H.R. 7547: DOD and USDA Interagency Research Act

This bill, titled the DOD and USDA Interagency Research Act, proposes that the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) work together on research and development activities aimed at improving agriculture and food defense, with a focus on national security and various mission-related priorities.

Key Objectives

The primary goals of the bill are to:

• Enhance the collaboration between the DoD and USDA in areas crucial to both agricultural resilience and national security.
• Support the development of new agricultural technologies that can be beneficial for defense applications.
• Address challenges such as food supply chain security, agricultural resilience to disasters, and environmental threats.

Research Areas

The research and development activities will cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Technological advancements in agriculture, such as mechanization and data analysis.
• Biological sciences, focusing on areas like genetic research and biosecurity measures.
• Management strategies for natural resources, including water and soil, to support both agricultural and military operations.
• Food supply chain security to minimize the risk of disruptions in food access and ensure agricultural systems are viewed as critical national infrastructure.
• Development of precision agriculture technologies and innovations relevant to defense needs.

Implementation and Collaboration

The bill requires:

• The Secretaries of Defense and Agriculture to formalize their agreement for joint activities through a memorandum of understanding.
• They will utilize a competitive review process to select research proposals from various stakeholders, including state agencies, universities, and industry.
• In some cases, public-private partnerships will be established to facilitate funding and development of new technologies.

Funding and Oversight

The bill authorizes the use of unspent funds already allocated to relevant agricultural and defense departments for carrying out the activities defined in this act. Additionally, it mandates:

• Annual reports to Congress on the progress of joint research initiatives.
• Ensuring research integrity and security while protecting sensitive data from public disclosure.
• Periodic assessments by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate the effectiveness of the research initiatives.

Definitions and Context

The bill includes definitions of key terms and clarifies the congressional committees involved in oversight of the research initiatives. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring collaborative efforts align with national security considerations and enhance the resilience of the agricultural sector.

Relevant Companies

• DAL - Delta Air Lines: May be involved in logistics and food supply activities that could be affected by agricultural research outputs.
• MOS - The Mosaic Company: As an agricultural company, Mosaic might see benefits from advancements in agricultural resilience and food supply security.
• DE - Deere & Company: As a manufacturer of agricultural machinery, they may experience impacts from technological advancements promoted by this collaboration.