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1 - 2001 & 2002 Performance Plan
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GOAL II: To Promote a Safe and Secure Food and Fiber System.
Funding by Program Activity ($000's) | FY 2000 | FY 2001 | FY 2002 |
Soil, Water & Air Sciences | 8,947 | 6,924 | 7,115 |
Plant Sciences | 151,050 | 173,136 | 174,625 |
Animal Sciences | 86,625 | 92,064 | 98,837 |
Commodity Conversion & Delivery | 73,796 | 82,658 | 83,640 |
Human Nutrition | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Integration of Agricultural Systems | 6,298 | 6,334 | 6,423 |
Total | $326,716 | $361,116 | $370,640 |
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FTEs | 3,226 | 3,393 | 3,379 |
Means and Strategies:
To successfully accomplish the research activities under this goal, ARS will need the level of human, fiscal, physical, and information resources portrayed in the budget estimates for fiscal years 2001 and 2002.In FY 2001, ARS received $21,786,800 in budgeted program increases for research in food safety, agricultural genetic resources, agricultural genomes, invasive species (weeds/pests), exotic diseases, and the Food Quality Protection Act.
The proposed funding for FY 2002 includes $19,282,000 in program increases. Funding includes increases for emerging and exotic diseases and pests of plants and animals, agricultural genomes/bioinformatic tools, biotechnology risk assessments and invasive species (weeds/pests).
Verification and Validation: ARS conducts a series of review processes designed to ensure the relevance and quality of its research work and to maintain the highest possible standards for its scientists. A more detailed description of the evaluation plans can be found in the introduction to this plan.
OBJECTIVE 2.1: Secure food and fiber system: "Maintain a safe and secure food and fiber system that meets the Nation•s needs now and in the future."
STRATEGY 2.1.1: Plant and animal production systems: Improve efficiency of agricultural production systems to ensure the security of the Nation's food, fiber, and energy supply.
PERFORMANCE GOAL 2.1.1.1: Demonstrate increases in productivity above current levels, using sustainable technologies. |
Indicators:
During FY 2001, ARS will
continue to transfer to the food and feed crop pollination industry new knowledge to enhance food production through improved pollination using native bees, e.g., blue orchard bees, sunflower leaf-cutting bees, and Southeastern blueberry bees.
continue to develop new and improved vaccines and immunomodulators for protection of animals against arthropod borne pathogens and reduction of diseases in animal populations resulting in increased animal productivity
provide recommendations regarding the use of old world bluestem grasses within native pastures in the Southern Plains.
provide workable solutions to the fescue toxicosis problem while developing methods to entirely eliminate losses which fall disproportionately on producers with limited resources.
PERFORMANCE GOAL 2.1.1.2: Demonstrate a more efficient and cost-effective use of resource inputs, while increasing productivity above current levels. |
Indicators:
During FY 2001,
ARS willproduce recommendations for the best way to provide supplements to calves grazing on bermuda grass in the South Central U.S.
determine the impact of cattle breed on performance in the Southeast and make recommendations for the small producers of that region.
produce recommendations for the best way to provide supplements to calves grazing in subtropical areas of the U.S.
During FY 2002, ARS will develop biological and engineering strategies to manage animals during extreme weather events to improve survival, health, and well-being and transfer the information to producers.
STRATEGY 2.1.2: Plant, animal, and ecosystems protection: Improve integrated management systems that contribute to the protection of plants, animals, and ecosystems against pests (insects, weeds, pathogens, etc.).
PERFORMANCE GOAL 2.1.2.1: Demonstrate new integrated technologies to protect plants, animals, and ecosystems. |
Indicators:
During FY 2001,
ARS willexpand a new project using areawide pest management for post-boll weevil eradication of pests such as the tarnished plant bug using new insecticidal chemicals, pheromone traps, natural enemies and other IPM practices in the Mid-South.
field test novel selective algicides to prevent algae-related off flavors in catfish ponds.
make control measures available for tall whitetop, an exotic invasive weed that threatens temperate desert rangelands in the Western U.S.
acquire and test in quarantine a biological control agent for yellow star thistle, a widespread weed that is infesting western rangeland.
develop improved methods for biological controls of invasive weeds on rangeland.
demonstrate new methods to reduce leafy spurge, an invasive weed, on rangeland in the Central Great Plains to enable the native species to reestablish.
In FY 2001, ARS received an increase of
$1,097,500 for control of weeds and insects.
$997,800 for areawide IPM programs demonstrating alternatives to at-risk pesticides.
$299,300 to develop new biological information and species discovery.
$299,300 to increase support of the USDA Office of Pest Management and Policy.
$399,100 for development of IPM component technology for fruits, vegetables, and other crops treated with organophosphates and carbamates, and for pests under large-scale action agency eradication or control programs.
$1,616,400 for supporting registration of minor use pesticides as alternatives to methyl bromide.
$274,400 to develop integrated weed management systems for invasive weeds such as purple loosestrife.
During FY 2002, ARS will
complete the demonstration of biologically-based integrated pest management (IPM)strategies to control fire ants in South Carolina.
complete the demonstration of the effectiveness of mosquito traps, Mosquito Magnets and Dragon Fly to monitor the West Nile Virus vectors in New York.
demonstrate the application of its ELISA test to distinguish screwworms from other blood-sucking flies.
develop improved understanding of pathogenesis and control of diseases caused by species of the fungus Sclerotinia.
describe the genetic variability, epidemiology, and ecology of diseases caused by Xylella species, including Pierce•s disease of grapes, and citrus, variegated chlorosis, almond leaf scorch, and others.
improve genetic resistance in soybean to the soybean cyst nematode. Transfer improved germplasm to seed producers.
develop improved detection and identification methods for viruses, bacteria, and fungi causing plant diseases. Emphasis will be on citrus canker, plum pox, bronze wilt to cotton, and soybean rust.
develop improved methods for control and management of disease losses in plants using improved cultural, chemical, and biological control systems and increased host plant resistance.
develop basic knowledge about the ecology, epidemiology, and genetic variability of plant pathogens to identify potential points of control.
continue to develop IPM components and systems as alternatives to pesticides that endanger human health and the environment.
continue development and expansion of areawide pest management programs demonstrating alternatives to at-risk and other environmentally hazardous pesticides.
continue to provide critical identifications of newly found pest species, provide severely needed taxonomic revisions of critical groups of insects, identify new natural control agents, and produce updated keys to agriculturally important insect groups.
use classical and augmentative biological control approaches, along with conserving natural enemies to suppress invasive insect pests and weeds with parasites, predators, and pathogens. This includes using ARS overseas laboratories to collect, evaluate, and ship new exotic biological control agents to ARS quarantine laboratories, and develop methods to conserve, mass produce, and deliver those that are beneficial.
determine pest and natural enemy (parasite, predator, and microbial) biologies (behavior, host range, interactions with plant signaling), persistence, and impact to improve use and establishment of natural enemies for biological control. This includes methods that employ remote-sensing or modeling.
develop methods for manipulating the genomes of insect pests and associated organisms (including genomic sequencing and developing methods for transferring genes into insect cells) to be used in biologically-based control strategies.
develop and demonstrate improved cultural, chemical, and biological control methods for control and management of soil-borne diseases.
develop and demonstrate improved methods for applying fumigants to minimize the hazard to workers and the general public.
develop biologically-based integrated weed management systems.
make control measures available for suppressing tall whitetop, an exotic invasive weed that threatens temperate desert rangelands in the Western United States.
acquire and test in quarantine a biological control agent for yellow star thistle, a widespread weed that is infesting Western rangeland.
develop improved methods for biological controls of invasive weeds on rangeland.
demonstrate new methods to reduce leafy spurge, an invasive weed, on rangeland in the Central Great Plains to enable the native species to reestablish.
develop alternative weed management systems for irrigated peanuts with less dependence on herbicides.
In FY 2002, ARS is requesting an increase of
$1,782,000 to rapidly identify, prevent, and control emerging and exotic plant diseases.
$800,000 to research systematics of invasive weeds and insects.
$1,600,000 to develop new biological information and species discovery.
$1,100,000 to develop integrated weed management systems.
$1,500,000 to formulate and deliver pathogens for biological control of insects and weeds.
PERFORMANCE GOAL 2.1.2.2: Demonstrate scientific measures, practices, and systems to achieve humane care of food animals. |
Indicators:
During FY 2001, ARS will
determine both chronic and acute pain associated with farm management practices (tail docking, beak trimming, induced molting) in conjunction with the expression or lack of expression of behavior response.
determine any association of management practices or transport of farm animals with predisposition of food safety concerns.
During FY 2002, ARS will devise practical approaches to prevent piglet hypothermia and improve survival within production settings.
complete evaluation of a swine growth model in a production setting using a respiration sensor to indicate stress.
STRATEGY 2.1.3: Germplasm resources and genomics: Acquire, preserve, evaluate, describe, and enhance genetic resources and develop new knowledge and technologies to increase the productive capacity and usefulness of plants, animals, and other organisms.
PERFORMANCE GOAL 2.1.3.1: Collections of well-documented germplasms of importance to U.S. agricultural security are readily available to scientists and breeders for research and development. |
Indicators:
During FY 2001,
ARS willidentify and characterize useful germplasm in wild relatives of cultivated fruit and vegetable crops and develop efficient means for incorporation of valuable traits of these unadapted species into the cultivated gene pool. Genetic resources are critical to maintain and improve sustainable fruit and vegetable crop production.
identify sugarbeet breeding lines resistant to root knot nematode, and distribute seed to sugarbeet breeders in the U.S. and abroad.
begin greenhouse (preharvest) and storage (postharvest) evaluation of transgenic crops (such as cottonseed) for antimicrobial disease resistant activities incorporated in them for protection of the seed against pre- and postharvest microbial pathogens.
begin incorporation of natural antifungal resistant mechanisms into commercial corn hybrids for protection from preharvest and postharvest attack by microbial pathogens, with the cooperation of ARS researchers.
develop superior quality lines of fruits and vegetables using genetic engineering with optimal characteristics for quality and shelf life.
collect wild types of white clover to develop populations adapted to the resource-poor Appalachian region.
develop tools for breeding trefoil to provide a legume for the acid-infertile soils of the humid East. This will benefit limited resource producers in the Southeast who need nitrogen fixing legumes that persist without the expense of soil amendments.
conduct approximately seven different foreign and domestic plant explorations to collect crop plant germplasm together with university and private sector partners. This germplasm will first be safeguarded in ARS genebanks and then distributed to plant scientists and breeders as sources of genes for resistance to environmental extremes, pests, and pathogens of potatoes, forage grasses, tropical fruits, and other crops.
release scores of more nutritious, more productive, healthier, disease-, toxin- and pest-free cultivars of grains, oilseeds, forages, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals with university and private sector partners. This new germplasm will continue to provide secure and safe food, feed, fiber, ornamentals, and industrial products to U.S. consumers.
During FY 2002, ARS will
develop wild alfalfa accessions from China as a possible cultivated crop and begin field evaluations for productivity and survivability.
complete the identification in Turkey of natural enemies of yellow star thistle, a major invasive weed, and ship promising species to the U.S. for quarantine evaluation.
identify threatened germplasm in natural habitats as well as in genebanks as a vital first step for conserving these genetic resources.
improve methods for preserving beneficial microbes, insects, and wild relatives of crops in natural habitats.
perfect methods for maintaining germplasm over long term under conditions (low temperature and/or controlled atmosphere) that ensure viability, health, genetic integrity, and uniformity, as well as providing a sufficient supply for research and breeding.
evaluate protocols for storing DNA or nuclei isolated from plant and insect cells.
develop methods for maintaining injurious microbial and insect germplasm in combination with the host plants they attack.
identify sources of new genetic variability and conduct genetic studies to detect novel genes for crop improvement.
develop more efficient and effective means for multiplying germplasm stored in genebanks and for monitoring its viability, health, and genetic content.
where appropriate, designate core subsets for crop collections to improve accessibility of the genetic diversity within each crop and their wild relatives.
PERFORMANCE GOAL 2.1.3.2: Documented DNA base sequences of agricultural importance. |
Indicators:
During FY 2001, ARS will
sequence the gene associated with susceptibility to ESC disease, a major disease of catfish.
complete the whole genomic sequencing of Arabidopsis (a small mustard plant) together with its university and private sector partners, supported by the joint U.S. (NSF, DOE, USDA), European, and Japanese sequencing consortium. Information about the detailed structure of Arabidopsis genes is already being used to identify similar or identical genes in major crops such as soybeans, maize, and canola that govern important traits such as disease and drought resistance, flowering and adaptation, etc. This new genomic knowledge thereby is accelerating the pace of discovery of agriculturally important genes and their incorporation into crops.
sequence key parts of several hundred genes in wheat and barley in cooperation with university and private sector partners. Information about the detailed structure of those genes, and similar or identical genes in Arabidopsis and other major crops such as soybeans, maize, and canola may elucidate the biological functioning of agriculturally important traits such as disease and drought resistance, flowering and adaptation, etc. This new genomic knowledge thereby is accelerating the pace of discovery of agriculturally important genes and their incorporation into crops
.develop the new USDA/ARS Center for crop genome databases and bioinformatics tools in continued partnership with Cornell University. As a result of multimillion dollar grants from the NSF and commodity groups, ARS research programs that maintain and develop genome databases for soybean and maize will greatly intensify genomic characterization and database efforts for these major crops. Furthermore, initial gene sequence data will be entered into genome databases to test prototype software tools for managing the vast quantities of data that will emerge from genomic sequencing studies.
develop or perfect novel gene transfer, promoter, site-specific recombination and tissue culture systems for several crops (e.g., barley, roses, potatoes) that should facilitate genetic transformation and thereby accelerate genetic improvement together with its university and private sector partners.
In FY 2001, ARS received an increase of
$449,000 to genomically characterize, manipulate, and improve plant and insect systems.
$748,300 for improving economically important traits in livestock and poultry.
During FY 2002, ARS will
evaluate and report on the results of transgenic modification of two alfalfa genes to improve growth, protein content, nitrogen fixation, and nitrogen utilization.
identify molecular genetic markers for cold temperature growth in Leymus wild ryes, salt tolerance in alfalfa, and apomictic behavior in sandberg bluestem so that populations can be screened to identify germplasm having these desired characteristics so that seedling vigor, productivity, and ground cover can be improved.
perfect and implement highly efficient methods for determining DNA sequence variability in genomes.
arrange in order expressed sequence-tagged sites (ESTs) in crop genomes, and discover their associated biological functions.
maintain genetic and genomic data on well conceived databases constructed with powerful, up-to-date information management software, and implemented on high speed, high capacity computer networks accessible via standard software from the Internet.
construct and maintain more precise physical, genetic, and transcript genomic maps to estimate the number of genes that constitute crop genomes, the genomic location of these genes, and to elucidate comparative gene function, structure, and organization.
distribute genomic probes and DNA primers as tools for more effectively mapping and identifying genes.
incorporate the most modern and effective methods of high volume gene sequencing, genetic mapping, gene expression assays, and related techniques into genomic research programs.
PERFORMANCE GOAL 2.1.3.3: Release of improved germplasm, varieties, and breeds based on effective use of genetic resources. |
Indicators:
During FY 2001, ARS will
utilize new gene transfer technologies together with conventional breeding systems to maximize efficiency in development of new fruits, vegetables, and sugar crops having improved pest resistance and fresh market and processing quality attributes. Enhanced quality and genetic resistance to disease and insects will reduce preharvest and postharvest chemical inputs. Candidate releases include new improved blueberry and sugarcane varieties, powdery mildew resistant sugarbeet breeding lines, lettuce selections resistant to lettuce mosaic and big vein diseases, and new carrot germplasm with disease resistance and improved flavor.
release an oat cultivar with a higher beta-glucan concentration than any currently in produced in collaboration with North Dakota State University.
release durum wheat germplasm carrying the waxy starch (low amylose) trait in collaboration, with North Dakota State University.
release two cultivars of red clover, two of birdsfoot trefoil, and one of kura.
release a new cultivar of a native plant species called bluebunch wheatgrass.
make available native Canadian Wildrye and Switchgrass cultivars developed from plant material collected on remnant Midwest prairies.
release five white clover cultivars with improved disease resistance for the Southeast U.S.
release improved bermuda grass and pearl millet germplasm for use in the Southeast U.S.
In FY 2001, ARS received an increase of
$3,562,200 for plant genetic resource acquisition and distribution, maintenance and characterization, and evaluation and enhancement.
$598,700 for genomics of pest resistance in wheat.
During FY 2002, ARS will
identify bermuda, fescue, and rye turf-grasses cultivars with improved tolerance to athletic field traffic and diseases, and evaluate management regimes for using these cultivars effectively.
release 4 or 5 new cultivars of clover and trefoil better adapted to the Eastern U.S.
release germplasm for an alfalfa line with improved pest resistance due to the selection of the genes for high density glandular hairs on the seedpod which protect the plant.
release new dallisgrass cultivar resistant to ergot disease and a klein-grass cultivar for use in the Southeastern U.S.
release new forage and grain pearl millet hybrids with stable disease resistance and increased yields under nonirrigated conditions.
develop new crops from "wild" plants and microbes, and new genotypes of conventional crops, to further diversify the Nation•s agricultural production base and human diets, and to provide valuable new products (e.g., nonallergenic rubber from guayule latex).
identify new crops for medicinal uses.
enhance the genetic base of genepools through programs of recurrent genetic recombination and selection so they can be more easily used by breeders.
incorporate into genepools new genetic variability continually from germplasm in nature, in genebanks, or in traditional farmers• fields so as to decrease genetic vulnerability to pests, pathogens, and other threats.
strengthen breeding and evaluation programs for minor crops, such as certain vegetables and fruits which comprise an important part of the U.S. diet, and for nursery and floral crops, which are of increasing economic importance.
PERFORMANCE GOAL 2.1.3.4: Improve methods for identifying useful properties of plants, animals, and other organisms, and for manipulating the genes associated with these properties. |
Indicators:
During FY 2001, ARS will
provide genetic-based flavor profiling that will impact peanut variety releases.
test new and improved economic selection tools and use them in the national dairy cattle genetic evaluation program.
add genetic evaluation for calving ease as a new trait in the national dairy cattle genetic evaluation program.
using molecular biology, complete cytogenetic analysis of the nine sources of germplasm used to develop all cultivated alfalfa varieties.
publish genetic linkage maps of channel catfish and rainbow trout.
During FY 2002, ARS will
develop more effective statistical genetic approaches for analyzing genetic marker data.
conduct germplasm evaluations to identify and develop novel "high value" industrial or ornamental traits, increased adaptation, vigor, and nutritional value, enhanced productive potential, capacity, and efficiency, and improved resistance to environmental extremes, pests, and diseases.
perfect more efficient and effective germplasm evaluation methods which exploit genetic associations between useful traits and molecular (DNA) markets to facilitate crop improvement.
develop new fundamental knowledge about gene function and interactions and mechanisms of gene regulation.
develop new knowledge about methods for gene transfer across wide genetic barriers and the mechanisms by which the process can be precisely controlled.
describe the structure, function, and regulation of agriculturally important genes in model plants and crop plants.
In FY 2002, ARS is requesting an increase of
$4,500,000 to develop bioinformatic tools and databases to support genomics research.
$3,000,000 for biotechnology risk assessment research.
STRATEGY 2.1.4: Plant and animal biological processes: Develop biologically-based technologies to improve productivity, safety, nutrient content, and quality of plants, animals, microbial organisms, and their products.
PERFORMANCE GOAL 2.1.4.1: Make technologies available for improving productivity, safety, and quality. |
Indicators:
During FY 2001, ARS will
complete the assessment of environmental risks associated with the use of copper sulfate to control diseases in aquaculture.
conduct target animal toxicity studies and efficacy testing to meet data requirements of FDA for approval of potassium permanganate to treat Ichthyophthirius multifiliis disease in aquaculture.
improve vaccine designs and delivery systems and conduct field evaluations of vaccines against the major aquaculture disease agents, flexibacter columnaris and streptococcus iniae.
continue testing various strains of catfish for natural resistance to columnaris disease which causes catfish industry losses of $50 to 80 million annually.
In FY 2001, ARS received an increase of
$498,900 to develop rapid diagnostic capabilities (bioterrorism).
$2,195,200 to rapidly identify, prevent, and control emerging and exotic plant diseases.
$1,297,100 to prevent and control exotic emerging infectious diseases of livestock.
$997,800 to develop vaccines for brucellosis in wildlife.
During FY 2002, ARS will
determine whether there is an association of transport stress with shedding of microorganisms that are of food safety significance.
develop life cycle husbandry practices of arctic char adapted to Appalachia.
develop and assure one-tenth commercial scale recirculation systems (50 metric tons annual) for arctic char.
develop a natural produce treatment of safely controlling algae-related off flavors in catfish.
develop new fundamental knowledge that will allow regulation of the photosynthetic process for improved crop yields and production efficiency.
develop new basic knowledge that will lead to improved efficiency in use of inputs by plant production systems for food, feed, fiber, and bioenergy.
develop new knowledge that will lead to elucidation of regulatory mechanisms of plant growth and development.
develop new basic knowledge about mechanisms of organismal interactions that will allow enhanced symbiotic or mutual associations of crop plants with other beneficial organisms.
develop new fundamental knowledge that will improve the management of pests using environmentally safe methods by enhancing the plant•s natural processes of defense or introducing new resistance mechanisms.
develop new basic knowledge that will be the basis for improved productivity when crops are subjected to environmental stress.
develop new fundamental knowledge of plant processes that will lead to greater product quality, uniformity, and value, and to improved marketability of agricultural products.
develop new fundamental knowledge of plant processes that generate important nutritional and healthful properties of plants grown for human or animal consumption.
develop new underlying knowledge as the basis for predicting global change effects on crop productivity and to take advantage of any benefits of global change to enhance crop yields, competitiveness with weeds, and adaptation to changes in atmosphere and the environment.
develop new knowledge that will enable production, storage, and processing of safe plant products to decrease incidences of mycotoxins and other contaminants of food and feed and reduce levels of naturally-occurring toxicants.
develop new knowledge of the occurrence and activities of biologically active natural products to enhance the ability to utilize this abundant natural resource.
address the issues raised by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 regarding the loss of many broad spectrum pest control products. The ARS IR-4 program, a National agricultural program designed to clear pest management agents for minor uses, will cooperate with CSREES State partners to provide growers of minor crops with effective pest management agents that have a minimal impact on the environment and meet the more stringent safety requirements of FQPA.
In FY 2002, ARS is requesting an increase of
$5,000,000 for emerging and exotic animal diseases.
OBJECTIVE 2.2: Safe food: "Maintain an adequate, nutritious, and safe supply of food to meet human nutritional needs and requirements."
STRATEGY 2.2.1: Plant and animal product safety: Provide knowledge and means for production, storage, and processing of safe plant and animal products.
PERFORMANCE GOAL 2.2.1.1: Transfer knowledge developed by ARS to industry and regulatory agencies. |
Indicators:
During FY 2001, ARS will
complete the development and conduct field trials for FDA approval of a defined competitive exclusion bacterial culture for control of Salmonella in commercial swine production.
complete the development of rapid immunoassays for the detection of Campylobacter, Listeria, and E. coli O157:H7, and residues of fluoroquinolone, tylosin and tilmycosin in foods in cooperation with industry partners.
complete studies to optimize the use of a commercial GRAS status herbal extract to reduce the pathogen load on poultry carcasses. This information will be used to develop intervention strategies that assist in reducing and/or eliminating the need to use chlorine.
demonstrate biologically based technology which can reduce the amount of fumonosins and other related mycotoxins accumulating in preharvest and postharvest corn.
complete greenhouse evaluations of transgenic cotton that expresses antifungal disease resistant genes incorporated for protection of the seed against aflatoxin producing fungi.
use its experimental use pesticide registration of Aspergillus flavus (a nonaflatoxin producing strain of A. flavus) to develop areawide aflatoxin management programs. Design and develop procedures for the production of a toxigenic strain material by grower organizations for use in local areawide aflatoxin management programs.
obtain an accurate, reliable estimate of the geographic, demographic and seasonal occurrence of the zoonotic pathogen E. coli O157:H7 which can be used to design rational control strategies to reduce the infection in cattle.
develop antimicrobial processes to inactivate or significantly reduce fecal bacteria on beef trim without any reductions in quality attributes of the resulting ground product.
develop techniques to improve the effectiveness of washing technologies for pathogen decontamination of fresh fruits, vegetables and seeds. Determine if ionizing irradiation or a combination of it and subsequent washing with a sanitizer is more efficacious. Develop a profile of the environmental conditions required to minimize growth of pathogens on fruits and vegetables during storage.
complete a microbial evaluation of swine slaughter and carcass dressing and determine limits for the critical control points. Transfer this information to the FSIS for incorporation into the HACCP program.
complete risk assessment models for Listeria, Salmonella, and Campylobacter in poultry products and develop predictive simulation models that assist industry and regulatory agencies in making critical food safety decisions that affect the public health.
develop predictive models and transfer the information to regulatory agencies indicating the effect(s) of food additives on the thermal inactivation of Salmonella in beef or poultry at various fat levels and the effect of temperature on the ability of food borne pathogen spores to initiate growth in cured beef, pork, or poultry.
develop solvent sparing and/or super-critical fluid extraction multi-residue methods for illegal use of animal growth promoting agents, antibiotic residues, dioxins, and triazines in meat tissue and eggs. Transfer the methodology to regulatory agencies such as the FSIS for monitoring use.
In FY 2001, ARS received an increase of
$6,455,800 for food safety research.
During FY 2002, ARS will
elucidate the ecology and epidemiology of pathogens on food producing animals, animal products, seafood, fruits and vegetables, and within the processing environment. The necessary data to carry out risk assessment will be provided. Critical control points will be identified and parameters of existing critical control points that lead to the design of control or intervention strategies will be validated to lower the presence of pathogens. Predictive models will also be developed and validated.
identify the sites and mechanisms of pathogen colonization in animals; identify and characterize virulence attributes which play a role in the host-pathogen relationship; and develop intervention strategies which reduce colonization and shedding of pathogens in animals used for food.
develop methods to assure that pathogens and chemical contaminants from animal manure do not pose a food safety hazard.
develop sampling plans and methods that have both regulatory, industry, and research use for the isolation, identification, and quantification of pathogens.
develop pathogen intervention strategies that assist regulatory agencies in establishing the basis for HACCP programs, aid both the large and small processors in carrying out good practices, and decrease the potential for introduction of zoonotic pathogens into processing environments. The effects of intervention strategies to reduce pathogens on food and antimicrobial resistance will be determined.
develop methods to control mycotoxins in food crops produced by Fusarium Aspergillus fungi. Methods to detect, quantitate, sample and/or separate toxin containing commodities will be developed. Methods to control insect vectors utilizing biocontrol fungi, and/or optimization of production practices will also be developed.
determine the absorption, metabolism, distribution, excretion, and elimination properties of drugs and environmental contaminants in food producing animals. Screening and confirmatory methods to detect and quantify drug and contaminant residues will be developed. Strategies for reducing the occurrence of residues will be devised.
develop knowledge and technology to prevent weight loss or decreased gains, reproductive performance, or other toxic effects in food producing livestock from grazing plants.
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