Department of Agriculture Office of Assistant Secretary for Administration Washington, DC, 20250-0100

November 17, 1994

Ms. Debby Moore Founder, President & Hemp Fashion Designer Kansas Environmentalists for Commerce in Hemp 2742 E. 2nd Wichita, KS, 67214

Dear Ms. Moore:

Thank you for your letter of October 9, 1994, regarding the Secretary of Agriculture’s responsibilities under Executive Order (E.O.) 12919. I had my Staff investigate your inquiry and they provided the following information.

Under the authority delegated by E.O. 12919, the Secretary of Agriculture can establish priorities in the production and allocation of “food resources”, only if the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy or the Director of Federal Emergency Management Agency determines in writing that the exercise of this authority is necessary to promote the national defense. As of this date, no determination has been made to exercise this authority.

E.O. 12919 also delegates to the Secretary of Agriculture authority to make a finding, subject to the President’s approval, to carry out certain provisions of the Defense Production Act of 1950. The Department of Agriculture has not requested initiation of any activities related to the Defense Production Act of 1950 at this time.

Please understand that neither the Defense Production Act of 1950 nor E.O. 12919 contains any provision for the public to petition for the priority production of commodities of any kind.

I hope that this letter answers your questions.

Sincerely,

Wardell C. Townsend, Jr. Assistant Secretary for Administration.