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Veneman meets with Iowa cattle producers
Iowa
Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman met Jan. 13 with leadership of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association, state ag officials, and distinguished guests at ICA headquarters in Ames, Iowa.
Veneman arrived at ICA headquarters Tuesday afternoon to discuss the BSE issue with cattle producers, only 21 days following the announcement of the first BSE case in the United States. This was the first state cattlemen's association that Secretary Veneman has had a personal visit with since Dec. 23.
Veneman's stop was the first time a U.S. agriculture secretary has visited the ICA headquarters. She was warmly welcomed by Bob Johnson, ICA president and Joel Brinkmeyer, executive vice president.
"We appreciate your support for the cattle industry and USDA's efforts to maintain consumer confidence in the past few weeks," said Brinkmeyer.
Veneman made some brief remarks to those assembled in the ICA board room.
"Three weeks ago today, we received the dreaded call that confirmed a case of BSE in Washington state. We have worked non-stop since then because the most important thing we do at USDA is protect the food supply, whether it's from natural disasters, insects or an animal disease," said Veneman.
She said the new safety measures quickly put in place by USDA are designed to protect consumers and assure them that the U.S. beef supply is safe and wholesome.
ICA President Bob Johnson expressed his thanks to Veneman for USDA's quick actions and coordination with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the media.
"USDA's response has helped to maintain consumer confidence, provide solid information for our producers, and stabilize the current beef market," said Johnson, a cattle feeder from Andover, Iowa.
A short question-and-answer period followed Veneman's remarks. The ICA members expressed serious concerns about losses taken in the beef industry and future profitability. The discussion during the meeting focused on implementation of the new USDA regulations and cattle producers' concerns regarding opening of markets.
Veneman assured producers that USDA is working with other nations to reopen their markets to U.S. beef. She said the Bush administration is working closely with Mexican officials to reopen their border.
The U.S. agriculture secretary was also in Ames to announce that USDA will provide $178 million to fund the expansion of the National Animal Disease Center in Ames. Congressman Tom Latham, member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, was in attendance at the ICA meeting to further discuss the NADC announcement.
"Secretary Veneman, we greatly appreciate your announcement to fully fund the expansion of the Ames Lab. This is one of the items that we can take off the priority list of the ICA and the NCBA," says Brinkmeyer.
In addition to the ICA leadership who attended the meeting with Secretary Veneman, honorary guests included U.S. Congressman Tom Latham, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Patty Judge, Deputy Iowa Agriculture Secretary Brent Halling, State of Iowa Veterinarian John Schiltz, USDA-FSA State Executive Director Derryl McLaren, and Iowa Representative Steve Olson.
Date: 1/22/04
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