Code of Federal Regulations Title 7 - Agriculture
Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is titled "Agriculture." It is one of 50 titles that comprise the CFR and contains the principal set of rules and regulations issued by various federal agencies regarding agriculture in the United States.
Scope and Content:
CFR Title 7 is incredibly broad, reflecting the vast scope of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its numerous agencies. It covers nearly every aspect of agriculture, food, and rural development. The regulations in Title 7 are designed to:
Support Farm Income and Stability: Through various commodity programs, crop insurance, and financial assistance.
Ensure Food Safety and Quality: Setting standards for production, processing, and labeling of agricultural products.
Promote Agricultural Markets: Facilitating domestic and international trade of U.S. agricultural goods.
Protect Natural Resources: Encouraging conservation practices on agricultural lands.
Address Food Security and Nutrition: Administering programs like food stamps (SNAP) and school meals.
Conduct Agricultural Research and Education: Funding and overseeing scientific advancements and extension services.
Protect Animal and Plant Health: Preventing the spread of diseases and pests.
Foster Rural Development: Providing loans and grants for infrastructure, housing, and business in rural areas.
Main Parts and Agencies Covered:
Title 7 is organized into many chapters, with each chapter typically corresponding to a specific agency or major program within the USDA. Some of the primary agencies and their areas of regulation include:
Office of the Secretary of Agriculture (Chapter 0): General administrative regulations, delegations of authority, debt management, nondiscrimination policies, and overarching departmental rules.
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) (Chapters I, VIII, IX, X, XI):
Standards, inspections, and marketing practices for various commodities (e.g., meat, poultry, dairy, fruits, vegetables, cotton, tobacco).
Marketing agreements and orders for specific commodities (e.g., milk, fruits, vegetables, nuts).
Organic standards and certification.
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL).
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) (Chapter II):
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps).
School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Child and Adult Care Food Program.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) (Chapter III):
Animal health regulations (e.g., disease control, animal welfare).
Plant health regulations (e.g., pest quarantines, import/export restrictions).
Biotechnology regulations.
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) (Chapter IV):
Regulations for the federal crop insurance program, which helps farmers manage financial risks associated with crop losses.
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) (Chapter V): Rules related to agricultural research activities.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) (Chapter VI):
Conservation programs and practices (e.g., Wetlands Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program).
Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation.
Farm Service Agency (FSA) (Chapter VII):
Farm loan programs (direct and guaranteed).
Commodity programs (e.g., price loss coverage, agriculture risk coverage).
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Disaster assistance programs for farmers and ranchers.
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) (Chapter XIV): Financial mechanisms and programs to stabilize farm income and prices.
Rural Development Agencies (Rural Housing Service (RHS), Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), Rural Utilities Service (RUS)) (Chapters XVII, XVIII, XLII, L):
Rural housing loans and grants.
Rural business development programs.
Rural utility infrastructure (e.g., water, wastewater, electric, telecommunications).
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) (Chapter XXXIV): Rules regarding agricultural research, education, and extension grants.
Forest Service (Chapter II, Subchapter A): While primarily under Title 36 (Parks, Forests, and Public Property), some aspects related to national forests and grasslands may appear here.
History:
The Code of Federal Regulations itself was established in 1938 to provide a systematic and comprehensive codification of all federal regulations. Title 7 has evolved significantly since then, mirroring the changes and expansions of federal agricultural policy over decades. Major legislation like the various "Farm Bills" periodically passed by Congress often lead to substantial updates and additions to the regulations found in Title 7, as the USDA implements the new statutory mandates.
How to Access:
You can access Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations through various official and unofficial sources:
When researching, it's always recommended to use the e-CFR for the most up-to-date information, as regulations are frequently amended.
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