Statement by NCBA Regarding Secretary Veneman’s Announcement onEmergency Animal Disease Preparedness

Washington (October 16, 2001)--“The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applauds the decision by Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to distribute approximately $2 million in grants, to 32 states, to bolster emergency animal disease prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery systems.

“NCBA commends Secretary Veneman’s work to ensure appropriate measures are in place to prevent foreign animal diseases. Recent events in the United States and other countries illustrate how important it is to direct resources to the evaluation of the food production process; establish and maintain surveillance systems to address potential threats, and have an infrastructure ready to act when needed. The United States government is indicating it is serious about keeping America’s food safe from intentional and unintentional hazards.”

The Secretary has indicated that grants will be used to help states better prepare and coordinate emergency preparedness activities and for coordination related to animal disease protection. Funding will be used for training, equipment purchases, and to conduct emergency preparedness exercises to help strengthen these important programs.

Grants have been awarded to: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

States participating in the grant program will use the money to assist in meeting and exceeding animal disease response standards set by a steering committee of the National Animal Health Emergency Management System (NAHEMS).

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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.