(a) Authorization of appropriationsIn addition to amounts for agricultural research, extension, and education under this chapter, there are authorized to be appropriated for agricultural research, education, and extension activities for biosecurity planning and response—(1) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2013;
(2) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018; and
(3) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
(b) Use of fundsUsing any authority available to the Secretary, the Secretary shall use funds made available under this section to carry out agricultural research, education, and extension activities (including through competitive grants and cooperative agreements) for the following:(1) To reduce the vulnerability of the United States food and agricultural system to chemical or biological attack.
(2) To continue partnerships with institutions of higher education and other institutions to help form stable, long-term programs to enhance the biosecurity of the United States, including the coordination of the development, implementation, and enhancement of diverse capabilities for addressing threats to the Nation’s agricultural economy and food supply with special emphasis on planning, training, outreach, and research activities related to vulnerability analyses, incident response, and detection and prevention technologies.
(3) To award competitive grants and cooperative agreements to universities and qualified research institutions for research on counterbioterrorism.
(4) To counter or otherwise respond to chemical or biological attack.
(5) To coordinate the tactical science activities of the Research, Education, and Economics mission area of the Department that protect the integrity, reliability, sustainability, and profitability of the food and agricultural system of the United States against biosecurity threats from pests, diseases, contaminants, and disasters.