Understanding the United States Agricultural Commodity: A Legal Overview
Definition & Meaning
The term "United States agricultural commodity" refers to agricultural products that are either fully produced in the United States or contain a significant portion of U.S.-produced components. Specifically, a product qualifies if:
- It is entirely produced in the United States, or
- At least ninety percent of its agricultural components, by weight (excluding packaging and added water), are produced in the United States, and it is recognized as a high-value agricultural product by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Additionally, fish that are harvested in U.S. waters by documented fishing vessels are also included in this definition.
Legal Use & context
This term is commonly used in agricultural law and trade regulations. It is relevant in contexts such as:
- Trade agreements and tariffs affecting agricultural products.
- Regulations concerning food labeling and marketing.
- Eligibility for federal agricultural programs and subsidies.
Users may find forms related to agricultural transactions, compliance, and regulatory submissions on platforms like US Legal Forms, which provide templates drafted by legal professionals.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Here are some examples of United States agricultural commodities:
- Example 1: A bag of corn that is grown, harvested, and processed entirely within the United States.
- Example 2: A canned tomato product that contains ninety-five percent tomatoes sourced from U.S. farms (hypothetical example).
Relevant laws & statutes
The primary legal reference for this term is:
- 7 USCS § 5602(7) - This statute defines agricultural commodities and outlines the criteria for what constitutes a U.S. agricultural commodity.