
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC7656]

 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
   CHAPTER 103--AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION REFORM
 
                SUBCHAPTER III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
 
                             Part B--General
 
Sec. 7656. Designation of Crisis Management Team within 
        Department
        

(a) Designation of Crisis Management Team

    The Secretary of Agriculture shall designate a Crisis Management 
Team within the Department of Agriculture, which shall be--
        (1) composed of senior departmental personnel with strong 
    subject matter expertise selected from each relevant agency of the 
    Department; and
        (2) headed by a team leader with management and communications 
    skills.

(b) Duties of Crisis Management Team

    The Crisis Management Team shall be responsible for the following:
        (1) Developing a Department-wide crisis management plan, taking 
    into account similar plans developed by other government agencies 
    and other large organizations, and developing written procedures for 
    the implementation of the crisis management plan.
        (2) Conducting periodic reviews and revisions of the crisis 
    management plan and procedures developed under paragraph (1).
        (3) Ensuring compliance with crisis management procedures by 
    personnel of the Department and ensuring that appropriate Department 
    personnel are familiar with the crisis management plan and 
    procedures and are encouraged to bring information regarding crises 
    or potential crises to the attention of members of the Crisis 
    Management Team.
        (4) Coordinating the Department's information gathering and 
    dissemination activities concerning issues managed by the Crisis 
    Management Team.
        (5) Ensuring that Department spokespersons convey accurate, 
    timely, and scientifically sound information regarding crises or 
    potential crises that can be easily understood by the general 
    public.
        (6) Cooperating with, and coordinating among, other Federal 
    agencies, States, local governments, industry, and public interest 
    groups, Department activities regarding a crisis.

(c) Role in prioritizing certain research

    The Crisis Management Team shall cooperate with the Advisory Board 
in the prioritization of agricultural research conducted or funded by 
the Department regarding animal health, natural disasters, food safety, 
and other agricultural issues.

(d) Cooperative agreements

    The Secretary shall seek to enter into cooperative agreements with 
other Federal departments and agencies that have related programs or 
activities to help ensure consistent, accurate, and coordinated 
dissemination of information throughout the executive branch in the 
event of a crisis, such as, in the case of a threat to human health from 
food-borne pathogens, developing a rapid and coordinated response among 
the Department, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Food and Drug 
Administration.

(Pub. L. 105-185, title VI, Sec. 618, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 607.)
