U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Requests Support From Appropriations Conferees
10/01/2009 10:56AM
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(USCA) – This week the House and Senate Appropriations conferees continue to work out differences on the FY 2010 Appropriations Bill. The U.S. Cattlemen's Association (USCA) urges conferees to retain provisions in the spending measure that prohibit funding for construction of an animal disease research laboratory on the U.S. mainland and reduce funding for the National Animal Identification System (NAIS).
“USCA appreciates the hard work and time spent in drafting a FY2010 Appropriations Bill. However, with regard to specific issues USCA requests support from conferees on two critical points,” stated Jon Wooster, USCA President, San Lucas, California.
“USCA urges conferees to retain the provisions in the House-passed bill prohibiting obligation of funds for construction of the National Bio-Security and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) on the U.S. mainland until an independent risk assessment is completed by an entity other than the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)," continued Wooster. "We remain concerned about the health and environmental risks associated with moving this research laboratory to the U.S. mainland. The consequences of a disease outbreak would be catastrophic for the U.S. livestock industry. We have not been convinced that appropriate firewalls are in place to prevent such an event and we believe that moving this research laboratory to the mainland presents serious and unnecessary threats to our industry."
“Furthermore, we are concerned that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is ignoring the recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding the dangers of bringing Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) research to the U.S. mainland. Until a third party risk assessment is performed on whether FMD research can be done safely on the U.S. mainland, USCA remains opposed to relocating the NBAF,” commented Wooster.
“USCA also asks conferees to maintain language that cuts current funding in half for the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), from $14.6 million to $7.3 million,” stated Wooster.
"These are difficult economic times. It is irresponsible to continue expending funds on programs that are not working or are being rejected by producers. USCA believes a reduction or elimination of appropriations for programs like NAIS and the relocation of the NBAF sends a strong message of fiscal conservatism that will force agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture to re-examine its methods and goals for animal disease traceback programs and animal disease research.
“These issues are critical to the continued profitability and viability of U.S. cattle producers. USCA urges conferees to take meaningful and effective positions supporting cattle producers during the appropriations conference process,” concluded Wooster.