Program C: Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

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Program C: Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Program Authorization: R.S. 36:628

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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

1. The Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Program will ensure no other states reject Louisiana horticulture products based on disease or pests in FY 1998-99.

2. The Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Program will reduce the incidents of verified environmental contamination of improper pesticide application by 10% in FY 1998-99.

3. In FY 1998-99, the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Program will ensure that all feeds, fertilizers and agricultural lime sold in Louisiana meet guarantees and standards or that farmers are fully indemnified by the seller.

4. The Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Program will prevent Louisiana from becoming a dumping ground for low quality seeds and will enable consumers to purchase superior new crop varieties grown within established production boundaries during FY 1998-99.

RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR THE PROGRAM

SOURCE OF FUNDING

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. (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 and Imported Fire Ant Program.

ANALYSIS OF RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL FUND	TOTAL	T.O.	DESCRIPTION

$2,053,263	$12,972,974	126	ACT 18 FISCAL YEAR 1997-1998

			BA-7 TRANSACTIONS:
$0	$1,100,000	0	Federal funds to purchase malathion to control boll weevil infestation

$2,053,263	$14,072,974	126	EXISTING OPERATING BUDGET - December 10, 1997

$183,980	($42,172)	0	Equipment/Major Repairs Adjustment(s) (Nonrecurring: -$16,020; Replacement/New: $200,000)
$16,714	$16,714	0	Annualization of 1997 -'98 Merit Pay Adjustment(s)
$121,867	$121,867	0	1998 -'99 Merit Pay Adjustment(s)
($85,636)	($85,636)	0	Reductions in various Expenditure Categories; Including Reductions to fully fund Salaries
($42,349)	($42,349)	0	Attrition Adjustment
($19,373)	($19,373)	0	Retirement Rate Adjustment(s)
$0	($650,000)	0	Uncollectable boll weevil revenue

$2,219,063	$13,372,025	126	TOTAL RECOMMENDED

$165,800	($700,949)	0	DIFFERENCE (TOTAL RECOMMENDED AND EXISTING OPERATING BUDGET)

The total means of financing for this program is recommended at 95.0% of the existing operating budget. It represents 87.1% of the total request ($15,347,807) for this program. The increase in general fund is primarily associated with the adjustment for acquisitions. The decrease in the total means of financing is due to the acquisition adjustment and the removal of noncollectable boll weevil revenue.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

$134,455		Legal services for attorneys to represent the department in all legal proceedings relating to pesticide rules and regulations
$3,626		Other Professional Services for grading portions of the Landscape Architectural Registration Examination
$25,130		Contract with LSU Veterinary School for laboratory services

$163,211		TOTAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

OTHER CHARGES

$25,000		Pesticide Ground Water Monitoring for a study on monitoring runoff water from farmlands
$30,000		Funds to the LSU Entomology Department for species research
$5,500		Per diem paid for use of horses
$41,258		LSU veterinary school for laboratory services
$5,355,742		Boll weevil expenses
$15,000		LSU Cooperative Extension services

$5,472,500		TOTAL OTHER CHARGES

		Interagency Transfers:
$15,337		Department of Civil Service
$3,000		Department of Treasury
$26,000		Office of Information Service for data processing services

$44,337		TOTAL INTERAGENCY TRANSFERS

ACQUISITIONS AND MAJOR REPAIRS

$200,000		Replacement of 12 vehicles with over 100,000 miles

$200,000		TOTAL ACQUISITIONS AND MAJOR REPAIRS

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