NCBA cheers USDA appropriations

Washington-The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) applaudsthe House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee for securing $40 millionin funds to modernize the National Animal Health Facility in Ames, Iowa.

NCBA says, "Congressman Tom Latham (R-IA) and Congressman HenryBonilla (R-TX) played important roles in acquiring this funding for a facilitythat will house the Agricultural Research Service National Animal DiseaseCenter (NADC), APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) andthe APHIS Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB).

"Congressman Bonilla's leadership and initiative on this issue aregreatly appreciated," says Bryan Dierlam, NCBA director of legislativeaffairs.

Dierlam adds that modern facilities are a key component of any strategyfor foreign animal disease prevention and management. The government needssufficient resources to protect U.S. livestock. The new facility is essentialto maintaining the United State's preeminent position in animal diseaseprevention, research and eradication.

The proposed facility will replace existing USDA facilities in Ames.This is the second year funding has been provided for the modernizationof the National Animal Health Center. First year funding was $9 million.