- Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) facilitates the strategic marketing of agricultural
products in domestic and international markets, while ensuring fair trading
practices and promoting a competitive and efficient marketplace. AMS constantly
works to develop new marketing services to increase customer satisfaction.
Toward this end, AMS works closely with the Foreign Agricultural Service in
international marketing; with the Farm Service Agency on strategic domestic
marketing; and with the Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services mission area;
National Agricultural Statistics Service; and the Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service on outreach and education.
Authorizing Legislation: The Agricultural Marketing
Act of 1946, the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, the Organic
Foods Production Act of 1990, the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act of 1927,
and the Tobacco Inspection Act.
Home Page Address: http://www.ams.usda.gov
- Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) protects America's animal and plant
resources by safeguarding these resources from exotic invasive pests and
diseases, monitoring and managing pests and diseases existing in the U.S.,
resolving trade issues related to animal and plant health, and ensuring the
humane care and treatment of animals. APHIS works closely with the Farm and
Foreign Agricultural Services mission area to maintain or expand access to
foreign markets, with the Food Safety and Inspection Service on food safety
issues, with agencies in the National Resources and Environment mission area on
invasive species and other environmental is sues, and with the Agricultural
Research Service on the application of science and technology to the full range
of agency services.
Authorizing Legislation: The principal legislative
authorities for these activities include the Organic Act of 1944, the Plant
Protection Act (as contained in the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000),
Sections 12-14 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Bureau of Animal
Industry Act of 1884, Tariff Act of June 17, 1930, the Animal Damage Control
Act of 1931, Animal Welfare Act of 1966, the Horse Protection Act of 1970, and
Virus Serum Toxin Act of 1913. Several laws authorize the collection of user
fees for agricultural quarantine inspection and other APHIS services.
Home Page Address: http://www.aphis.usda.gov
- Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) facilitates the marketing of
livestock, poultry, meat, cereals, oilseeds, and related agricultural products,
and promotes fair and competitive trading practices for the overall benefit of
consumers and American agriculture. GIPSA ensures open and competitive markets
for livestock, poultry, and meat by investigating and monitoring industry trade
practices. GIPSA also provides Federal grading standards and a National
inspection and weighing system for grain and oilseeds. GIPSA works closely with
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Foreign Agricultural
Service, and the Agricultural Research Service to facilitate international
marketing, with the Office of Inspector General on investigative matters, and
with the Agricultural Marketing Service to obtain feedback from customers.
Authorizing Legislation: The United States Grain
Standards Act; the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; and the Packers and
Stockyards Act of 1921.
Home Page Address: http://www.usda.gov/gipsa
