2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, hereinafter referred to as ARS, and the COOPERATOR, hereinafter jointly referred to as “the Participants,” hereby affirm their mutual interest in and desire to broaden cooperative research programs and exchanges. The Participants recognize that cooperation is a matter of working together toward common goals of mutual interest, mutual understanding, and efficient administration of cooperative programs. Nothing in this broad understanding is to be construed as interfering in any way with the basic responsibilities and authority of either party for independent action. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) defines in general terms the basis for which the Participants will cooperate. Individual projects may be developed between the Participants which outline specific research projects. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): The purpose of this agreement is to strengthen the collaborations between the Participants in areas of mutual interest through cooperative research programs and exchanges. To this end, the Participants agree jointly to explore and coordinate research activities of mutual interest which will be implemented by mutual understanding and in conformity with the regulations and policies of both Participants. 3.Progress Report: This research relates to inhouse project objective 1. Develop methods and instruments to identify food safety hazards throughout various stages of poultry and egg production and processing, 2. Detect and characterize foodborne pathogens, toxins, and bacterial threat agents with rapid optical methods, and 3. Develop and evaluate detection methods for foodborne pathogens and toxins with nanotechnology. ARS scientist has worked with Office of International Research Program (ORIP) to explore and coordinate research activities of mutual interest. Scientists from Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) proposed activities such as workshop and visiting ARS research laboratory. Both ARS and KFDA scientists are preparing action plan to develop collaborating research projects.