US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

7 U.S.C. § 1727a

Eligible countries

(a)

Least developed countries

A country shall be considered to be a least developed country and eligible for the donation of agricultural commodities under this subchapter if—
(1)
such country meets the poverty criteria established by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development for Civil Works Preference for providing financial assistance; or
(2)
such country is a food deficit country and is characterized by high levels of malnutrition among significant numbers of its population, as determined by the Administrator under subsection (b).
(b)

Indicators of food deficit countries

To make a finding under subsection (a)(2) that a country is a food deficit country and is characterized by high levels of malnutrition, the Administrator must determine that the country meets all of the following indicators of national food deficit and malnutrition:
(1)

Calorie consumption

That the daily per capita calorie consumption of the country is less than 2300 calories.

(2)

Food security requirements

That the country cannot meet its food security requirements through domestic production or imports due to a shortage of foreign exchange earnings.

(3)

Child mortality rate

That the mortality rate of children under 5 years of age in the country is in excess of 100 per 1000 births.

(c)

Priority

In determining whether and to what extent agricultural commodities shall be made available to least developed countries under this subchapter, the Administrator shall give priority to countries that—
(1)
demonstrate the greatest need for food;
(2)
demonstrate the capacity to use food assistance effectively;
(3)
have demonstrated a commitment to policies to promote food security, including policies to reduce measurably hunger and malnutrition through efforts such as establishing and institutionalizing supplemental nutrition programs targeted to reach those who are nutritionally at risk; and
(4)
have a long-term plan for broad-based, equitable, and sustainable development.

July 10, 1954, ch. 469Pub. L. 95–88, title II, § 211(a)(2)91 Stat. 549Pub. L. 96–53, title II, § 20593 Stat. 369Pub. L. 99–83, title X, § 1004(b)99 Stat. 271Pub. L. 99–198, title XI, § 110899 Stat. 1467Pub. L. 101–624, title XV, § 1512104 Stat. 3642(, title III, § 302, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

act July 10, 1954, ch. 469, title III68 Stat. 458section 1431 of this titlePub. L. 95–88, title II, § 211(a)(1)91 Stat. 548A prior section 302 of , , which amended , was renumbered section 309 by , , .

Amendments

Pub. L. 101–6241990— amended section generally, substituting present provisions for provisions setting out criteria for eligibility of developing countries for distribution of commodities, minimum aggregate value of agreements for such distribution, waiver of minimum, and participatory requirements.

Pub. L. 99–1981985—Subsec. (c)(1)(C). substituted “10” for “15” percent.

Pub. L. 99–83Subsec. (c)(4). inserted “and of United States nonprofit voluntary agencies and cooperatives”.

Pub. L. 96–531979—Subsec. (c)(4). added par. (4).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–624section 1513 of Pub. L. 101–624section 1691 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1985 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–83section 1301 of Pub. L. 99–83section 2151–1 of Title 22Amendment by effective , see , set out as a note under , Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Effective Date of 1979 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–53section 512(a) of Pub. L. 96–53section 2151 of Title 22Amendment by effective , see , set out as a note under , Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Effective Date

section 215 of Pub. L. 95–88section 1702 of this titleSection effective , see , set out as an Effective Date of 1977 Amendment note under .