to the Department of Agriculture for research and education or from funds made available to the National Academy of Sciences from private sources to expand the scope of such study.

SEC. 1451. [7 U.S.C. 3173] Congress finds that

*

(1) nutrition and health considerations are important to United States agricultural policy;

(2) section 1405 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3121) designates the Department of Agriculture as the lead agency of the Federal Government for human nutrition research (except with respect to the biomedical aspects of human nutrition concerned with diagnosis or treatment of disease);

(3) section 1423 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 3173) requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish research into food and human nutrition as a separate and distinct mission of the Department of Agriculture;

(4) the Secretary has established a nutrition education program; and

(5) nutrition research continues to be of great importance to those involved in agricultural production.

[Section 1452 was repealed by section 872 of P.L. 104–127, 110 Stat. 1175.]

DIETARY ASSESSMENT AND STUDIES

SEC. 1453. [7 U.S.C. 3173_note] (a) The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall jointly conduct an assessment of existing scientific literature and research relating to

(1) the relationship between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol and human health and nutrition; and

(2) dietary calcium and its importance in human health and nutrition.

In conducting the assessments under this subsection, the Secretaries shall consult with agencies of the Federal Government involved in related research. On completion of such assessments, the Secretaries shall each recommend such further studies as the Secretaries consider useful.

(b) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall each submit to the House Committees on Agriculture and Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Labor and Human Resources a report that shall include the results of the assessments conducted under subsection (a) and recommendations made under such subsection, for more complete studies of the issues examined under such subsection, including a protocol, feasibility assessment, budget estimates and a timetable for such research as each Secretary shall consider appropriate.

6. COMPETITIVE, SPECIAL AND FACILITIES RESEARCH

GRANT ACT

[As Amended Through End of 104th Congress]

35-063 96-5

COMPETITIVE, SPECIAL AND FACILITIES RESEARCH GRANT ACT

Section 2 of the Act of August 4, 1965, Public Law 89-106, 7 U.S.C. 450i

SEC. 2. COMPETITIVE, SPECIAL, AND FACILITIES RESEARCH GRANTS. (a) ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM. (1) In order to promote research in food, agriculture, and related areas, a research grants program is hereby established in the Department of Agriculture.

(2) SHORT TITLE.-This section may be cited as the "Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act".

(b) COMPETITIVE GRANTS. (1) The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to make competitive grants, for periods not to exceed five years, to State agricultural experiment stations, all colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals, for research to further the programs of the Department of Agriculture. To the greatest extent possible the Secretary shall allocate these grants to high priority research taking into consideration, when available, the determinations made by the Joint Council on Food and Agricultural Sciences and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Users Advisory Board identifying high priority research areas.

(2) HIGH PRIORITY RESEARCH. For purposes of this subsection, the term "high priority research" means basic and applied research that focuses on both national and regional research needs (and methods to transfer such research to onfarm or inmarket practice) in

(A) plant systems, including plant genome structure and function; molecular and cellular genetics and plant biotechnology; plant-pest interactions and biocontrol systems; crop plant response to environmental stresses; unproved nutrient qualities of plant products; and new food and industrial uses of plant products;

(B) animal systems, including aquaculture, cellular and molecular basis of animal reproduction, growth, disease, and health; identification of genes responsible for improved production traits and resistance to disease; improved nutritional performance of animals; and improved nutrient qualities of animal products, and uses, and the development of new and improved animal husbandry and production systems that take into account production efficiency and animal well-being, and animal systems applicable to aquaculture;

(C) nutrition, food quality, and health, including microbial contaminants and pesticides residues related to human health; links between diet and health; bioavailability of nutrients;