17.1 Introduction
The NASDA State-Federal Program Review Task Force recommends that the principles contained in the following document be used by the state departments of agriculture as a guide when considering cooperative programs with USDA and other federal agencies. These principles were patterned after the partnership concept used by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
This document is intended to define what is meant when we use the term "partnership agreement" and is specifically intended to be used in the development of written negotiated "Partnership Agreements" with state and local agencies, as well as associations of officials of such agencies.
The fundamental goals and process concepts can also be applied to partnerships with other federal agencies, educational and research organizations, trade and industry associations as well as consumer groups, the media and other organizations where it is beneficial to develop cooperative efforts on either an ad hoc or continuing basis.