Us Code § 5694 - Staff of Foreign Agricultural Service

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 5694 — Staff of Foreign Agricultural Service, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5694. Staff of Foreign Agricultural Service

(a) Personnel of Service

To ensure that the agricultural export programs of the United States are carried out in an effective manner, the authorized number of personnel for the Service shall not be less than 900 staff years each fiscal year.

(b) Rank of Foreign Agricultural Service officers in foreign missions

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of State shall, on the request of the Secretary of Agriculture, accord the diplomatic title of Minister-Counselor to the senior Service officer assigned to any United States mission abroad. The number of Service officers holding such diplomatic title at any time may not exceed twelve.

(Pub. L. 95–501, title V, §504, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XV, §1531, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3686.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in subsec. (b) of this section appear in the following appropriation acts:

Pub. L. 101–506, title IV, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1343.

Pub. L. 100–202, §101(k) [title IV, §401], Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1329–322, 1329–350.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Language Proficiency and Evaluation of Foreign Agricultural Service Officers

Pub. L. 101–624, title XV, §1556, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3698, as amended by Pub. L. 104–127, title II, §281(b), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 980, provided that:

"(a) Assessment of Foreign Language Competence.—The Foreign Agricultural Service shall revise its evaluation reports for its Foreign Service officers so as to require in a separate entry an assessment of the officer's effectiveness in using, in his or her work, a foreign language or foreign languages tested at the General Professional Speaking Proficiency level or above, in cases where the supervisor is capable of making such an assessment.

"(b) Precedence in Promotion.—The Director of Personnel of the Foreign Agricultural Service shall instruct promotion panels to take account of language ability and, all criteria for promotion otherwise being equal, to give precedence in promotions to officers who have achieved at least the General Professional Speaking Proficiency level in 1 or more foreign languages over officers who lack that level of proficiency."

About This Section

7 U.S.C. § 5694 is part of Title 7 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 7 U.S.C. § 5694. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Related Us Code Legal Topics

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 5694

What does United States Code § 5694 cover?

Section 5694 ("Staff of Foreign Agricultural Service") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 5694?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 5694" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 5694 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.