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Enhancing Controls on Dangerous Biological Agents and Toxins (7 USC Ch. 110)

Country/Territory
United States of America
Document type
Legislation
Date
2020
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Agricultural & rural development, Livestock, Environment gen., Cultivated plants, Wild species & ecosystems
Keyword
Biological control agents Classification/declassification Research Hazardous substances Animal health Pests/diseases Plant protection
Geographical area
Americas, Arctic, East Pacific, North America, North Atlantic
Abstract

This chapter provides for enhancing controls on dangerous biological agents and toxins. It declares that the Secretary of Agriculture shall by regulation establish and maintain a list of each biological agent and each toxin that the Secretary determines has the potential to pose a severe threat to animal or plant health, or to animal or plant products. In determining whether to include an agent or toxin on the list under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall (i) consider (I) the effect of exposure to the agent or toxin on animal or plant health, and on the production and marketability of animal or plant products; (II) the pathogenicity of the agent or the toxicity of the toxin and the methods by which the agent or toxin is transferred to animals or plants; (III) the availability and effectiveness of pharmacotherapies and prophylaxis to treat and prevent any illness caused by the agent or toxin; (IV)(aa) whether such inclusion would have a substantial negative impact on the research and development of solutions for the animal or plant disease caused by the agent or toxin; and (bb) whether the negative impact described in item (aa) would substantially outweigh the risk posed by the agent or toxin to animal or plant health if it is not included on the list; and (V) any other criteria that the Secretary considers appropriate to protect animal or plant health, or animal or plant products; and (ii) consult with appropriate Federal departments and agencies and with scientific experts representing appropriate professional groups. The Secretary shall review and republish the list under paragraph (1) biennially, or more often as needed, and shall by regulation revise the list as necessary in accordance with such paragraph. The chapter also provides that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall in accordance with this section coordinate activities regarding overlap agents and toxins.

Full text
English
Website
uscode.house.gov