-8- 



incurred. Such legislation would formalize the procedure already 

 in effect and reimburse the general fvind operations of the De- 

 partment of Agriculture with earmarked funds appropriated to the 

 Bozeman Grain Laboratory. (Appendix A) 



2. Feed and Fertilizer (Analytical) Laboratory 



The Feed and Fertilizer Lab is also located on the Montana State 

 University campus within the Agricultural Experiment Station 

 organization; however, its activities are coordinated by the Ad- 

 ministrator of the Feed and Fertilizer Division of the State De- 

 partment of Agriculture. 



The function of the Feed and Fertilizer Lab is to collect and in- 

 terpret analytical data applicable to the use of agricultural 

 products. The statutory responsibilities assigned to this lab 

 are found in Sections 3-1718 and 3-2020, R.C.M. 1947. These laws 

 direct the Department of Agriculture to insure that commercial 

 feeds and fertilizers are properly labeled with accurate guaran- 

 tees as to the contents and with adequate instructions for their 

 use. 



Official samples of feed and fertilizer are taken by two field 

 samplers employed by the Department of Agriculture. Each sample 

 requires a nxomber of analytical tests as several tests must be 

 run on each sample to determine that the numerous guarantees are 

 met. In addition, if the first test does not meet specifications, 

 the analysis is repeated one or more times. 



Fees collected for commercial tests are deposited in the Earmarked 

 Revenue Fund - Commercial Fertilizer Account, and expenditures are 

 appropriated from this account. Fees collected are also received 

 in the Helena office of the Department of Agriculture, as required 

 by statute. 



Some duplication was noted in the statutory responsibilities as- 

 signed the feed and fertilizer lab and those of the Laboratory 

 Division of the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences. 

 In the Montana Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, under Section 27-702, 

 R.C.M. 1947, the State Department of Health and Environmental 

 Sciences is given the authority to regulate "food or drink for man 

 or other animals. " The testing of animal feeds within the Depart- 

 ment of Health and Environmental Sciences, however, is done pri- 

 marily in connection with investigations into human disease. 



3. Department of Livestock Diagnostic Laboratory 



The Department of Livestock Diagnostic Laboratory was established 

 under the authority of Section 46-208(4), R.C.M. 1947, to provide 

 livestock disease control and assurance of a safe meat and milk 

 supply. This function is ancillary to the responsibilities of the 

 Livestock Sanitary Board to advance the livestock industry in 

 Montana while protecting public health. The Diagnostic Lab building 



