tion of squawfish in mink diets. Arrangements are being made with the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Service to obtain the fish. Trials with young mink kits will involve feeding high levels of squawfish, up to 40 percent of their diets. Their responses will be assessed through growth data and the color and quality of their pelts.

The reproductive studies are likewise in the planning stages. Experiments are being developed with female mink to study the effects of treatments with the ovarian hormones, progesterone and estrogen, and the pituitary hormone, prolactin, on the uterus of anestrous animals. Responses will be measured as uterine changes and serum hormone levels. These studies may provide the necessary knowledge to induce embryo implantation in female mink with hormone administration.

Mr. McHUGH. When do the principal researchers carrying out this work anticipate that the work will be completed?

Dr. JORDAN. The university researchers anticipate that this work may be completed within 2-3 years.

MINOR CROP PEST CONTROL, HAWAII

Mr. MCHUGH. Please provide a description of the work that has been done under the minor crop pest control program to date and the period of the existing contract.

Dr. JORDAN. Pest and disease control on Hawaii's many minor crops depends on an integrated pest management-IPM-program including the judicious use of pesticides. Research will concentrate on pest control strategies for minor crops. Control strategies to be examined will be IPM compatible pesticides, physical treatments such as postharvest heat treatments, biocontrols, and resistant varieties. The fiscal year 1991 grant supports research through July 1992. The 1992 grant has been received and is being reviewed by CSRS.

Mr. MCHUGH. How long has this work been underway and how much has been appropriated through fiscal year 1992.

Dr. JORDAN. The work supported by this grant began in fiscal year 1990 and the appropriation for fiscal year 1990 was $281,000. The fiscal years 1991 and 1992 appropriation is $285,000 per year. A total of $851,000 has been appropriated.

Mr. MCHUGH. Where is the work being carried out?

Dr. JORDAN. Research is being conducted at the University of Hawaii.

Mr. McHUGH. What has been accomplished to date?

Dr. JORDAN. To date, the project has focused on pest and disease problems of papaya to find a replacement postharvest fungicide for the ethylene bisdethiocarbante fungicides-EBDC. The studies were not successful since chlorothalonil examined with two safeners and anilazine were phytotoxic with the heat quarantine treatments.

The forced hot air treatment for insect disinfestation of papaya fruit can lead to internal fruit damage if the duration of heating exceeds 52.5C for more than five hours or 50C for more than five hours. Fruit, however, varies widely in sensitivity depending upon the preharvest weather conditions.

"Green Island" blemishes in papaya apparently induced by mechanical injury were seen in all fruit and the occurrence increased as fruit moved through the handling system. These results suggest that abrasion damage was more important than impact damage in Solo papaya fruit. Heating also resulted in fruit that had a rubbery texture. Waxing fruit alleviated the severity of Green Island, and it did not matter whether waxing was done before or after the heat treatment.

The Kauai papaya heat treatment chamber is almost ready for shop testing and was shipped in mid-January 1992. Extensive field testing in Hilo has resulted in the certification of several facilities. Mr. MCHUGH. When do the principal researchers carrying out this work anticipate that work will be completed?

Dr. JORDAN. The University researchers anticipate the work may be completed in fiscal year 1995.

MINOR USE ANIMAL DRUGS

Mr. MCHUGH. Please provide a description of the work that has been done under the minor use animal drugs program to date and the period of the existing contract.

Dr. JORDAN. In 1982, Interregional Research Project Number 4IR-4-was revised to include efforts to obtain Food and Drug Administration-FDA-clearance of animal drugs intended for use in minor species and for minor uses in major species. Funds are distributed equally between the four IR-4 regional leader laboratories and the IR-4 Headquarters at Rutgers University for support of the drug clearance program. The funds are being utilized by the leader laboratories and by allocation to State Agricultural Experiment Stations-SAES-to develop data required for meeting clearance requirements. The research arm of the IR-4 program consists of the leader laboratories, SAES, Agricultural Research ServiceARS, schools of veterinary medicine and the drug industry. Each year priorities are established for the various species categories including small ruminants, game birds, fur-bearing animals, bees, and aquaculture species. The fiscal year 1991 grants terminate between March 1991 and July 1993. The fiscal year 1992 grants have been awarded and terminate between February 1993 and February 1994.

Mr. McHUGH. How long has this work been underway and how much has been appropriated through fiscal year 1992?

Dr. JORDAN. Grants have been awarded from appropriated funds in the amount of $240,000 per year for fiscal years 1982-85; $229,000 per year for fiscal years 1986-1989; $226,000 for fiscal year 1990; $450,000 for fiscal year 1991; and $464,000 for fiscal year 1992. A total of $3,016,000 has been appropriated.

Mr. MCHUGH. Where is this work being carried out?

Dr. JORDAN. The grants have been awarded to the four IR-4 regional leader laboratories located at Cornell University, the University of Florida, Michigan State University, and the University of California-Davis, and to IR-4 Headquarters also located at Michigan State University. Research is conducted at these universities and through allocation of these funds for specific experiments at the State Agricultural Experiment Stations, the Agricultural Re

search Service, the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service and in conjunction with several pharmaceutical companies. In 1991 a National Coordinator was established to assist in the coordination of the expanded program.

Mr. MCHUGH. What has been accomplished to date?

Dr. JORDAN. To date, 206 drug requests have been submitted to IR-4 for clearance. Working in conjunction with many universities, the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, ARS and numerous pharmaceutical companies, 20 research projects are now active and will be continued through 1992 to establish data for clearances. Eighteen public master files, which involve 13 new animal drugs in 10 animal species, have been published in the Federal Register related to the use of specific drugs in minor species. Three new drugs were cleared for use in 1991. Seven additional public master files are currently being reviewed.

The Center for Veterinary Medicine of the Food and Drug Administration is cooperating and supporting this program to the fullest extent. The program is a prime example of Federal interagency cooperation in coordination with academic institutions, pharmaceutical industries and commodity interests to effectively meet an urgent need.

Mr. MCHUGH. When do the principal researchers carrying out this work anticipate that the work will be completed?

Dr. JORDAN. Selected categories of the Special Research Grants program address important national/regional research initiatives. The program continues to give emphasis to research on drugs for the expanding aquaculture industry. The minor use animal drugs program involves research on biological systems that by their nature are ever changing and present new challenges to agriculture. Especially with the new sensitivities about safety and the environment, there is a high priority for continuation of these ongoing projects.

MOSQUITO RESEARCH, RICELAND AGROECOSYSTEM

Mr. MCHUGH. Please provide a description of the work that has been done under the riceland mosquito research program to date and the period of the existing contract.

Dr. JORDAN. The riceland mosquito research program is a program with the goal to maximize the use of non-chemical methods to effectively suppress mosquito populations associated with irrigated cropping systems in the United States. The fiscal year 1991 grant supports research through June 1992. The fiscal year 1992 grant has been received and is being reviewed.

Mr. McHUGH. How long has this work been underway and how much has been appropriated through fiscal year 1992?

Dr. JORDAN. Grants have been awarded from funds appropriated as follows: fiscal years 1982-1985, $480,000 per year; fiscal years 1986-1989, $456,000 per year; fiscal year 1990, $450,000; and fiscal years 1991 and 1992, $453,000 per year. A total of $5,100,000 has been appropriated.

Mr. MCHUGH. Where is this work being carried out?

Dr. JORDAN. Research on this project is being carried out in Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

Mr. MCHUGH. What has been accomplished to date?

Dr. JORDAN. Research to date has resulted in the gathering of information on the biology and ecology of key riceland mosquito species in the United States which subsequently has been used as a base for developing better survey methodology and management tactics for these species. Control strategies thus far developed include the use of the bacterial toxin Bacillus thuringiensis variety israelliensis against mosquito larval populations. This toxin is extremely effective against mosquito larvae, but does not affect the populations of the natural predators in riceland aquatic habitats, which afford up to 60 to 80 percent control of mosquito larvae. Also, during this past year, Environmental Protection AgencyEPA-granted unconditional registrations for three formulations of the fungal agent, Lagenidium giganteum, based on research information collected by participants in the Riceland Mosquito Management Program.

Mr. MCHUGH. When do the principal researchers carrying out this work anticipate that the work will be completed?

Dr. JORDAN. It is now projected that the program currently in progress can be completed in fiscal year 1994.

MULTICROPPING STRATEGIES FOR AQUACULTURE, HAWAII

Mr. MCHUGH. Please provide a description of the work that has been done under the multicropping strategies for aquaculture research in Hawaii to date and the period of the existing contract.

Dr. JORDAN. The objective of this research is to develop design criteria for the coproduction of shrimp and oysters in aquacultural systems. Oyster production strategies and production systems have been evaluated. Research is approaching commercialization. The fiscal year 1991 grant supports research through June 1993. The fiscal year 1992 grant proposal has been received and is being reviewed.

Mr. MCHUGH. How long has this work been underway and how much has been appropriated through fiscal year 1992?

Dr. JORDAN. This research was initiated in fiscal year 1987 and $152,000 per year was appropriated in fiscal years 1987 through 1989. The fiscal years 1990, 1991, and 1992 appropriations are $150,000 per year. A total of $906,000 has been appropriated.

Mr. MCHUGH. Where is this work being carried out?

Dr. JORDAN. Research is being conducted at the University of Hawaii.

Mr. MCHUGH. What has been accomplished to date?

Dr. JORDAN. Research has led to the development of production systems that are ready for commercial field testing. Oyster production systems have been developed that utilize waste from shrimp production systems and produce an additional high value crop.

Mr. MCHUGH. When do the principal researchers carrying out this work anticipate that the work will be completed?

Dr. JORDAN. It is anticipated that the support provided in 1992 will complete the research project.

NATIONAL BIOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

Mr. McHUGH. Please provide a description of the work that has been done under the National Biological Impact Assessment Program to date and the period of the existing contract.

Dr. JORDAN. The National Biological Impact Assessment Program's mission is to facilitate and assess the safe application of new techniques for the genetic modification of plants, animals, and microorganisms to benefit agriculture and the environment. The fiscal year 1992 grant supports research through December 1992.

Mr. McHUGH. How long has this work been underway and how much has been appropriated through fiscal year 1992?

Dr. JORDAN. Grants have been awarded from funds appropriated as follows: fiscal year 1989, $125,000; fiscal year 1990, $123,000; and fiscal years 1991 and 1992, $300,000 per year. A total of $848,000 has been appropriated.

Mr. McHUGH. Where is this work being carried out?

Dr. JORDAN. The research coordination is being provided by The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Former and current partners in the program include The Pennsylvania State University, Louisiana State University, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, University of Arizona, University of Missouri, Purdue University, and the National Agricultural Library.

Mr. MCHUGH. What has been accomplished to date?

Dr. JORDAN. There have been significant accomplishments since the grant's initiation. First, an Agricultural/Environmental Biotechnology Information System-Electronic Bulletin Board-has been in full operation for two years with extensive improvements made in the last year. It combines a monthly News Report with direct access to a series of 18 databases and a message service. A brochure and quick reference card have been prepared to inform and assist users. Support for inputs to the News Report and new and updated databases have been supplied to the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the National Agricultural Library, and two independent consultants. The System now services over 7,000 subscribers. A second achievement has been the development of artificial intelligence software which assists principal investigators in the safe design of preliminary field tests of genetically modified organisms and then drafts applications for Federal approval to undertake the tests. A third effort, related to the second, is underway to develop a computer software prototype to assist principal investigators in generating a final report on the results of monitoring the performance of genetically modified organisms in approved field

tests.

Mr. MCHUGH. When do the principal researchers carrying out this work anticipate that the work will be completed?

Dr. JORDAN. The initial program was first proposed for a fiveyear period, anticipating that many of the biosafety questions for field testing would be resolved at that time. Very significant progress in the development of the information system has been realized in the past two years. With the important scientific and public interest in the safety of human health and protection of the environment, this program is a high priority and may likely need to be extended beyond the initially planned five years.