(a) Reduction effortsTo the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary of Agriculture shall endeavor to reduce the backlog in the number of applications for permits for the export of United States agricultural commodities. In achieving such reduction, the Secretary shall not dilute or diminish existing personnel resources that are currently managing sanitary and phytosanitary issues for—(1) United States agricultural commodities for which exportation is sought; and
(2) interdiction and control of pests and diseases, including for the evaluation of pest and disease concerns of foreign agricultural commodities for which importation is sought.
(b) ReportThe Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate an annual report specifying, for the year covered by the report—(1) the total number of applications processed to completion;
(2) the number of backlog applications processed to completion;
(3) the percentage of backlog applications processed to completion; and
(4) the number of backlog applications remaining.
Structure US Code
SUBCHAPTER I— PLANT PROTECTION
§ 7711. Regulation of movement of plant pests
§ 7712a. Reduction in backlog of agricultural export petitions
§ 7713. Notification and holding requirements upon arrival
§ 7714. General remedial measures for new plant pests and noxious weeds
§ 7715. Declaration of extraordinary emergency and resulting authorities
§ 7716. Recovery of compensation for unauthorized activities
§ 7717. Control of grasshoppers and Mormon crickets
§ 7718. Certification for exports
§ 7720. National plan for control and management of Sudden Oak Death
§ 7721. Plant pest and disease management and disaster prevention