RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL COUNTERMEASURES.

SEC. 14121. [7 U.S.C. 8921] RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL COUNTERMEASURES. (a) Grant Program.— (1) Competitive grant program.—The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant program to encourage basic and applied research and the development of qualified agricultural countermeasures. (2) Waiver in emergencies.—The Secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph (1) that a grant be provided on a competitive basis if— (A) the Secretary has declared a plant or animal disease emergency under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) or the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.); and (B) waiving the requirement would lead to the rapid development of a qualified agricultural countermeasure, as determined by the Secretary. (b) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— (1) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013; and (2) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023.