The Committee will conduct a series of hearings to review the impact of the National Forest Management Act (NFMA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and other applicable laws on the Forest Service's multiple use management of national forests.
The Committee will also focus on the management of the National Forest System, the structure of the Forest Service, and the Forest Service's changing role in administering national forest system lands for multiple-use public benefit.
AGRICULTURAL TRADE
The Committee will conduct oversight hearings on United States agricultural trade and the role of the Federal government in promoting exports and securing a more favorable export environment through the reduction of trade barriers. Areas and issues that will be examined include:
Oversight of: Administration's Agricultural Export Promotion Strategy; USDA's export programs (including Export Enhancement, Market Assistance, Export Credit Guarantees, and Foreign Market Development); and food assistance programs (including the Food Security Commodity Reserve and U.S. commitments under international agreements).
Monitoring USDA's implementation of trade agreements and related issues to ensure compliance of other countries' trade obligations:
the Uruguay Round of the General agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), including European Union (EU) issues such as the EU meat hormone ban; veterinary equivalency; rice and tariff-free quotas; EU crop subsidies; genetically modified organisms; and state trading enterprises.
issues relating to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), including: Canada's use of high tariffs for dairy, poultry, eggs, barley, and margarine products; tomato and avocado imports from Mexico; and Canadian exports of wheat, barley, and other agricultural commodities into the U.S.
harmonization of sanitary and phytosanitary standards ("SPS"), including those provided by international organizations setting such standards; the Administration's position regarding the use of international standards versus U.S. standards; and incorporation of new technologies and products into SPS standards.
Implementation of the trade title of the 1996 Farm Bill.
Implementation of the 1996 Farm Bill changes to P.L. 480, including: the authorization of entering into agreements with private entities; maximum administrative funding levels; the Farmer-to-Farmer Program; and expanded authority for sales on credit.
Extension of "fast track" authority.
Effects of expanding NAFTA for Chile and the accession of China and other countries to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION
The 1996 Farm Bill authorized federal programs in agricultural research, education, and extension through FY 1997. The Committee will review existing research authorities and take testimony from interested witnesses to determine the need for modifications of the authorities.
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
1996 Farm Bill: Title I (the Agricultural Market Transition Act--"AMTA") of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the "1996 Farm Bill"), made substantial changes to the Federal agricultural commodity programs (wheat, feed grains, cotton, rice, oilseeds, peanuts, and sugar). The Committee (and Subcommittees) will be conducting oversight into the operation of AMTA on a commodity-by-commodity basis, including the planting flexibility provisions.
Welfare Reform: The Committee will hold hearings on the implementation of the provisions of welfare reform (the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act), which included significant changes to the food stamp program. USDA's Food and Consumer Service is responsible for overseeing implementation of these provisions by the states. The Committee will review the action of USDA and the states to evaluate the following issues:
Harmonization of welfare and food stamp programs by States.
Implementation of work requirement for able-bodied individuals.
States' use of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems to improve the distribution of food benefits.
Effectiveness of provisions designed to curb trafficking and fraud.
Adequacy of USDA data collection to support comprehensive evaluation of the impact of food stamp reforms.
Consolidation of food distribution programs to improve distribution and delivery of food.
Pesticide Regulatory Reform: In the 104th Congress the Committee, exercising its jurisdiction over the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), worked closely with the Commerce Committee to enact the "Food Quality Protection Act ("FQPA"). This was the first comprehensive pesticide reform legislation in nearly a decade. In addition to key policy reforms, FQPA requires all of the appropriate federal agencies to coordinate their activities to ensure consumer confidence in the U.S. food supply through efficient, science-based regulatory decisions. To that end, the Committee is closely monitoring implementation of FQPA and will be conducting the necessary oversight to ensure it is administered as Congress intended. The Committee anticipates that implementation of the FQPA will reveal additional pesticide regulatory issues that will be reviewed and evaluated as necessary.
CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
The 1996 Farm Bill made substantial changes to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), and other conservation provisions as well as authorizing a new $200 million/year Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The Committee will be conducting oversight of USDA's administration of these programs to ensure that Congressional intent is followed.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Commodity Exchange Act: In April of 1995, Congress extended authorization of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission through fiscal year 2000. Congress moved to expeditiously reauthorize CFTC with the understanding that additional oversight activities would be conducted during the reauthorization period. The Committee will conduct a series of hearings in the Spring to review reform of the Commodity Exchange Act, which governs commodity futures trading.
1996 Farm Bill Risk Management Provisions: The Committee will be conducting oversight activities of the risk management provisions of the 1994 Crop Insurance Reform Bill and the 1996 Farm Bill, including multi-peril crop insurance, crop revenue coverage, the noninsured assistance program, the options pilot program, and risk management education.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUTES AND RELATED ISSUES
The Committee will be conducting oversight into the effects on the agricultural sector of the following:
Coastal Zone Management Act.
Endangered Species Act.
Implementation of the recently-enacted Safe Drinking Water Act relative to regulation of agricultural and rural enterprise activities.
Effect of Clean Water Act regulations on agricultural activities and rural enterprises.
Clean Air Act, including EPA regulation of methyl bromide.
Involvement by USDA's Natural Resources and Conservation Service in the implementation of such laws.
Effect of environmental laws and regulations on private property rights.
ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY ISSUES
The Committee will be conducting necessary oversight activities in the following regulatory and administrative areas:
Agricultural Promotion Programs.
Food and Drug Administration regulation of tobacco.
Impact of the Occupational Safety and Health Act regulations on the agricultural sector and consumer prices, and the effectiveness of the H2A guestworker program with respect to agricultural labor.
Meat, poultry, and seafood safety inspection.
USDA Reorganization.
Implementation of Food Stamp Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system.
Prevention of waste, fraud, and abuse by USDA's Food and Consumer Service.
Reform of milk marketing orders.
In-depth oversight of all USDA agency operations, reorganization efforts, and management improvements (including impacts on client service), and implementation of the Government Performance and Results Act.
FARM CREDIT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, AND RURAL ECONOMY
The Committee will be conducting oversight in the following areas:
Effectiveness of the regulatory relief provided by the Farm Credit System Reform Act of 1996 to both the Farm Credit System and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (FarmerMac).
Effectiveness of the Farm Credit Administration as a regulator of the Farm Credit System to ensure safety and soundness of the system, including the future role of the Farm Credit System and its relation to the role of the commercial banking community.
Effectiveness of the reforms made to the loan and guaranteed loan programs in the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 and the 1996 Farm Bill, including oversight to ensure that these programs are being implemented as intended and what their effect is on the availability of, and equal access to, credit to agricultural producers.
Potential impacts of electrical industry deregulation on the Rural Utilities Service ability to serve rural electric cooperatives in providing electric service to rural communities and their ability to repay federal debt.
Oversight of USDA's administration of the Fund for Rural America (created by the 1996 Farm Bill) to ensure it is being implemented as intended.
In addition, the Committee will review and investigate general legislative, administrative, and regulatory issues affecting the jurisdiction of the Committee.