CATTLEMEN OPPOSE NEW BIOTERRORISM BILL

WASHINGTON (Nov. 29, 2001) – A new proposed bioterrorism bill adds additional government bureaucracy and gives authority to the wrong agency, according to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). In a letter to Congress, NCBA expressed the concerns of the industry and urged Senators to carefully consider them when examining the bill.

“It is important to the beef industry for the agency most familiar with the needs and demands of agriculture to have jurisdiction over these issues,” NCBA Associate Director, Food Policy Sonia Voldseth said. “The Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 (S. 1715) would shift the authority from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture – an agency familiar with the industry – to the Dept. of Health and Human Services – an agency with little experience in the cattle industry.”

The Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 (S. 1715) attempts to broaden the authority of the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS). Should S. 1715 become law, it would usurp the USDA’s authority in issues involving biosecurity and food safety.

The beef industry relies heavily on the USDA, the agency responsible for meat, poultry and eggs, as well as consumer food safety. It is important that the USDA be allowed to maintain its role in food safety when issues of biosecurity arise.

Introduced by Senators Bill Frist and Ted Kennedy, the bill was referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Nov. 15. It requires committee approval before receiving full Senate debate.

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the  trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.