Date: 4/14/2010

Title: NCBA Responds to OIG Audit of Residue Program

DENVER - “Raising the safest and highest quality beef in the world is a top priority for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and we fully support the critical role of the federal government in ensuring beef safety throughout the production chain. While the U.S. beef supply is extraordinarily safe by any nation’s standards, we take seriously any potential food safety concern. That is why the beef industry is constantly looking for ways to improve the systems that ensure the safest product possible for our consumers. FDA and FSIS play important and distinct roles in the safety process. We believe in the ongoing evaluation of and improvement to this process, based on science and in close coordination with industry. It is critical that the federal government continue funding food safety research at a high level, focusing on the validation of safety systems and process controls to reduce any potential hazards."