11 



and processes. The program could provide new opportunities for re- 

 search, Extension, and technology transfer activaties to foster the 

 development of private aquaculture. The program would help bring 

 to the marketplace research and technological developments from 

 aquaculture research and development programs throughout the 

 country. 



The bill would continue the authorization for the National Aqua- 

 culture Information Center, NAIC. The NAIC is an important re- 

 source for the U.S. aquaculture community. The bill would also re- 

 quire the Secretary of Agriculture to establish working relation- 

 ships between the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture and regional 

 and national aquaculture industry organizations. The Department 

 presently has a working relationship at the regional level with the 

 industry advisory councils of the five USDA Regional Aquaculture 

 Centers. The Department concurs with the need to strengthen link- 

 ages between Federal agencies and the aquaculture industry. 



The bill calls for promoting private aquaculture by "establishing 

 private aquaculture as a form of agriculture and cultivated aquatic 

 animals, plants, microorganisms and their products produced by 

 private persons and moving in standard commodity channels as ag- 

 ricultural, livestock, crops, and commodities." The Department rec- 

 ognizes that private commercial aquaculture is an important and 

 growing component of the U.S. economy and is committed to pro- 

 viding a broad range of services for this industry. The Department 

 further recognizes that the proposed language of the bill could 

 grant authority to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 

 APHIS, to provide programs to assure the basic health of aquatic 

 animals. We believe that this authority should be made more spe- 

 cific in the bill by defining aquatic animals as livestock under the 

 definition of existing animal and plant quarantine laws. We are re- 

 viewing other implications of this definition as well. 



The language provides for the development of a unified, coordi- 

 nated Department-wide program to support private U.S. aqua- 

 culture. Secretary Espy is committed to establishing a unified, 

 cross-cutting aquaculture program that builds teamwork and col- 

 laboration among agencies and departments. 



The Department of Agriculture finds that the proposed legisla- 

 tion applies broadly to the U.S. aquaculture industry and would 

 strengthen the Department's ability to support cultivation of a wide 

 variety of aquatic species in diverse freshwater and marine envi- 

 ronments throughout the United States. 



The legislation should be an important stimulus for the develop- 

 ment of a globally competitive U.S. aquaculture industry. The De- 

 partment welcomes the opportunity to provide needed assistance to 

 this important developing industry. 



Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared statement. I will be 

 pleased to respond to any questions. 



Senator Daschle. Thank you very much. Dr. Parker. 



Senator Daschle. Let us move along to the Associate Director of 

 Food and Agricultural Issues. Resources, Community and Economic 

 Development Division of the' General Accounting Office. That is a 

 long title, but we are glad you are here. 



Mr. Robinson. I hope I am up to it. 



Senator Daschle. What is that? 



