Program Authorization: R.S. 36:628
Purchased seed, fertilizers, and pesticides are vital commodities to agriculture in the state. The mission of the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Program is to ensure that Louisiana farmers receive sound quality ingredients for the production of food and fiber in an environmentally safe manner so that the health and vitality of the people of Louisiana are best served. The goal of this program is to assure that feed, fertilizer, horticultural products, pesticides and seeds meet quality standards. Towards this end, this program conducts activities to sample and inspect these materials, enforce material quality requirements and to assist farmers to properly apply them for maximum economy and safety. The activities of this program are: Administrative, Agronomic, Pesticide, Agricultural Chemistry, Feed Commission, and Seed Commission.
OBJECTIVES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Unless otherwise indicated, all objectives are to be accomplished during or by the end of FY 1999-2000. Performance indicators are made up of two parts: name and value. The indicator name describes what is being measured. The indicator value is the numeric value or level achieved within a given measurement period. For budgeting purposes, performance indicator values are shown for the prior fiscal year, the current fiscal year, and alternative funding scenarios (continuation budget level and Executive Budget recommendation level) for the ensuing fiscal year (the fiscal year of the budget document).
RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR THE PROGRAM
This program is funded with State General Fund, Fees and Self-generated Revenues, Statutory Dedications and Federal Funds. Fees and Self-generated Revenues are derived from license fees, inspection fees, permits, fines and examination fees. Statutory Dedications are derived from tonnage fees on feed, assessments on cotton farmers for the eradication of Boll Weevils, fees on branches and contracts of termite control operators, labeling and registration of certain pesticides. (Per R. S. 39:32B.(8), see table below for a listing of expenditures out of each statutory dedicated fund.) Federal Funds are received from the Environmental Protection Agency - Enforcement and Certification Programs, Imported Fire Ant Program, and Boll Weevil plant inspection and quarantine for the purchase of ULV Malathion for spraying cotton to control Boll Weevils.
The total means of financing for this program is recommended at 238.6% of the existing operating budget. It represents 95.3% of the total request ($60,686,885) for this program. The increase is primarily due to an adjustment for the Boll Weevil Eradication Project.
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Legal services for attorneys to represent the department in all legal proceedings relating to pesticide rules and regulations |
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OTHER CHARGES
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Pesticide Ground Water Monitoring for a study on monitoring runoff water from farmlands |
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ACQUISITIONS AND MAJOR REPAIRS
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Replacement of various sedans, pick-up trucks, etc., with high mileage and costly repairs |
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$433,725 |
Various agriculture, research, and computer equipment |
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