
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: 7USC1765a]

 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
                 CHAPTER 43--FOREIGN MARKET DEVELOPMENT
 
         SUBCHAPTER II--UNITED STATES AGRICULTURAL TRADE OFFICES
 
Sec. 1765a. Agricultural Trade Offices


(a) Establishment

    For the purpose of developing, maintaining, and expanding 
international markets for United States agricultural commodities, the 
Secretary of Agriculture, after consultation with the Secretary of 
State, shall establish not less than six nor more than twenty-five 
United States Agricultural Trade Offices in other nations.

(b) Administration

    each \1\ United States Agricultural Trade Office shall be directed 
and administered by an Agricultural Trade Officer who by reason of 
training, experience, and attainments is qualified to carry out the 
purposes of this subchapter. Such Officer shall be appointed by the 
Secretary of Agriculture.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) Appointment and compensation of officers

    Each Agricultural Trade Officer may be appointed without regard to 
the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive 
service, and may be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5 relating to classification 
and General Schedule pay rates, except that no Agricultural Trade 
Officer (1) may be paid basic pay at a rate in excess of the maximum 
annual rate of basic pay payable for GS-17 of the General Schedule under 
section 5332 of such title, or (2) may be paid at a rate in excess of 
the highest rate paid to an Agricultural Counselor or Attache, as the 
case may be, who is appointed under subchapter I of this chapter to the 
nation in which such Officer is to serve.

(d) Transmittal of information

    Each Agricultural Trade Officer shall, through the Agricultural 
Counselor or Attache or other senior representative of the Secretary of 
Agriculture in each nation in which the United States Agricultural Trade 
Office administered by such Officer exercises its functions, keep the 
Chief of the United States diplomatic mission fully and currently 
informed with respect to all activities and operations of such Office.

(e) Office functions and activities

    Each Agricultural Trade Officer shall be responsible for the 
exercise of the functions of the United States Agricultural Trade 
Office, and shall have the authority to direct and supervise all 
personnel and activities thereof.

(f) Personnel; employment of local nationals

    To carry out the functions of United States Agricultural Trade 
Offices, the Secretary of Agriculture may appoint such other personnel 
as the Secretary determines to be necessary and may, with the 
concurrence of the Secretary of State, assign such personnel abroad and 
employ local nationals for necessary professional and clerical help.

(g) Conflicts of interest

    No employee of any United States Agricultural Trade Office may 
engage in any business, vocation, or other employment, or have other 
interests, that are inconsistent with official responsibilities.

(h) Diplomatic privileges and immunities

    Upon the request of the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of 
State shall request for Agricultural Trade Officers and personnel of 
United States Agricultural Trade Offices diplomatic privileges and 
immunities equivalent to those enjoyed by members of the Foreign Service 
of comparable rank and salary.

(Aug. 28, 1954, ch. 1041, title VI, Sec. 605A, as added Pub. L. 95-501, 
title IV, Sec. 401(1), Oct. 21, 1978, 92 Stat. 1688; amended Pub. L. 96-
465, title II, Sec. 2206(b)(1), Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2162.)

                       References in Text

    The provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive 
service, referred to in subsec. (c), are classified generally to section 
3301 et seq. of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.


                               Amendments

    1980--Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 96-465 substituted ``members of the 
Foreign Service'' for ``Foreign Service Personnel''.


                    Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

    Amendment by Pub. L. 96-465 effective Feb. 15, 1981, except as 
otherwise provided, see section 2403 of Pub. L. 96-465, set out as an 
Effective Date note under section 3901 of Title 22, Foreign Relations 
and Intercourse.


         References in Other Laws to GS-16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates

    References in laws to the rates of pay for GS-16, 17, or 18, or to 
maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered 
references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, 
Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, 
Sec. 101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101-509, set out in a note under section 5376 
of Title 5.
