Bush Seeks $45.2 Million USDA Budget for Biosecurity
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced that President Bush has proposed the allocation of $45.2 million to USDA as part of a $20 billion submission to Congress for emergency funding to strengthen essential programs and services related to biosecurity issues.
"The president's proposed emergency funding for USDA will help advance the next phase of our emergency preparedness activities and will help meet our critical infrastructure needs," said Veneman. "We have taken the appropriate steps to date to ensure the critical needs for USDA are met, however, we must remain vigilant in protecting our nation's food and agriculture."
The proposed USDA funding would support enhanced security for USDA facilities ($17.2 million); design and construction of a satellite facility at the USDA laboratory in Ames, Iowa for research activities ($14.1 million); technical assistance to state, local, federal, and private sector entities to improve biosecurity ($5.0 million); and
education and training to strengthen response mechanisms to potential food supply threats, improve data collection and dissemination, and other biosecurity activities ($8.9 million).
"The president's proposed emergency funding for USDA will help advance the next phase of our emergency preparedness activities and will help meet our critical infrastructure needs," said Veneman. "We have taken the appropriate steps to date to ensure the critical needs for USDA are met, however, we must remain vigilant in protecting our nation's food and agriculture."
The proposed USDA funding would support enhanced security for USDA facilities ($17.2 million); design and construction of a satellite facility at the USDA laboratory in Ames, Iowa for research activities ($14.1 million); technical assistance to state, local, federal, and private sector entities to improve biosecurity ($5.0 million); and
education and training to strengthen response mechanisms to potential food supply threats, improve data collection and dissemination, and other biosecurity activities ($8.9 million).