Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 1.djvu/592

 112 STAT. 566 PUBLIC LAW 105-185-^JUNE 23, 1998 7 USC 7622. SEC. 402. PARTNERSHIPS FOR mGH-VALUE AGRICULTURAL PROD- UCT QUALITY RESEARCH. (a) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE PARTNERSHIP. —In this section, the term "eligible partnership" means a partnership consisting of a land-grant college or university and other entities specified in subsection (c)(1) that satisfies the eligibility criteria specified in subsection (c). (b) ESTABLISHMENT OF PARTNERSHIPS BY GRANT.— The Secretary of Agriculture may make competitive grants to an eligible partnership to coordinate and manage research and extension activities to ennance the quality of high-value agricultural products. (c) CRITERIA FOR AN ELIGIBLE PARTNERSHIP.— (1) PRIMARY INSTITUTIONS IN PARTNERSHip.The primary institution involved in an eligible partnership shall be a landgrant college or university, acting in partnership with other colleges or universities, nonprofit research and development entities, and Federal laboratories. (2) PRIORITIZATION OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES. —An eligible partnership shall prioritize research and extension activities in order to— (A) enhance the competitiveness of United States agricultural products; (B) increase exports of such products; and (C) substitute such products for imported products. (3) (COORDINATION.—An eligible partnership shall coordinate among the entities comprising the partnership the activities supported by the eligible partnership, including the provision of mechanisms for sharing resources between institutions and laboratories and the coordination of public and private sector partners to maximize cost-effectiveness. (d) TYPES OF RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES.— Research or extension supported by an eligible partnership may address the full spectrum of production, processing, packaging, trsmsportation, and marketing issues related to a high-value agricultural product. Such issues include— (1) environmentally responsible— (A) pest management alternatives and biotechnology; (B) sustainable farming methods; and (C) soil conservation and enhanced resource management; (2) genetic research to develop improved agricultural-based products; (3) refinement of field production practices and technology to improve queJity, yield, and production efficiencies; (4) processing and package technology to improve product quality, stability, or flavor intensity; (5) marketing research regarding consumer perceptions and preferences; (6) economic research, including industry characteristics, growlii, and competitive analysis; and (7) research to facilitate diversified, value-added enterprises in rural areas. (e) ELEMENTS OF GRANT MAKING PROCESS. — (1) PERIOD OF GRANT.—The Secretary may award a grant under this section for a period not to exceed 5 years. (2) PREFERENCES. —In making grants under this section, the Secretary shall provide a preference to proposals that—

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