This area includes the programmatic litigation of the Department of Agriculture, Interior, and Energy. USDA cases in this area include matters pertaining to food safety and inspection, genetically modified crops, animal and plant health and inspection, agricultural marketing and promotion programs, commodity subsidy programs, and food programs such as food stamps. The Interior Department programs in this area are generally those programs not pertaining to natural resources or Indians, Indian tribes, and Indian affairs (which are within the jurisdiction of the Environment and Natural Resources Division), including certain programs of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, programs in the former Pacific trust territories, and certain issues regarding the use of national parks. Energy Department matters have included cases involving the transportation of nuclear materials and the Energy Star program. A limited number of cases arising from energy price control programs also remain.

The statutes and government programs at issue in this area include the Food Stamp Program, the Agricultural Adjustment Act, Commodity Marketing Orders, Packers & Stockyards Act, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Animal Welfare Act, Federal Meat Inspection Act, Poultry Products Inspection Act, and Commodity Price Support programs. Area 7 does not include housing programs of the Farmers Home Administration, which fall within Area 5.

[updated April 2018]