(8) Providing management support services for the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), the Office of Transportation (OT), the Agricultural Cooperative Service (ACS), the Packers and Stockyards Administration (P&SA), and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) as agreed upon by the agencies, with authority to take actions required by law or regulation. The term "management support services" includes budget, finance, personnel, procurement, property management, communications, paperwork management, and related administrative services.

(f) Deputy Administrator, Animal Damage Control (ADC). The Deputy Administrator for ADC is responsible for:

(1) Participating with the Administrator of APHIS and agency officials in the overall planning, formulation, and evaluation of all policies, programs, and activities of APHIS.

(2) Planning, providing leadership, formulating and coordinating policies, and directing the administration of the program to control vertebrate animal conflicts with agriculture, industry, natural resources, public health and safety, and with other activities of man, as authorized by the Act of March 2, 1931 (7 U.S.C. 426, 426b).

(3) Meeting and dealing with outside interest groups, advisory groups, Members of Congress, officials of other governmental agencies, and others interested in animal damage and nuisance control to elicit their cooperation, to explain ADC programs and their goals, and to gain acceptance and understanding of the programs.

(4) Cooperating with and providing technical assistance to other Federal, State, local, private, and foreign agencies in regard to animal damage and nuisance control within the parameters of authorized missions and goals. These activities are carried out by the ADC Operational Support Unit and by ADC regional and field offices.

(g) Deputy Administrator, Regulatory Enforcement and Animal Care (REAC). The Deputy Administrator for REAC is responsible for:

(1) Participating with the Administrator of APHIS and other agency officials in the overall planning and for

mulation of all policies, programs, and activities of APHIS.

(2) Directing the formal investigation of reported violations of laws and regulations applicable to APHIS activities. Referring violation cases to the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) for preparation of formal complaints involving:

(i) (Laboratory) Animal Welfare Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2131 through 2147, 2149 through 2155); and

(ii) Horse Protection Act (15 U.S.C. 1821 through 1831).

(3) Directing the inspection of facilities covered by the Animal Welfare Act and directing activities covered by the Horse Protection Act.

(4) Maintaining liaison and cooperating with other Federal agencies, industry, humane groups, and private citizens involved with regulatory enforcement and animal care activities.

(5) Providing recommendations for policy and program changes and promulgating procedures and guidelines for the conduct of field activities. These activities are carried out by the REAC Units and by field offices.

(h) Deputy Administrator, International Services (IS). The Deputy Administrator for IS is responsible for:

(1) Participating with the Administrator of APHIS in the overall planning and formulation of international policies, programs, and activities.

(2) Directing a corps of foreign service personnel carrying out APHIS activities abroad. Maintaining and administering the Foreign Service personnel system for employees of APHIS in accordance with section 202(a)(2) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3922), E.O. 12363, dated May 21, 1982, and the provisions of §2.51(a)(1) of this title.

(3) Developing and maintaining systems for monitoring and reporting the presence and movement of agricultural diseases and pests.

(4) Developing and maintaining cooperative relationships and programs with other Federal international agencies, foreign governments, industry and international organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, with regard to APHIS activities in foreign countries.

(5) Maintaining systems for observing the effects of plant and animal diseases

endemic in foreign countries and evaluating the impact on the agriculture industry.

(6) Developing and directing programs designed to facilitate the export of United States plants and animals and their products.

These activities are carried out by the IS Operational Support Unit and IS regional and field offices.P='04'≤

(i) Director, Policy and Program Development (PPD). The Director for PPD is responsible for:

(1) Participating with the Administrator of APHIS and other executive team officials in the overall planning and formulation of agency policies, program, and activities.

(2) Planning, providing leadership, and administering the development of agency-wide planning and evaluation models and strategies; designing multiyear approaches to major changes in program direction and developing new program initiatives; managing an agency decisionmaking process (issue management); developing regulatory actions; developing risk assessment systems and models and conducting studies of significant exotic and newly introduced plant and animal pests, diseases, and organisms; and developing predator control projects.

(3) Providing for the design of APHIS Policy Communications System.

(j) Director, Recruitment and Development (R&D). The Director for R&D is responsible for:

(1) Formulating and recommending recruitment, employee development, and training policies and procedures consistent with APHIS's overall personnel policies.

(2) Developing recruitment procedures and strategies for locating and developing sources of candidates to fulfill immediate and long-range needs.

(3) Designing, developing, and delivering training and employee development programs.

(k) Director, Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA). The Director for LPA is responsible for:

(1) Advising and assisting the Administrator of APHIS and other agency officials on all matters relating to agency legislative affairs.

(2) Preparing legislative proposals in connection with APHIS programs and

(7) Administering, with other APHIS programs, the international information activities of APHIS.

(8) Planning, developing, and maintaining agency-wide internal communication systems.

(9) Drafting and administering policy guidelines on press contacts, photography, audiovisual, graphic design, radio-TV, and policy/editorial/graphics clearance for popular publications. Planning, providing leadership, and conducting a policy communication program to express and interpret APHIS policies in written form to members of Congress, State and industry leaders, officials of foreign governments, and private citizens.

(10) Preparing timely and responsive replies to written inquiries by identifying accurate sources of information, determining necessary agency actions, tailoring responses to the interests of the recipient, ensuring that the responses adhere to APHIS policies and are consistent with other responses, and securing the corroboration of appropriate agency officials. Establishing and maintaining a system for the control of written inquiries referred by the

Office of the Secretary or sent directly to the agency.

(11) Preparing position papers regarding trends and patterns in APHIS program issues that are of special interest to the Administrator and his immediate subordinates.

(12) Providing editorial assistance to other staffs in the preparation of regulations, procedural manuals, articles for publication, and standard replies to recurring questions posed by correspondence answered at the program level. Developing policies, coordinating and maintaining control of APHIS activities that fall within the scope of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act. Making all initial determinations to deny information requested under the FOIA. Ensuring that files coming within the scope of the Privacy Act are properly identified, used, and safeguarded.

(1) Director, Science and Technology (S&T). The Director for S&T is responsible for:

(1) Participating with the Administrator of APHIS and other agency officials in the overall planning and formulation of all policies, programs, and activities of APHIS.

(2) Providing laboratory support, diagnostic services, methods development, and research activities in support of all APHIS programs.

(3) Cooperating and coordinating with other government agencies, State agencies, and industries to ensure that the technical needs of APHIS programs are considered and met.

(4) Coordinating registration of chemicals and other substances developed for use in APHIS control and eradication programs.

These activities are carried out by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, the Denver Wildlife Research Center, the National Monitoring and Residue Analysis Laboratory, and the Plant Methods Development Centers.

(m) Director, Biotechnology, Biologics, and Environmental Protection (BBEP). The Director for BBEP is responsible for:

(1) Coordinating and executing biotechnology regulatory policy within APHIS and other USDA regulatory agencies and acting as a liaison with

these agencies, other Federal agencies, and private organizations.

(2) Advising the Administrator on requirements for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and ensuring NEPA compli

ance.

(3) Providing briefing material, recommendations, and other specific written materials on biotechnology regulatory policy to the Administrator and the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Inspection Services.

(4) Directing and coordinating the activities of the Veterinary Biologics field office.

(5) Providing oversight and management for BBEP staffs and functions.

[54 FR 23194, May 31, 1989, as amended at 61 FR 68541, Dec. 30, 1996]

§371.3 Plant Protection and Quarantine.

The PPQ Operational Support unit and the four PPQ regional offices, under the administrative direction of the Administrator and the functional and technical direction of the Deputy Administrator, PPQ, are responsible for Plant Protection and Quarantine as follows:

(a) PPQ operational support. (1) Participating with the Deputy Administrator, PPQ, in the overall planning and formulation of all PPQ programs and activities.

(2) Directing, coordinating, and integrating the activities of subordinate staffs that provide operational support, guidance, and planning to field programs conducted in the four domestic regions.

(3) Developing and maintaining cooperative relationships and programs with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and industry with regard to plant protection activities and programs designed to protect farm crops and other valued plant life from harmful insects, nematodes, diseases, and weeds.

(b) PPQ regional offices. (1) Participating with the Deputy Administrator, PPQ, in the operational planning and implementation of policies, programs, and activities of PPQ.

(2) Planning, providing leadership, coordinating, and conducting PPQ regional programs and activities to protect the Nation's agriculture from harmful plant pests and diseases, and preventing the entry of these plant pests and diseases and animal diseases into the United States or their spread in foreign commerce. (Activities relating to animal diseases are concerned with import and export of animal products and byproducts).

(3) Developing and maintaining cooperative relationships and programs with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and industry with regard to plant protection activities and programs designed to protect farm crops and other valued plant life from harmful insects, nematodes, diseases, and weeds.

§371.4 Veterinary Services.

The VS Operational Support unit and the four VS regional offices, under the administrative direction of the Administrator and the functional and technical direction of the Deputy Administrator, VS, are responsible as follows:

(a) VS Operational Support. (1) Participating with the Deputy Administrator, VS, in the overall planning and formulation of policies, programs, and activities of VS within the APHIS framework.

(2) Directing, coordinating, and integrating the activities of subordinate staffs that provide operational support, guidance, and planning to field programs involving the detection, control, and/or eradication of animal diseases and parasites, and involving the enforcement of quarantines governing the importation and exportation of live animals, animal semen, and eggs.

(3) Monitoring and evaluating ongoing programs to ensure that they are effective, efficient, and in compliance with laws, regulations, and policies.

(4) Providing technical guidance, advice, and information in support of field operations units and personnel.

(5) Coordinating and monitoring VS import and export programs.

(6) Negotiating animal health protocols with foreign countries to facilitate the export of United States livestock.

(7) Cooperating with other APHIS organizations and other Federal and pri

vate agencies in developing plans, programs, and procedures to protect the nation's livestock and poultry re

sources.

(8) Maintaining close liaison and cooperative relationships with other APHIS organizations, the Agricultural Research Service, other Federal and private agencies, and colleges and universities involved in research and development activities relating to the control and eradication of animal diseases and other programs relating to VS objectives and missions.

(b) VS Regional Offices. (1) Participating with the Deputy Administrator, VS, in the overall planning and formulation of all policies, programs, and activities of VS.

(2) Planning, providing leadership, and coordinating VS programs and activities within the Region (comprising several States) to protect the health of livestock, poultry, and other valued animal life through the detection, control and/or eradication of animal diseases and parasites and through the enforcement of quarantines governing the importation and exportation of live animals, animal semen, eggs, and other live animal tissues and specimens.

(3) Supervising, directing, coordinating, and integrating the activities of subordinate Area Offices that are responsible for the conduct of Federal and multi-State cooperative programs.

§371.5 Management and Budget.

The Budget and Accounting Division, Human Resources Division, Administrative Services Division, Information Systems and Communications Division, Resource Management Systems and Evaluation Staff, Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights Staff, Equal Opportunity Counseling, and the Field Servicing Office, under the direction of the Deputy Administrator for Management and Budget, are responsible as follows:

(a) Budget and Accounting Division. (1) Participating with the Deputy Administrator for M&B in the overall formulation of all administrative management policies, programs, and activities for APHIS, ACS, and OT.

(2) Planning, providing staff leadership and administering the budget and

(3) Assisting in formulating current and long-range policies and programs relating to APHIS, ACS, and OT budget and multi-year programs and financial plans and coordinating the development of the documentation of these programs and plans.

(4) Assisting in developing the accounting and related financial systems necessary for APHIS, ACS, and OT. Developing procedures and instructions to implement the systems, and maintaining these systems.

(5) Planning and providing for the selection, documentation, negotiation, and implementation of cooperative

agreements.

(b) Human Resources Division. (1) Participating with the Deputy Administrator for M&B in the overall formulation of all administrative management policies, programs, and activities for APHIS, FGIS, ACS, P&SA, and OT.

(2) Planning for and providing staff leadership and assistance to managers and program leaders of APHIS, FGIS, ACS, P&SA, and OT in the areas of organization, position management, performance appraisal, position classification, salary and wage administration, placement, employee relations, and labor management relations.

(3) Providing leadership in the development of personnel policy for recruitment, employee development, training, and the Foreign Service Personnel System.

(4) Leading and coordinating personnel management review and evaluation activities throughout APHIS to ensure that personnel management programs are effective, efficient, and in compliance with laws, regulations, and policy.

(5) Providing certain operating personnel services for APHIS, FGIS, ACS, P&SA, OT, and AMS, was agreed upon by APHIS and each of the other Agencies.

(6) Developing, implementing, and maintaining a career management initiative and organizational development program.

(c) Administrative Services Division. (1) Participating with the Deputy Administrator for M&B in the overall formulation of all administrative management policies, programs, and activities for APHIS, FGIS, ACS, P&SA, OT, and AMS.

(2) Planning for and providing staff leadership and operating administrative services and assistance to managers and supervisors in: Real and personal property management and utilization; procurement of supplies, equipment, and services through competitive and noncompetitive procedures or from established contract safety, health and environmental concerns; development and control of forms and reports; records security; printing and distribution; mail and shuttle service; and directives management. Providing overall direction and coordination for the design and construction of facilities.

sources;

(d) Information Systems and Communications Division. (1) Participating with the Deputy Administrator for M&B in the overall formulation of information resources management policies and programs in support of APHIS programs.

(2) Planning, directing, and conducting studies to determine the feasibility of applying automated data systems and techniques to agency operations. Determining the advantages of using automated systems and processing in terms of economic and other considerations.

(3) Developing and designing automated data systems, standards, and new and improved methods and techniques for translation into basic program structures relative to systems analysis, computer programming and equipment utilization and capabilities. Assisting agency managers in determining informational requirements. Analyzing types and volume of data involved, cost of present methods and cost and advantages of applying electronic data processing.

(4) Developing computer programs to meet objectives of specific programs and projects, including all levels of electronic data processing documentation and the testing or "debugging" of machine programs. Designing procedures and advising in the development