PUBLIC LAW 101-624—NOV. 28, 1990 104 STAT. 3777 (f) REPORT.— Not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Study Commission shall prepare and submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Agriculture and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Appropriations of the Senate, a report concerning the findings and recommendations developed under subsection (c). (g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—T here are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. SEC. 1675. NATIONAL CENTERS FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT QUALITY 7 USC 5928. RESEARCH. (a) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the national centers for agricultural product quality research shall be to— (1) serve as regional or commodity specific agricultural product quality research and education focal points involving one or more university and Federgd participants; (2) take advantage of opportunities, and establish linkages between universities and other entities with expertise, in basic biology and engineering, the development of new technology, the application of technolo^ to practice, and related quality assurance and regulatory activities; (3) develop and enhance explicit relationships (including the possible sharing of the cost of center operations) between the research and development community, the Department, and other Federal agencies, and with all aspects of the involved industries; (4) provide a mechanism for dealing with the safety and wholesomeness of new food products and processes that use biotechnology (including transgenic plants and animals); (5) provide factual public information about agricultural product quality and wholesomeness on a continuing basis; and (6) where appropriate, build on existing institutional strengths and commitments to address issues relating to agricultural product quality and wholesomeness and on demonstrated capability to effectively link with operational units of the Department, other Federal agencies, and private industry. (b) CHARACTERISTICS OF CENTERS. — (1) REGIONAL BASIS. —The centers shall be regional based units that conduct a broad spectrum of research, development, and education programs to assure the safety and wholesomeness of food through the prevention, detection, and modification of processes and products involved in the food chain that potentially compromise agricultural product quality and wholesomeness. (2) RESEARCH APPROACH. —The centers shall involve multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to the development of new knowledge and technology. The centers may include multi-institutional linkages between universities or related Federal laboratories. (3) MANAGEMENT.— The centers shall serve as a management focal point for grants that deal with agricultural product quality research, extension, and teaching, including the provision of mechanisms for sharing resources between cooperating institutions and laboratories.
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