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NIAA chief praises Veneman's tenure as
U.S. Agriculture Secretary
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- "The announcement of Ann Veneman's departure from the
post of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) brings reflection on her leadership during the past four years and a realization of the many
accomplishments achieved during her tenure," said Glenn Slack, president and
chief executive officer of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture.
Slack cited some of Veneman's accomplishments that have been important to animal agriculture, which include:
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Helping to reverse a White House plan for the complete transfer of the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service from USDA to the new Department
of Homeland Security; and fostering a strong working relationship with Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, resulting in a greater understanding
of agroterrorism threats and protecting the food supply.
o Safeguards put in place against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), bovine
spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and other emerging and foreign animal disease threats, as well as her agency's overall handling of the first
positive diagnosis of BSE in the United States.
o Her call for immediate implementation of a National System for Animal
Identification (NAIS) to provide a standardized, national numbering system
to assist animal health officials with tracing diseased animals back to their point of origin. Her call was backed up with substantial funding
commitments to make it happen, and a state-federal-industry approach to develop the systems' framework was embraced by USDA.
o
Passage of the Animal Health Protection Act in 2002, which consolidates
and revises statutes relating the USDA's authority to deal with animal health issues.
o Unprecedented commitment to building a world-class animal health infrastructure in the United States (animal disease surveillance, research
and diagnostics), hallmarked by several hundred million dollars for construction of the new National Centers for Animal Health in Ames, Iowa.
Slack points out that the threats of accidental or unintentional incursions of emerging and foreign animal diseases, coupled with a new era
of intentional threats by would-be terrorists seeking to harm U.S. agricultural production and the food supply, have never been greater than
during the Veneman era at USDA.
"We are thankful for the progress Secretary Veneman and her associates have
made for agriculture in safeguarding animal health and food safety," Slack
said. "Ultimately, our industry is better prepared for disease prevention
and response because of that."
Speaking to industry professionals at NIAA's March 2002 annual meeting, some
six months after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Veneman commended
the organization for bringing different parties to the table to talk about
how to improve food and agricultural systems. "That's the type of cooperation we need throughout all of our programs," she said. "It's
(cooperation) important to address agroterrorism and other industry issues
and look to the future of animal agriculture."
"We can only hope that her successor will bring a similar commitment of safeguarding animal agriculture in order to maintain the superiority of U.S.
agriculture and food products," Slack said.
The National Institute for Animal Agriculture provides a forum for building
consensus and advancing solutions for animal agriculture and provides continuing education and communication linkages to animal agriculture
professionals. NIAA is dedicated to programs that: work towards the eradication of diseases that pose risk to the health of animals, wildlife
and humans; promote a safe and wholesome food supply for our nation and abroad; and promote best practices in environmental stewardship, animal
health and well-being. Visit us on the Internet at www.animalagriculture.org, or call 270-782-9798.
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