News Release
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Contact:
NIAA Staff, 270-782-9798 |
NIAA
urges continued funding for modernization of USDA animal health facilities
in Ames, Iowa
The
National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) is urging members of
Congress to support FY 2003 funding in the amount of $58 million for the
USDA Consolidation and Modernization Master Plan. The
facility, when completed, will replace outdated facilities currently used
by the USDA Agricultural Research Service' National Animal Disease Center
(ARS-NADC), the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service' National
Veterinary Services Laboratories (APHIS-NVSL) and the Center for
Veterinary Biologics (APHIS-CVB).
"These functions are a critical part of the infrastructure
needed to safeguard the health and well being of our domestic livestock
populations," stated NIAA Chairman of the Board Dr. Kenneth Olson in
a Nov. 14th letter to key congressional members. The
$58 million amount, which was recommended by the House Appropriations
Committee, is said to represent the halfway point in funding for the
master plan.
Funding for the master plan was not included in the President's
FY'03 budget request. The
funds will be used for partial construction of a biosafety level 3 (BL3)
high security laboratory that will enable USDA scientists to work with
pathogens that require higher levels of security.
Many of these pathogens are potential bioterrorism agents or are
economically significant animal diseases.
The facilities will enhance U.S. preparedness for an agroterrrorism
or bioterrorism emergency.
"In
light of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, the anthrax attacks in the
past year, and the emergence or reemergence of serious animal diseases
domestically and among our trading partners, it is even more imperative
that we have a facility that will meet the urgent national needs for
research, diagnosis and product evaluation related to animal health,"
said Olson. Congress
is expected to pass an agriculture appropriations bill in the coming days. # |
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