--
(1) serve as Executive Secretary of, and provide
staff support for, the National Agricultural Research
Policy Committee established pursuant to section 5 of
this Act;
(2) be an advisor to the Assistant Secretary
responsible for agricultural research; and
(3) perform other duties as determined from time
to time by the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture
responsible for agricultural research activities of
the Department.
(c) Such individual shall be provided a staff of
specialists to assist him in carrying out his functions.
Such staff shall be appointed pursuant to the provisions of
title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the
competititve service.
Establishment of National Agricultural Research
Policy Committee
Sec. 5. (a) There is established within the United
States Department of Agriculture a permanent committee
to be known as the National Agricultural Research Policy
Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee").
(b) The Committee shall consist of fifteen members
appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture as follows:
FORD : GERALD LIBRARY
7
(1) two representatives from the United States
Department of Agriculture, one from the Agricultural
Research Service and one from the Cooperative State
Research Service;
(2) one representative from each of the following
organizations upon the recommendation of the head
of such organization:
(1) the Board of Agriculture and Renewable
Resources, National Academy of Sciences;
(B) the Experiment Station Committee on
Organization and Policy of the National Association
of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges,
Division of Agriculture;
(C) the National Science Foundation;
(D) the Office of Technology Assessment of
the Congress of the United States;
(E) the Environmental Protection Agency;
and
(F) the Food and Drug Administration, United
States Department of Health, Education, and Wel-
fare; and
(3) seven representatives from the following types
of organizations, as designated by the Secretary, upon
the recommendation of the head of the respective
1073 : LIBRARY GERALD
organization:
(A) two from national farm organizations;
(B) two from agricultural trade associations;
(C) one from a national environmental
organization;
(D) one from a national veterinary medical
association; and
(E) one from a national consumer organization.
(c) The Committee's responsibilities shall include, but
not be limited to-
(1) reviewing programs, policies, and goals of
agricultural research agencies of the Department of
Agriculture and the agricultural research portions of
programs in other agencies having primary missions out-
side of such Department;
(2) providing a forum for research sponsoring agen-
cies to exchange information on plans and programs
related to agriculture;
(3) establishing and developing national policies,
priorities, and strategies for agricultural research for
both the short and the long term for consideration by
the Department of Agriculture and other agencies, and
institutions conducting agricultural research; and
(4) reviewing and making recommendations to the
Secretary of Agriculture with regard to applications for
LIGHARY GERALD P. FORD
9
funding of research pursuant to sections 6 and 7 of this
Act.
(d) For purposes of this Act, the term "agricultural
research" shall include, but not be limited to, those activi-
ties described in section 1 of the Act of June 29, 1935 (+9
Stat. 436).
(c) While away from their homes or regular places of
business in the performance of services for the Committee,
members of the Committee shall be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with
applicable laws.
(f) In the event a vacancy should occur on the Com-
mittee it shall be filled in the same manner as provided in
subsection (b) of this section.
(g) No later than January 31 of each year, the Committee
shall submit a report on its activities during the preceding
fiscal year to the House Committee on Agriculture, the House
Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry, and the Senate Committee on Appro-
priations. The first report shall be due following the
first complete fiscal year after the enactment of this Act.
GERALD LIBRARY R. FORD
-10-
Grants for Mission-Oriented Research
Sec. 6. (a) In addition to any other grants made under
Federal law, the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to
make grants to land grant colleges and universities eligible
for assistance under the Acts of July 2, 1862 (commonly
known as the "First Morrill" Act) and of August 30, 1890
(commonly known as the "Second Morrill" Act), the Tuskegee
Institute, and to State agricultural experiment stations
eligible for assistance under the Act of March 2, 1887
(commonly known as the "Hatch Act") to carry out mission-
oriented basic agricultural research. These grants shall
be made without regard to matching funds being provided by
the States in which the recipients are located. All appli-
cations for funding pursuant to this section shall, prior to
approval, be submitted by the Secretary of Agriculture to
the Committee established by section 5 of this Act for
review and recommendation.
(b) For purposes of this Act, the term "mission-oriented
basic agricultural research" means agriculturally related
research on fundamental science topics with regard to which--
(1) there is a basic need already in existence for the
new knowledge that would be egnerated by this research;
(2) the research has a strong potential to be of
benefit to mankind; and
GERALD R. FORD
-11-
(3) the research deals with more than an unproven
concept.
Competitive Grant Program
Sec. 7. In addition to any other grants made under
Federal law, the Secretary of Agriculture is further au-
thorized to make grants, on a. competitive basis, to Federal
agencies, research institutions, organizations, and individuals
for the purpose of carrying out agricultural and food research.
These grants shall be made without regard to matching funds
being provided by the States in which the recipients are
located. All applications for funding pursuant to this sec-
tion shall, prior to approval, be submitted by the Secretary
of Agriculture to the Committee established by section 5 of
this Act for review and recommendation.
AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
SEC. 8. There are authorized to be appropriated for the
purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Act $50,000,-
000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1977, $100,-
000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, and
$250,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979.
RECOMMENDATION FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING OF
EXISTING PROGRAMS
SEC. 9. It is the sense of the Congress that Federal
funding for agricultural research programs existing on the
date of enactment of this Act should be increased by $250,-
& GERALD
000,000 annually.
ANALYSIS OF AGRICULTURE RESEARCH BILL
Sec. 1
Short Title: "The National Agricultural Research Policy Act of 1976".
Sec. 2
Findings and Purpose (Stated generally in letter).
Sec. 3
Coordination of Agricultural Research. Provides for appointment by Presiden
confirmed by Senate, of an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Research,
who shall: coordinate all research, and disseminate all research informa-
tion, relating to agriculture, food production, and nutrition conducted or
financed by or affiliated with USDA; keep abreast of developments and needs
for agriculture research; provide for information exchange and coordination
among diverse research programs; and serve as co-chairman of new National
Agricultural Research Policy Committee established under Section 5 of this
Act.
Sec. 4
Appoints Agricultural Research Advisor, GS-16 (non-career) scientist, to
the Assistant Secretary for Research, and he shall also serve as the Exec-
utive Secretary of and provide staff support to the Committee appointed
under Sec. 5. Said Advisor is provided with a career staff of specialists
to carry out his duties.
Sec. 5
Establishment of National Agricultural Research Policy Committee, consis-
ting of 15 members, 1 each from ARS, CSRS, National Academy of Sciences,
the Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy of the Nation-
al Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, Division of
Agriculture, the National Science Foundation, the Congressional Office of
Technology Assessment, EPA, FDA and two from national farm organizations,
two from agricultural trade associations, one from a national environmen-
tal organization, one from a national veterinary medical association, and
one from a national consumer organization.
The purpose of the Committee is to review programs, policies, and goals
of agricultural research agencies of USDA and agricultural research pro-
grams of other Federal agencies; provide a forum for research sponsoring
agencies for exchanging information on plans and programs relating to
agriculture; establish and develop national policies, priorities, and
strategies for both the short and long term for consideration by USDA and
other agencies and institutions conducting agricultural research; and re-
view and make recommendations on grant applications for funding of research
established in Sections 6 and 7; and submit an annual report to the Senate
and House Committees on Agriculture and Appropriations on its activities
during the preceeding year.
Sec. 6
Make 100% Federal grants for mission-oriented agricultural research to land
grant colleges and state agricultural experiment stations, above those al-
ready granted under the Hatch Act programs.
Sec. 7
Make 100% Federal grants on a competitive basis to Federal Agencies, research
institutions, organizations and invividuals for agricultural and food re-
search. Program would broaden the base for agricultural research.
Sec. 8
Authorizes $50 million in FY 1977, $100 million in FY 1978, and $250 million
in FY 1979 for carrying out provisions of this Act.
Sec. 9
Recommends that it is the sense of Congress that Federal funding of existing
agricultural research programs on the date of enactment be increased by
$250 million annually.
GERALD
LIBRARY
USDA OUTLAYS
1969 - 1976 (Excluding Revolving Loan Funds)
BILLIONS
$BILLIONS
5
15
13.5
12.2
2
OTHER
12
/
NATURAL RESOURCES 11.0
TOTAL 10.4
10.1
9
8.5
8.2
9
7.9
8.0
INT'L AFFAIRS
INCOME SECURITY
6
6
3
AGRICULTURE
3
(ccc)
(Other)
0
0
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1976
GERALD
?
BUDGET CURRENT
FORD
FISCAL YEARS AGRICULTURE
ESTIMATE
RESEARCH
LIBRARY
1175
TOTALED #424 million
Explanation of Items Included in USDA Chart
Item
Explanation
Agriculture:
Other (. Bottons - gram).
Includes most of traditional
Agriculture programs, i.e.,
agricultural research, extension
work, disease and pest control,
crop insurance, agricultural
statistics and economic surveys,
marketing services, etc.
Commodity Credit Corporation
...
Includes Commodity Credit
Corporation expenditures
for farm programs including
price support.
Income Security
Includes Food Stamps, Child
Nutrition, School Milk, and
Commodity donations.
International Affairs
Includes P.L. 480 - donations or
sales of agricultural commodities
to foreign countries.
-
Natural Resources
Includes agricultural conservatio
payments, soil conservation servi
and National Forests' expenditure
Other
Includes meat and poultry inspect
Rural community development, and
Farm housing grants.
LISAARY GERALD P. FORD
(202) 225-2171
news release
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Room 1301, Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(Advance for use THURSDAY pris, FEB. 5, 1976)
WASHINGTON, D.C., FEB. 5
Legislation designed to strengthen
agricultural research activities with a view to increasing the nation's
food and fiber production and improving the nutritional quality of food
was introduced today bv ReD. William C. Wampler, R-Va., ranking minority
member of the House Agriculture Committee.
Joining with Wampler as co-sponsors of the measure were nearly a
score of other members of the Committee, including Chairman Thomas S.
Foley, D-Wash,, and other Democrats as well as Republicans.
The bill is a revised version of one introduced December 19 by
Nampler, with changes intended to make proposed programs more effective.
Primary among revisions is one made so that the bill now provides for
for appointment of an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Research
within the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Public hearings on the legislation have been scheduled by the full
Committee for Feb. 17 and 18.
Entitled "The National Agricultural Research Policy Act of 1976,
the measure, in addition to creating a new Assistant Secretary, with
a Research Advisor as his executive secretary, also establishes a
15-member National Agricultural Research Policy Committee. Other
sections in the bill provide financial assistance as follows: grants
to land grant colleges and state experiment stations, above those
already provided under Hatch Act programs. grants on a comnetitive
basis to federal agencies, research institutions, orcanizations and
individuals for research: authorization of $50 million in Fiscal 1977,
$100 million in Fiscal 1978, and $250 million in Fiscal 1979 for
carrying out provisions of the act. Still another section recommends
that it is the sense of Congress that federal funding of existing
agricultural research programs on the date of enactment be increased
by $250 million annually.
The proposed Assistant Secretary for Research would coordinate
all research, and disseminate all research information relating to
agriculture, food production, and nutrition conducted or financed by
or affiliated with the USDA. The Research Policy committee membership
would represent federal, state and private research institutions,
government agencies involved with agriculture and farm organizations.
It would review programs, policies and goals of agricultural research
agencies, establish and develop national policies, priorities and
strategies for both the short and long term for consideration by the
USDA and other agencies and institutions, and make recommendations
on grant applications for funding of research programs.
GERALD R. FORD
2/4/76
(202) 225-2171
news release
COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Room 1301, Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
FOR RELEASE: Noon, Monday, December 8, 1975
FREDRICKSBURG, Va., Dec. 8, 1975
Congressman William C. Wampler, R-Va.,
Ranking Minority Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, utilized
the occasion of a meeting of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water
Conservation Districts, to announce that he intended to introduce legis-
lation before the Christmas Congressional recess to authorize a major
shift in the Department of Agriculture's budget from food stamps to agri-
culture research in order to increase food production, increase farm in-
come, reduce food cost to consumers, conserve agricultural resources, and
improve nutrition.
Congressman Wampler stated his shift in emphasis in the Agriculture
budget from food stamps to research would not deprive the needy of food
stamps, nor add to the current budget. Instead, he said his proposal
would draw from funds now used to supply food stamps to the non-needy
(college students, strikers and others "voluntarily poor"), the cost of
which range in estimates from $1 billion to $2 billion annually out of
the total estimated $6 billion food stamp program, and substitute a sub-
stantial portion of those funds into necessary and worthwhile agricul-
tural research programs.
Utilizing a large graphic chart, Wampler asked his audience "to take
special note of the trends which have been developing and how the USDA's
main functions are no longer agriculture functions, but are instead wel-
fare functions."
To me the most shocking revelation was the fact that the Agriculture
Department's own budget people now refer to the Department's traditional
activities such as agricultural research, conservation programs, meat
and poultry inspection, and related functions as "other"! Unbelievable!",
he stated.
Congressman Wampler's brightly colored chart showed the Department's
total research, conservation, inspection and other related activities
remaining at a near $1 billion constant figure from 1969 to the 1976
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
2
current budget estimate, while food stamp and other income security ac-
tivity outlays climbed from a little over $1 billion in 1969 to slight-
ly less than $9 billion in the 1976 budget estimate. Wampler explained
that food stamp outlays by USDA accounted for slightly less than $6 bil-
lion in the latest budget estimate and that Agriculture research actually
suffered a substantial decline in real 1969 dollars because of inflation
during the period.
Emphasizing that it was by no accident that Americans are eating the
least expensive and at the same time the highest quality food in the world,
Wampler nonetheless cautioned, "We cannot take for granted that our ex-
cellent past performance in bettering ourselves through agricultural re-
search and extension programs will continue in the years ahead as we
strive to feed an ever-growing population that will double present num-
bers by the end of this century."
Quoting from a November 10 report to the President by the prestigious
National Academy of Science, a World Food and Nutrition Study, "Enhance-
ment of Food Production for the United States", Wampler stated:
"There are at least three major reasons other than humanitarian ones
why we should increase food production in the U. S. First, people
worldwide are restless: there is increasing violence and struggles
for freedom. Food must be provided along with education and health
care. Second, it is in the best interest of American business to
increase food production. Expanding exports of agricultural commod-
ities are the only real hope for maintaining a balance in internation-
al trade. Third, increased food production is in the best interest
of the American consumer. If production is not increased, food pri-
ces will continue to rise even faster than they have during the past
two years. "
He also noted that the National Academy of Science report recommended
a substantial emphasis on technological (biological, physical and chem-
ical) research and development in the Department of Agriculture to enhance
production and improve the dependability of U.S. food supplies, conserve
resources, and improve nutrition.
Wampler stated the major elements of his bill would be: first, the
establishment of a National Agricultural Research Policy Council to iden-
tify the Nation's highest priority problems for agricultural research,
second, the appointment of a principal administrator, for agricultural
research in the Department of Agriculture, to insure adequate and effec-
tive representation for agricultural research in the Department's highest
councils, so that the diverse fields of expertise in the department, in
the state agricultural systems, other Federal agencies and private re-
search can maximize the contribution of each toward solving today's more
complex food problems; third, to substantially increase the level of Fed-
eral support for State Agricultural Experimental Stations and State Uni-
versities engaged in agricultural research and the training of agricul-
tural research engineers and scientists; fourth, increased use of competi-
tive research grants by all Federal agencies supporting agricultural and
food research.
He said his legislation would expand the power base of American agri-
culture, lead to lowering of the cost of producing agricultural commodi-
ties and thereby raise farm income, and continue the progress of lowering
food costs for American consumers.
Wampler believes he will have strong support for his bill in the
Congress, the Agriculture Department, the Administration, and the agri-
cultural community.
FORD is LIBRARY
###
February 24, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CANNON
THRU:
MAX L. FRIEDERSDORF
VERN LOEN
FROM:
CHARLES LEPPERT, JR.
SUBJECT:
H. R. 11743, National Agricultural
Research Policy Act of 1976.
At the request of Rep. Bill Wampler (R-Va.), I met with various
Administration people in his effice concerning H. R. 11743. The
purpose of the meeting was to apprise the Administration of the
support for this bill in the House Agrimilture Committee and to
attempt to start working out any problems the Administration
might have with the bill prior to the Committee mark-up which
will begin in approximately two weeks.
Prior to the conclusion of the meeting Rep. Wampler specifically
asked that the White House take a hard look at this bill and stated
that the bill if supported enthusiastically by the White House could
be a political plus for the President and farm state GOP Members
of Congress. Wampler and other Members consider this bill as
one vehicle to rehabilitate the President's and the GOP's popularity
in the farm states and with farmers across the country.
Wampler asks that we let him know If the White House can support
this bill as soon as possible.
Also attached are some charts on research supplied by Rep.
Wampler,
Attachments
FORD : LIBRARY GERALD
FOR YOUR USE AND INFORMATION
March 5, 1976
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
FACT SHEET
AGRICULTURAL POLICY-MAKING REORGANIZATION
The President has announced a reorganization of the
Administration's agricultural policy-making machinery.
A new Agricultural Policy Committee is being formed with
Secretary Butz as Chairman. The Committee will include:
Secretary of Agriculture -- Chairman
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Commerce
Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs
Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Special Assistant to the President for Consumer
Affairs
Executive Director of the Council on International
Economic Policy
This new Committee is being formed to consolidate agricultural
policy making into one group which will report directly to
the President and will advise him on the formulation,
coordination and implementation of all agricultural policy.
The scope of the Committee will include both domestic and
international issues.
The new Committee replaces the International Food Review
Group, chaired by the Department of State, and the EPB/NSC
Food Committee, co-chaired by the Departments of State and
the Treasury.
The EPB/NSC Food Committee was created on September 9, 1975,
to develop negotiating strategy for American grain sales to
the Soviet Union and to monitor those negotiations. This
Committee has been chaired jointly by the Secretary of State
and the Secretary of the Treasury. Other members include:
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of Commerce
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
Executive Director of the Council on International
Economic Policy
Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs
Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs
more
2
The International Food Review Group was established on
November 12, 1974, to coordinate the follow-up to the
World Food Conference. The IFRG has been chaired by the
Secretary of State. Other members include:
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Agriculture
Deputy Secretary of State
Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Executive Director of the Council on International
Economic Policy
Special Representative for Trade Negotiations
Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs
The Food Deputies Group, which currently provides staff
level assistance to the Economic Policy Board in agricul-
tural policy matters, will become the Agricultural Policy
Working Group. This Working Group will provide the
Agricultural Policy Committee with staff assistance by
monitoring agricultural developments and preparing issue
papers and other analyses.
The Food Deputies Group was created to monitor agricultural
developments and to prepare materials on selected issues
being considered by the Economic Policy Board. This group
is chaired by a Member of the Council of Economic Advisers
and includes representatives of the:
Department of Agriculture
Department of the Treasury
Department of State
Department of Commerce
Office of Management and Budget
Council on International Economic Policy
Domestic Council
National Security Council
Special Representative for Trade Negotiations
Council on Wage and Price Stability
# # # # #
FOR YOUR USE AND INFORMATION
March 5, 1976
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
FACT SHEET
AGRICULTURAL POLICY-MAKING REORGANIZATION
The President has announced a reorganization of the
Administration's agricultural policy-making machinery.
A new Agricultural Policy Committee is being formed with
Secretary Butz as Chairman. The Committee will include:
Secretary of Agriculture -- Chairman
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Commerce
Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs
Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Special Assistant to the President for Consumer
Affairs
Executive Director of the Council on International
Economic Policy
This new Committee is being formed to consolidate agricultural
policy making into one group which will report directly to
the President and will advise him on the formulation,
coordination and implementation of all agricultural policy.
The scope of the Committee will include both domestic and
international issues.
The new Committee replaces the International Food Review
Group, chaired by the Department of State, and the EPB/NSC
Food Committee, co-chaired by the Departments of State and
the Treasury.
The EPB/NSC Food Committee was created on September 9, 1975,
to develop negotiating strategy for American grain sales to
the Soviet Union and to monitor those negotiations. This
Committee has been chaired jointly by the Secretary of State
and the Secretary of the Treasury. Other members include:
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Labor
Secretary of Commerce
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
Executive Director of the Council on International
Economic Policy
Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs
Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs
more
FORD
2
The International Food Review Group was established on
November 12, 1974, to coordinate the follow-up to the
World Food Conference. The IFRG has been chaired by the
Secretary of State. Other members include:
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Agriculture
Deputy Secretary of State
Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs
Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Executive Director of the Council on International
Economic Policy
Special Representative for Trade Negotiations
Assistant to the President for National Security
Affairs
The Food Deputies Group, which currently provides staff
level assistance to the Economic Policy Board in agricul-
tural policy matters, will become the Agricultural Policy
Working Group. This Working Group will provide the
Agricultural Policy Committee with staff assistance by
monitoring agricultural developments and preparing issue
papers and other analyses.
The Food Deputies Group was created to monitor agricultural
developments and to prepare materials on selected issues
being considered by the Economic Policy Board. This group
is chaired by a Member of the Council of Economic Advisers
and includes representatives of the:
Department of Agriculture
Department of the Treasury
Department of State
Department of Commerce
Office of Management and Budget
Council on International Economic Policy
Domestic Council
National Security Council
Special Representative for Trade Negotiations
Council on Wage and Price Stability
#####
FORD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 1976
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
TEXT OF REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO BE DELIVERED AT A FARM FORUM
PLAZA ROOM
FORUM 30 HOTEL
Springfield, Illinois
I am pleased to be here in Illinois -- in the Land of
Lincoln -- to meet with you, as outstanding representatives
of the agriculture of this great State.
Let's talk today about where this great corn belt
heartland of America is headed.
We have made some solid gains in agriculture in the
last few years.
The last three years have been the three highest net
farm income years in history. That's the way it should be.
It took hard work on your part. It took the right kind of
farm policies. I want to keep that good climate. I think
you do, too.
You, and all of our farmers must have a fair return for
your hard work.
There is another area we should examine. I refer to
farm surpluses and the restrictive farm programs that went
with them. We no longer have heavy farm surpluses hanging
over the market. I want to keep it that way. I think you
do, too.
We must sell grain, not pile it up in storage. That is
the program of my Administration.
We don't have an administration in Washington dumping
surpluses to force down the farm price and force you to sign
up in government-controlled farm programs. And we don't
want one!
The Nation's grain reserves are now in your own hands.
Today, you who raise the grain can decide the best time to
sell -- and you are.
I think you ought to know what I'm for and what I'm
against on some other matters:
I am firmly opposed to the government holding your
reserves in a government bin or warehouse. I'm against
policies that would have farmers producing again for a
government storage bin and a government check.
I am firmly opposed to a government board selling your
exports. I want our export trade to stay in private hands.
I am firmly opposed to any international reserve that
would put your farm products under the control of an inter-
national body where this country could be outvoted by
fifty to one -- or even by one hundred to one.
more
2
I am firmly opposed to subsidized imports. I don't want
American farmers competing against the treasuries of foreign
governments.
Let's talk about agricultural exports and the record of
this Administration. We exported a record twenty-one billion,
six hundred million dollars in agricultural products last
year. Nearly two billion of that came from Illinois. That
didn't just happen. We worked at it.
You know what those exports mean to your farms, to
your ability to plant and produce, to your income and to
your family's well-being. It's good for you. It's good
for Illinois.
Let's look at another accomplishment. We are selling
the Soviet Union two billion dollars or more in farm
products from the 1975 crop. That's a record -- a record
compiled during this Administration! And it's only the
beginning of continued exports to the Soviet Union.
We want our agricultural production to promote trade
and help keep the peace. We want to keep your boys on the
farms and send your bushels overseas -- and at good terms
of trade. I oppose policies which would keep your bushels
at home and send your boys overseas.
Last fall, as you know, we exercised a temporary
restraint on grain sales to Russia. Today, I want to
review that situation. At that time, we had already
sold the Russians about ten million tons of grain.
Facilities to transport the grain and the Russian
capability to handle incoming shipments were already
committed at capacity for months to come. If we had
sold the Russians one more bushel of corn or wheat at
that time, it couldn't have moved for months.
We were then in the midst of negotiations with the
Soviet government on long-term sales of our wheat and
corn. Although we welcome the Russians as customers, I
don't think they should come into our market only when
it suits them. I insisted on a long-term grain sales
agreement with the Soviet Union.
That's why there was a temporary halt in sales while
we put the finishing touches on that agreement. As soon
as we got the agreement we wanted, I ordered the temporary
halt lifted.
Since then, the Russians have come to us for another
three million tons. As we have said before, we remain
ready to sell them more this year if they want it. That's
where we stand on farm exports.
But better yet, because of the agreement we concluded,
you are going to have a regular market in Russia for no
less than six million tons of corn and wheat each year --
and maybe much more -- from 1976 through 1980. That is a
good deal for the American farmer, and for the Nation.
Let me emphasize: This is only a part of our policy
of strengthening our agricultural export trade. Farm
exports thus far in the 1970's will total two and a half
times more than in the same period in the 1960's. In
more
3
addition to the two billion dollars in sales to the Soviet
Union this fiscal year, we expect to sell six billion, eight
hundred million dollars to Western Europe nations, three
billion, two hundred million dollars to Japan alone and
one billion, two hundred million dollars to Eastern Europe.
We can be proud of that record.
I am proud, too, of our Secretary of Agriculture,
Earl Butz. I am today asking the Secretary to assume a
new and vital role in strengthening America's agricultural
policy making within the Executive Branch.
The Secretary will be the Chairman of a new Cabinet-level
Agricultural Policy Committee that I have created. This
Committee will consolidate all agricultural policy-making
functions of existing Executive Branch committees. It will
have the central role in the development and direction of
our Nation's food policies.
This new Committee -- and its leadership -- reasserts
the importance I attach to Secretary Butz as my chief
agricultural policy adviser and spokesman. I am confident
that this bolstering of agricultural policy within the
Executive Branch will benefit the farmers of Illinois and
all Americans.
Just as we are more effectively utilizing the energy
of Earl Butz, we look to the availability of energy in
general as the key to modern farming.
In American agriculture, machines greatly multiply the
efforts of men. You need plentiful supplies of petroleum
and natural gas.
U.S. production of natural gas peaked during 1973 and
has been declining ever since. This has serious implications
for agriculture. As farmers, you need natural gas for drying
your crops. You need it as the primary source for the
nitrogen fertilizers that put dollars in your pockets and
food on everyone's table.
Yet today that crucial supply of natural gas is being
choked-off by out-moded price regulations and restrictions
on the interstate shipment of natural gas.
As President I am determined to rectify this situation.
But I need the help of the Congress to change the restrictive
laws. I ask your support as farmers, and as members of
farm organizations, in helping me to remove this obstacle
to American productivity.
I am proud that there's now more confidence in rural
areas, that more young people are coming into agriculture,
and that the enrollments in our agricultural colleges are
running at an all-time high.
All citizens are concerned about estate taxes. But
this is a particular problem for farmers whose savings are
tied up in farm land. The value of an average farm is now
about two hundred thousand dollars. To prevent the forced
sale of family farms to meet inheritance taxes, I pre-
viously proposed a plan to defer estate tax payments, at
greatly reduced interest rates, over a twenty-five year
period. If adopted, this proposal would provide
substantial relief.
more
4
But an additional problem must be solved. While the
value of the dollar has eroded, our system of estate
taxation has changed little since the 1930's. To ease
the burden of estate taxes on the many Americans with
modest estates, I am proposing an increase of the present
60 thousand dollar estate-tax exemption to 150 thousand
dollars. The Treasury Department will present the full
details of my proposal to the Congress later this month.
Along with my tax deferral proposal, this exemption
increase should help owners of family farms and businesses
to hand them down from generation to generation without
the forced liquidation which is now too frequent.
I want to maintain the continuity of our family farms.
Too much labor and love go into the development of a paying
farm to dismantle it with every new generation.
Let us never forget that America's farmers must
profit -- if America is to profit. There must also be
enough income for you to replace machinery, to conserve
and enrich the soil, to adopt new techniques, and to buy
essential supplies. That's what keeps the American
economy going.
Some nations with other economic and political
philosophies have virtually the same tractors and combines
that you use. But those nations do not have the greatest
piece of farm machinery ever built -- the free enterprise
system.
We have turned things around in rural America -- and
we must keep it that way.
We have more to do and I want to work with you to get
it done.
I have fought hard to cut government spending, to curb
inflation, and to maintain a sound economy. This fight can
only succeed if our farming economy succeeds.
America's heritage was created by our farmers. The
time has come for all Americans to join you, the farmers,
in recultivating America's old and cherished values,
including our rededication to the highest moral and
spiritual values. You, the farmers of America, took the
challenge some 200 years ago. In the words of Ralph Waldo
Emerson, describing the heroic stand at Concord Bridge in
1775, "The embattled farmers stood, and fired the shot
heard round the world."
Today, the farmer is still embattled. Today's telling
shots are not from guns, but from grain, not from pistols,
but from productivity. The minuteman of 1976 is the man
who drives the tractors in your fields. Two hundred years
have passed, but you remain central to America's future
and America's freedom.
Thank you very much.
#
#
#
#
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 1976
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
MEMORANDUM FOR:
Secretary of State
Secretary of the Treasury
Secretary of Agriculture
Secretary of Commerce
Chairman of the Council of
Economic Advisers
Director of the Office of Management
and Budget
Assistant to the President for
Domestic Affairs
Assistant to the President for
Economic Affairs
Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs
Special Assistant to the President
for Consumer Affairs
Acting Executive Director of the Council
on International Economic Policy
SUBJECT:
Establishment of Agricultural
Policy Committee
This memorandum is to advise you of a recent agricultural
policy making reorganization within my Administration.
I am creating a new Agricultural Policy Committee. Each of
you is being designated as a member of this Committee, with
Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz serving as Chairman.
This new Committee consolidates agricultural policy making
into one group, which will advise me on the formulation,
coordination and implementation of all food and agricultural
policy. The scope of the Committee includes both domestic
and international food and agricultural issues.
As you know, I am deeply interested in the many food and
agricultural policy issues which face our Nation and the world.
I view this new Committee as the appropriate mechanism for
dealing with these issues. It is my hope that your active
participation in this Committee and the full support of your
departments and agencies will lead to the success of this
important new Committee in resolving the many significant
issues of food and agricultural policy.
GERALD R. FORD
###
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Prepare reply
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For your information
FIVE
See remarks below
FROM Fitzhugh Thomas (EF) In Thank DATE 3/29/76
REMARKS
*Ken:
Feltner would prefer Alt. #2 (our recommendation), but he
indicated that Knebel is calling the shots on grain
inspection.
Eric
Director:
- Haven't been able to contact Jack Kne bel -Ag underSec.
on where stands.
KenGlozer
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EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
STATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
March 29, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: Grain Inspection and Weighing
The House Agriculture. Committee is about to report a bill
(H.R. 12572) providing for a Federal-State primary grain
inspection and supervision of weighing of grain system
for export port locations. The Administration's bill
(H.R. 9467) basically is a continuation of the current
system.
We need to determine an Administration position on
H.R. 12572 since the Rules Committee will be acting on
the bill shortly. In this connection, note the
President's statement of March 5 at Springfield, Illinois
(attached).
The major differences between the House Committee bill and
the Administration's bill are:
- The Committee bill would not permit private agencies
to conduct export inspections; must be Federal or State
and likely would be primarily Federal.
- Committee bill would involve the Federal Government in
supervising and certifying weighing of grain.
- Federal employment would be about 1,500 more under the
Committee bill.
- Federal costs (net) under the Committee bill would
amount to about $12M; under the Administration's bill
the annual cost would be only $1M.
We understand that once H.R. 12572 is reported by the
Committee that it is likely that amendments will be
offered from the floor of the House to make it a full
Federal system at export ports rather than a Federal/State
system.
2
Alternatives:
1. Oppose the Committee bill and insist on Administration
No
bill (H.R. 9467)
2. Indicate that we prefer H.R. 9467 but would not object
Good
to the Committee bill.
3. Indicate that we would support the Committee bill if it
who
were modified to:
a) permit the use of private firms in export inspec-
tions (as per H.R. 9467) and
Hear mm will
b) limit the Federal role in weighing to reimbursable
supervision of State and private entities.
anera.
Recommendation:
We believe that the alternative to select is largely one
of strategy - which one would minimize our losses?
Since there is strong pressure for a full Federal system
(and little support for the Administration's bill) we
believe that the Administration's support of the Committee
bill has the best chance of heading off a full Federal
system.
Thus, we recommend alternative #2 - indicate preference for
the Administration's bill but no objection to Committee
bill.
Decision:
fight
Oppose Committee bill.
[]
No objection to Committee bill.
Carts point
Support Committee bill if modified.
See me.
notyhugh Thomas
Fitzhugh Thomas
Agriculture Branch
Energy & Food Division
Attachments
FORD & GERALD LIBRARY
344
Q. President Ford, I am from Coles County, a farmer
worth of machinery and
and livestock man. I would like to say thank you for Sec-
pay $172,000 worth of inheritance tax, plus $20,000
retary Butz. I am director of the Illinois Corn Growers
to an attorney. This is an actual case I am interested in.
Association, and we think he has certainly spoken out for
THE PRESIDENT. It seems to me that someone like
us and we have a much better image as farmers. And he
yourself or a person representing that viewpoint and that
tells it as it is, as they say.
practical problem ought to go down and testify before
My question would be, what about our grain export
the House Committee on Ways and Means and lay it
grain inspection down at New Orleans? What are you
out to them.
thinking of doing to correct this situation? We produce
Q. I would be delighted to.
some mighty fine corn here in Illinois and we run it
Q. Mr. President, I am a farmer here in Sangamon
through our cleaners and our combines and screen it and
County. Would you expand a little on the reason for the
then we get it down there in New Orleans and they dump
appointment of Secretary Butz to the new position. And
trash in it. So what are you thinking about doing down
does this mean that there is a possibility of someone other
there?
than the Secretary of Agriculture assuming this task at
THE PRESIDENT. First, let me say I never saw anybody
some future time?
from Indiana who got people from Illinois and Michigan
THE PRESIDENT. The Secretary of Agriculture was put
to praise him as much as we have Earl Butz here today.
in charge of this committee because we are in the process
[Laughter] He must be a pretty good man.
of reorganizing the internal administration of the West
11
Q. He certainly is.
Wing in the White House. And I have felt that this par-
THE PRESIDENT. Under the present law, the Depart-
ticular subject was so vital that we ought to take it out
ment of Agriculture does not have the specific authority
from underneath the coverage of what we call the Eco-
to go in there and perform the inspection itself. These
nomic Policy Board where it was. And so it has been
grain scandals in New Orleans have been indefensible. As
hauled out of the Economic Policy Board and made a
I recall, there have been 70-some indictments, 50-some
separate economic policy committee as far as food is con-
convictions. Almost every day it seems like there have
cerned. As far as I am concerned, the Secretary of
been some convictions. Obviously, something has to be
Agriculture, as long as he stays with me and as long as I
done to change a system that has rotted as that one has.
am President, will be chairman of that group.
Now we have a proposal before the Congress. There
Q. Mr. President, I am presently a college student, and
are several other propcsals that have come from Members
I am studying business administration. I would like to
of Congress. The Committee on Agriculture is having a
meeting-next week is it. The bill, according to Paul and
know what the Federal Government is going to do to
reduce spending because if we, the people of this United
the Secretary, is being marked up today. There are any
States, ran our businesses like the Federal Government
one of several options. We think the one that the Secre-
does, we would be broke.
tary proposed is the best, but, obviously, we cannot toler-
ate the condition that exists down there at the present
THE PRESIDENT. I could not agree with you more. And
time. And if the Congress sends me a good bill that will
let me illustrate what I am trying to do and I think all
change the bad law we now have, I will darn soon sign it.
of these Members of Congress here are trying to do. But
Q. Mr. President, I have a small farm in Menard
I can just tell you what I did in the preparation of the
County, and I am interested in keeping it in my family.
budget for the next fiscal year. In putting the Federal
Is there consideration given to actual income worth of
budget together for the next fiscal year, I found this to be
property rather than our spiraling inflation values for
the case. If we did not change the law, we would have =
this base of inheritance tax. There is certainly a difference.
$50 billion increase in Federal spending in a 12-month
THE PRESIDENT. Would you state that again, please?
period.
Q. Are they considering using the actual income worth
It would have gone from roughly $370 billion for the
of the crop off the land rather than spiraling inflationary
current fiscal year to $420-some billion in the next fiscal
real estate sales for evaluation of property?
year. That is without a new law or without any change
THE PRESIDENT. Well I had always assumed that the
in existing law, just because of cost escalations.
value of the property related to the productivity of a
We have had about an 11 percent increase in Feder
particular picce of property as far as the establishment of
spending each year for the last 10 years. The net result
the value for inheritance or estate tax purposes.
Federal spending has escalated, skyrocketed, so in
Q. For instance, a piece of property has just sold for
preparation of the budget for the next fiscal year I
$3,000 an acre within about 12 miles of Springfield, 80
we had to cut that increase in Federal spending by
acres. There is no way that you can have an income of
half, and so I submitted instead of a $420-some L
$3,000 an acre from that land. There is no way that a
budget for next year in expenditures a budget of
woman who has 250 acres valued today by the appraiser
billion. That is still an increase, but it is half of the
for her inheritance tax at $520,000, and owning $75,000
that was expected if no laws were changed.
Volume 12-Number 11
LERALD FORD FIBR,
Attachment
H.R. 12572 (Likely Committee Bill)
H.R. 9467 (Admin. Bill)
Port Inspection & Weighing:
Provides for a Federal grain inspection
Relies on State and private agencies for
and weighing system at export port
primary inspection of grain with con-
locations with authority in the Secretary
siderable Federal supervision and 100%
to delegate such to States, subject to
Federal appeal inspections. Provides
revocation by the Secretary without a
interim authority for Federal inspection
hearing. Authorizes the Secretary to
until responsible agencies can be desig-
utilize Federal-State-private resources
nated to fill voids in cases of dedesig-
to conduct the actual weighing and certi-
nation.
fication of weights and the inspection and
testing of scales.
Relies on current system of public
(non-Federal)/private for weighing of
grain.
Nonexport Inspection:
The Secretary is authorized to designate
Continues current system of licensing
State or private agencies to conduct
State/private agencies for grain inspec-
official inspections of grain (other than
tion with some Federal supervision at
appeal inspections) at other than export
other than export port locations.
port locations.
Study of Weighing:
Authorizes Secretary to study weighing of
None authorized.
grain, certification of weights, and the
inspection and testing of scales at both
export port elevators and other than export
port elevators and to report the results to
the House and Senate substantive committees
on agriculture within 12 months and with
any legislative recommendations for
strengthening the new system.
Conflicts of Interest:
Boards of trade, chambers of commerce, and
A somewhat stronger position on conflict
grain exchanges would be permitted to
of interest. No person may be designated
perform grain inspection and weighing
an inspection agency that has a conflict
functions at other than export port
of interest prohibited by Sec. 11; and, in
locations if the Secretary determines that
Sec. 11, that no inspection agency or
any such conflicts of interest is not such
officer, stockholder, or employee shall be
as to jeopardize the integrity or effec-
employed by or financially interested in a
tive operation of the functions performed
grain warehousing or merchandising busi-
by the agency.
ness.
2
H.R. 12572 (Likely Committee Bill)
H.R. 9467 (Admin. Bill)
Employment:
Est. total Federal - 1,971 WY
Est. total Federal - 469 WY
Est. total non-Federal - 2,570 WY
Est. total non-Federal - 2,800 WY
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 5, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PAUL LEACH
FROM:
CHARLES LEPPERT, JR.
CLp
SUBJECT:
H.R. 11743, National Agricultural
Research Policy Committee
Re your memorandum to me dated March 15, 1976 (copy attached),
please contact Hyde Murray of the House Agriculture Committee
and Tom Adams of Rep. Bill Wampler's office, and discuss this
with them.
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 15, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
CHARLIE LEPPERT
FROM:
PAUL LEACH
Paul
SUBJECT:
H.R. 11743, National Agricultural
Research Policy Committee
This matter is one where OMB and USDA have been working
quite closely. The main problem is a possible massive
increase in dollars.
The latest proposed "compromise" I have seen makes the
following major changes in H.R. 11743:
1. Places greater emphasis on evaluation of present
research programs.
2. Alters H.R. 10133, the bill to upgrade the position
of Under Secretary, so as to increase the number of
new USDA Assistant Secretaries from 2 to 3, but to
retain Secretarial discretion as to their responsibilities
(i.e., no specific authorization of an Assistant
Secretary for research matters) and eliminates
reference to this in H.R. 11743.
3. Establishes a National Agricultural Research Policy
Advisory Committee, which is advisory not policy making
in function.
4. Changes the composition of the Committee to give the
Secretary more discretion.
5. Deletes Sec. 4 - Agricultural Research Adviser.
6. Establishes only one new competitive grant program for
fundamental agricultural research and limits projects
to those which meet National Research Objectives
established by the Secretary (i.e., merges Secs. 6 & 7
into one grant program).
-2-
7. Limits funding for these new grants to a total of
$75 million for three fiscal years 1977-1979 (as
opposed to $400 million in Sec. 8).
8. Provides no new funding authorizations for existing
research programs (i.e., eliminates Sec. 9).
Let's discuss this on the phone when you have a chance.
94TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 11743
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 5, 1976
Mr. WAMPLER (for himself, Mr. FOLEY, Mr. DE LA Garza, Mr. VIGORITO, Mr.
JONES of North Carolina, Mr. MELCHER, Mr. BOWEN, Mr. WEAVER, Mr.
BALDUS, Mr. McHuGH, Mr. JENRETTE, Mr. THORNTON, Mr. SEBELIUS, Mr.
FINDLEY, Mr. THONE, Mr. SYMMS, Mr. JOHNSON of Colorado, Mr. MADIGAN,
Mr. PEYSER, Mrs. HECKLER of Massachusetts, Mr. JEFFORDS, Mr. KELLY,
Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. HAGEDORN, and Mr. MOORE) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
A
BILL
To establish a National Agricultural Research Policy Committee,
and for other purposes.
1
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3
SHORT TITLE
4
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "National
5 Agricultural Research Policy Act of 1976".
6
FINDINGS AND PURPOSES
7
SEC. 2. (a) The Congress finds that-
8
(1) agricultural research is vital to the Nation's
GERALD P. FORD
9
well-being;
I
2
1
(2) the projected increase in the population of the
2
United States, together with the worldwide population
3
expansion, places increasing demands on ágricultural
4
production in the United States;
5
(3) agriculture and agricultural production are a
6
national resource and should be supported by a strong
7
system of agriculturally related research;
8
(4) seeking means and methods to lower the cost
9
of food and fiber production is essential to the preserva-
10
tion of the family farm system in this country;
11
(5) expanding exports of agricultural commodities
12
is essential for maintaining a positive balance of pay-
13
ments in international trade;
14
(6) the public wants the plentiful supplies of qual-
15
ity agricultural products that can bring consumer ex-
16
penditures on food to a lower portion of total income;
17
(7) agricultural research costs have risen more
18
rapidly than appropriations for agricultural research;
19
(8) various factors such as energy, the environ-
20
ment, and social, political, and economic considerations
21
should be incorporated into agricultural research man-
22
agement planning activities;
23
(9) the level of Federal support for agricultural re-
24
GERALD
search, conducted by the United States Department of
3
1
Agriculture, State agricultural experiment stations, and
2
State colleges and universities engaged in agricultural
3
research and the training of agricultural research engi-
4
neers and scientists, should be substantially increased;
5
and
6
(10) it is important to assure that the results of
7
agricultural research be effectively communicated to
8
farmers and all others who can benefit from it.
9
(b) The purposes of this Act are-
10
(1) to emphasize agricultural research as a distinct
11
mission of the United States Department of Agriculture;
12
(2) to be certain that all agricultural research is
13
effectively coordinated; and
14
(3) to provide a mechanism for identifying the Na-
15
tion's highest priority problems for agricultural research.
16
COORDINATION OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
17
SEC. 3. (a) In addition to the Assistant Secretaries of
18 Agriculture now provided for by law, there shall be one
19 additional Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, who shall be
20 appointed by the President, by and with the advice and con-
21 sent of the Senate, and who shall be responsible for agricul-
22 tural research activities of the Department of Agriculture.
23
(b) Section 5315 (11) of title 5, United States Code,
24 is amended to read as follows:
GERALD R. FORD
4
1
(11) Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture (5)
2
(c) The individual appointed pursuant to subsection
3 (a) of this section shall-
4
(1) coordinate all research, and disseminate all
5
research information, relating to agriculture, food pro-
6
duction, and nutrition conducted or financed by or
7
affiliated with the United States Department of
8
Agriculture;
9
(2) keep abreast of developments in, and the
10
Nation's needs for, agricultural research and represent
11
the needs of such research in deliberations in the United
12
States Department of Agriculture;
13
(3) provide information exchange and coordination
14
among the diverse research programs;
15
(4) serve as co-chairman of the National Agricul-
16
tural Research Policy Committee established pursuant
17
to section 5 of this Act; and
18
(5) perform other duties as determined from time
19
to time by the Secretary of Agriculture.
20
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ADVISER
21
SEC. 4. (a) The Secretary of Agriculture shall appoint
22 a scientist to serve in the Office of the Secretary and report
23 to the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture who is responsible
FOR s 03RALD LIBRAR
24 for agricultural research. Such individual shall receive com-
25 pensation at a level no less than level 16 of the General
5
1 Schedule and shall be appointed on a noncareer executive
2 assignment basis.
3
(b) The individual appointed pursuant to subsection
4 (a) of this section shall-
5
(1) serve as Executive Secretary of, and provide
6
staff support for, the National Agricultural Research
7
Policy Committee established pursuant to section 5 of
8
this Act;
9
(2) be an adviser to the Assistant Secretary respon-
10
sible for agricultural research; and
11
(3) perform other duties as determined from time
12
to time by the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture re-
13
sponsible for agricultural research activities of the
14
Department.
15
(c) Such individual shall be provided a staff of special-
16 ists to assist him in carrying out his functions. Such staff shall
17 be appointed pursuant to the provisions of title 5, United
18 States Code, governing appointments in the competitive
19 service.
20 ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
21
POLICY COMMITTEE
22
SEC. 5. (a) There is established within the United
23 States Department of Agriculture a permanent committee to
24 be known as the National Agricultural Research Policy
LIBRARY GERALD ? FORD
25 Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee").
11742
I
6
(b) The Committee shall consist of fifteen members ap-
1
2 pointed by the Secretary of Agriculture as follows:
3
(1) two representatives from the United States
4
Department of Agriculture, one from the Agricultural
5
Research Service and one from the Cooperative State
6
Research Service;
7
(2) one representative from each of the following
8
organizations upon the recommendation of the head of
9
such organization:
10
(A) the Board of Agriculture and Renewable
11
Resources, National Academy of Sciences;
12
(B) the Experiment Station Committee on
13
Organization and Policy of the National Association
14
of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges,
15
Division of Agriculture;
16
(C) the National Science Foundation;
17
(D) the Office of Technology Assessment of
18
the Congress of the United States;
19
(E) the Environmental Protection Agency;
20
and
21
(F) the Food and Drug Administration,
22
United States Department of Health, Education,
23
and Welfare; and
LISARA GERALD
24
(3) seven representatives from the following types
25
of organizations, as designated by the Secretary, upon
7
1
the recommendation of the head of the respective
2
organization:
3
(A) two from national farm organizations;
4
(B) two from agricultural trade associations;
5
(C) one from a national environmental or-
6
ganization;
7
(D) one from a national veterinary medical
8
association; and
9
(E) one from a national consumer organization.
10
(c) The Committee's responsibilities shall include, but
11
not be limited to-
12
(1) reviewing programs, policies, and goals of
13
agricultural research agencies of the Department of
14
Agriculture and the agricultural research portions of
15
programs in other agencies having primary missions out-
16
side of such Department;
17
(2) providing a forum for research sponsoring agen-
18
cies to exchange information on plans and programs
19
related to agriculture;
20
(3) establishing and developing national policies,
21
priorities, and strategies for agricultural research for
22
both the short and the long term for consideration by
23
the Department of Agriculture and other agencies, and
24
institutions conducting agricultural research; and
LIBRARY GERALD ? FORM
8
1
(4) reviewing and making recommendations to the
2
Secretary of Agriculture with regard to applications for
3
funding of research pursuant to sections 6 and 7 of this
4
Act.
5
(d) For purposes of this Act, the term "agricultural
6 research" shall include, but not be limited to, those activi-
7 ties described in section 1 of the Act of June 29, 1935 (49
8 Stat 436).
9
(e) While away from their homes or regular places of
10 business in the performance of services for the Committee,
11 members of the Committee shall be allowed travel expenses.
12 including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with
13 applicable laws.
14
(f) In the event a vacancy should occur on the Com-
15 mittee it shall be filled in the same manner as provided in
16 subsection (b) of this section.
17
(g) No later than January 31 of each year, the Com-
18
mittee shall submit a report on its activities during the
19 preceding fiscal year to the House Committee on Agricul-
20 ture, the House Committee on Appropriations, the Senate
21 Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, and the Senate
22 Committee on Appropriations. The first report shall be due
23 following the first complete fiscal year after the enactment
VISIT GERALD
24 of this Act.
9
1
GRANTS FOR MISSION-ORIENTED RESEARCH
2
SEC. 6. (a) In addition to any other grants made
3 under Federal law, the Secretary of Agriculture is author-
4 ized to make grants to land grant colleges and universities
5 eligible for assistance under the Acts of July 2, 1862
6 (commonly known as the First Morrill Act), and of
7 August 30, 1890 (commonly known as the Second Morrill
8 Act), the Tuskegee Institute, and to State agricultural
9 experiment stations eligible for assistance under the Act of
10 March 2, 1887 (commonly known as the Hatch Act), to
11 carry out mission-oriented basic agricultural research. These
12 grants shall be made without regard to matching funds
13 being provided by the States in which the recipients are
14 located. All applications for funding pursuant to this section
15 shall, prior to approval, be submitted by the Secretary of
16 Agriculture to the Committee established by section 5 of
17 this Act for review and recommendation.
18
(b) For purposes of this Act, the term "mission-
19 oriented basic agricultural research" means agriculturally
20 related research on fundamental science topics with regard
21 to which-
22
(1) there is a basic need already in existence for
23
the new knowledge that would be generated by this
LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD
24
research;
10
1
(2) the research has a strong potential to be of
2
benefit to mankind; and
3
(3) the research deals with more than an unproven
4
concept.
5
COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM
6
SEC. 7. In addition to any other grants made under Fed-
7 eral law, the Secretary of Agriculture is further authorized
8 to make grants, on a competitive basis, to Federal agencies,
9 research institutions, organizations, and individuals for the
10 purpose of carrying out agricultural and food research. These
11 grants shall be made without regard to matching funds being
12 provided by the States in which the recipients are located.
13 All applications for funding pursuant to this section shall,
14 prior to approval, be submitted by the Secretary of Agricul-
15 ture to the Committee established by section 5 of this Act
16 for review and recommendation.
17
AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
18
SEC. 8. There are authorized to be appropriated for the
19 purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Act $50,-
20 000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1977,
21 $100,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978,
22 and $250,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30,
-
FORDS
23 1979.
GERALD
11
1
RECOMMENDATION FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING OF
2
EXISTING PROGRAMS
3
SEC. 9. It is the sense of the Congress that Federal
4 funding for agricultural research programs existing on the
5 date of enactment of this Act should be increased by $250,-
6 000,000 annually.
LIBRARY GERALD R. FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
July 9, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MAX FRIEDERSDORF
FROM:
CHARLES LEPPERT, JR
CL.
SUBJECT:
HR-14237, Agriculture
Appropriations Act of FY 77
Hyde Murray called to offer his advice on the rumor
circulating that the President is being advised to veto the
FY 77 Agricultural Appropriation bill. Murray says a veto
would be a very dumb move the agricultural community.
Hyde says that the President should not veto the bill because:
1. The bill passed the House by a large vote on
June 16, 1976 by a vote of 377 - 26. The
conference report passed the House on June 29,
1976 by a vote of 372 -- 27.
2. The President shouldn't be advised to veto this bill
in the summer of an election year when he already
has had serious problems in the farm community.
3.
The bill contains the exact amount requested by
the President for the food stamp program (4. 8
billion) in his budget submitted to the Congress
in January, 1976.
Pres requested Sec of Ag & Commerce to review situation
and take appropriate action
Cong Signinis Imith
hancy gave to Barbara
me mann on 7/28 [1976]
at 9:30
The Foreign Trade Zones Board announced today that it will determine
within 30 days whether foreign meat being processed in the Foreign-Trade
Zone at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico is detrimental to the public interest. The
Board ordered an investigation by its Committee of Alternates and invited
the packing companies involved to show cause within 15 days why the Board
should not limit or exclude the processing of foreign meat which comes
under United States import quotas.
The action follows a request earlier this month from the Department of
Agriculture which asked the Board to investigate whether Australian and
New Zealand meat being processed in Mayaguez circumvents the import quotas
on fresh, chilled or frozen beef or veal. The Department pointed out that
imports of imported fresh, chilled, or frozen processed beef and veal had
increased substantially this year and that there are plans to expand the
processing facilities in Mayaguez.
The USDA pointed out that the Mayaguez processing changes the form of
the meat so that it does not come under the export restraint program
negotiated with supplying countries. In order to avoid quotas the Depart-
ment of State is negotiating voluntary restraint agreements consistent with
our obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The
USDA said that limitations on meat imports are needed to allow the domestic
livestock industry to recover from low returns over the last two and-a-half
years.
The Board said today that it intends to reach a decision in 30 days.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
Pres requested Sec of Ag & Commerce to review situation
and take appropriate action
Cong. me Collister
Vera game to
Cong. at 9:30- 7/28
[1976]
The Foreign Trade Zones Board announced today that it will determine
within 30 days whether foreign meat being processed in the Foreign-Trade
Zone at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico is detrimental to the public interest. The
Board ordered an investigation by its Committee of Alternates and invited
the packing companies involved to show cause within 15 days why the Board
should not limit or exclude the processing of foreign meat which comes
under United States import quotas.
/
The action follows a request earlier this month from the Department of
Agriculture which asked the Board to investigate whether Australian and
New Zealand meat being processed in Mayaguez circumvents the import quotas
on fresh, chilled or frozen beef or veal. The Department pointed out that
imports of imported fresh, chilled, or frozen processed beef and veal had
increased substantially this year and that there are plans to expand the
processing facilities in Mayaguez.
The USDA pointed out that the Mayaguez processing changes the form of
the meat so that it does not come under the export restraint program
negotiated with supplying countries. In order to avoid quotas the Depart-
ment of State is negotiating voluntary restraint agreements consistent with
our obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The
USDA said that limitations on meat imports are needed to allow the domestic
livestock industry to recover from low returns over the last two and-a-half
years.
The Board said today that it intends to reach a decision in 30 days.
FORD is LIBRAR 07683