(a) conducting research and development on extraction and processing techniques;
(b) economic analysis of the production of native latex, including usable byproducts;
(c) studying the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the commercial development of native latex;
(d) evaluating the commercial marketability of Parthenium and rubber derived from other hydrocarbon-containing plants;
(e) further refining present extraction and manufacturing technologies and future extraction and manufacturing technologies, including technologies which utilize solar energy;
(f) developing pertinent material and records on manufacturing of natural rubber which shall be available to other Federal and State agencies and private persons who are interested in or involved in natural rubber development, or manufacture; and
(g) to the extent appropriate, carrying out research activities with respect to native agricultural crops (other than Parthenium and other hydrocarbon-containing plants) that would supply critical agricultural materials for strategic and industrial purposes, in the manner specified in clauses (a) through (f).
Structure US Code
CHAPTER 8A— RUBBER AND OTHER CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS
SUBCHAPTER II— CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS
§ 178. Congressional findings and declaration of policy
§ 178b. Joint Commission on Research and Development of Critical Agricultural Materials
§ 178c. Research and development program by Secretary of Agriculture
§ 178d. Research and development program by Secretary of Commerce
§ 178e. Cooperative projects with Mexico, Australia, and Israel
§ 178f. Assistance from States and public agencies; contracts and agreements
§ 178g. Powers of Secretary of Agriculture
§ 178h. Powers of Secretary of Commerce
§ 178i. Coordination of activities with Federal agencies
§ 178j. Laws governing inventions under this subchapter
§ 178k. Disposition of byproducts and strategic and industrially important products