
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC1636f]

 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
     CHAPTER 38--DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
 
              SUBCHAPTER II--LIVESTOCK MANDATORY REPORTING
 
                         Part E--Administration
 
Sec. 1636f. Publication of information on retail purchase prices 
        for representative meat products
        

(a) In general

    Beginning not later than 90 days after October 22, 1999, the 
Secretary shall compile and publish at least monthly (weekly, if 
practicable) information on retail prices for representative food 
products made from beef, pork, chicken, turkey, veal, or lamb.

(b) Information

    The report published by the Secretary under subsection (a) of this 
section shall include--
        (1) information on retail prices for each representative food 
    product described in subsection (a) of this section; and
        (2) information on total sales quantity (in pounds and dollars) 
    for each representative food product.

(c) Meat Price Spreads Report

    During the period ending 2 years after the initial publication of 
the report required under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary 
shall continue to publish the Meat Price Spreads Report in the same 
manner as the Report was published before October 22, 1999.

(d) Information collection

                           (1) In general

        To ensure the accuracy of the reports required under subsection 
    (a) of this section, the Secretary shall obtain the information for 
    the reports from one or more sources including--
            (A) a consistently representative set of retail 
        transactions; and
            (B) both prices and sales quantities for the transactions.

                      (2) Source of information

        The Secretary may--
            (A) obtain the information from retailers or commercial 
        information sources; and
            (B) use valid statistical sampling procedures, if necessary.

                           (3) Adjustments

        In providing information on retail prices under this section, 
    the Secretary may make adjustments to take into account differences 
    in--
            (A) the geographic location of consumption;
            (B) the location of the principal source of supply;
            (C) distribution costs; and
            (D) such other factors as the Secretary determines reflect a 
        verifiable comparative retail price for a representative food 
        product.

(e) Administration

    The Secretary--
        (1) shall collect information under this section only on a 
    voluntary basis; and
        (2) shall not impose a penalty on a person for failure to 
    provide the information or otherwise compel a person to provide the 
    information.

(Aug. 14, 1946, ch. 966, title II, Sec. 257, as added Pub. L. 106-78, 
title IX, Sec. 911(2), Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat. 1204.)

                         Termination of Section

        For termination of section by section 942 of Pub. L. 106-78, see 
    Livestock Mandatory Reporting note set out under section 1635 of 
    this title.
