SENATOR RICHARD G. LUGAR
CHAIRMAN

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION AND FORESTRY

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH REAUTHORIZATION HEARING

MARCH 20, 1997

Today we conclude our series of hearings to review our agricultural research system in preparation for legislation to reauthorize research programs.

We will continue to discuss funding mechanisms for agricultural research. Federally funded agricultural research is allocated among intramural funds, formula funds to universities, competitive grants, and special grants. We will continue to ask what might be the most effective method of allocating funds.

We have the opportunity today to hear about international agricultural research. What is the appropriate U.S. role in international agricultural research? How does the U.S. connect with the international agriculture research network? Are changes needed to strengthen or improve this linkage?

We will hear from those who benefit from and utilize agricultural research, education and extension. Who are the "users" of this system? What is their role in determining research priorities? We will continue to ask what is the best process to use to set priorities for agricultural research, extension and education?

We will also hear the views of the State Departments of Agriculture. Perhaps they will have suggestions for how best to set research priorities as well as how best to deliver federal agricultural research funding. We will hear from the forestry colleges today. They may have opinions on the structure of the U.S. agricultural research, education and extension system and how it will meet the research and scientific challenges of the next century.

It will be interesting to learn whether the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture are working cooperatively, collaborating rather than duplicating each other's efforts and resources, to address agricultural research issues of concern to both agencies.

Finally, at our previous hearings Senator Harkin has made clear his enthusiasm for new uses of agricultural crops and his support for commercialization. We will hear today about efforts to commercialize products derived from agricultural commodities. As we conclude our agricultural research hearings, I look forward to working on research in a bipartisan manner with Senator Harkin and other members of this Committee.