Title 10. Promotion and Identification of Agricultural Products — Subtitle 6. Certification of Farm Products

In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Certificate” means a certificate of the quality, condition, grade, food safety standard, or other classification of any farm product and includes a certificate of the Secretary, of the United States Department of Agriculture, or of the United States Food and Drug Administration.

“Farm product” means any agricultural, horticultural, vegetable, or fruit product of the soil, including livestock, meats, marine food products, poultry, eggs, dairy products, wool, hides, feathers, nuts, honey, and every product of farm, forest, orchard, garden or water, but does not include canned, frozen, dried, or pickled products.

Examine the product and practices used in its production to determine its quality, condition, grade, or other classification, either on the basis of the standards established by the Secretary, or the standards announced from time to time by the United States Department of Agriculture or the United States Food and Drug Administration;

Provide the person with an official certificate; and

Adopt rules and regulations concerning the inspection and certification of any farm product, including the payment of reasonable fees, as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this subtitle.

The Secretary shall cooperate with the United States government and any federal agency and may designate any competent person who has been licensed, commissioned, or credentialed for work by the United States Department of Agriculture or the United States Food and Drug Administration, to inspect, examine, classify, and certify any farm product or farm production practices in accordance with the rules and regulations it adopts and at the places the volume of business warrants.

The Secretary may accept technical, financial, and advisory assistance from any cooperating federal agency.

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall deny access to any business–related information concerning any person who applies for a certificate or is certified under this subtitle.

If the Secretary determines that disclosure is necessary to protect the public health, the Secretary may disclose any business–related information concerning any person who applies for a certificate or is certified under this subtitle.