---

Stockgrowers urge DHS to reconsider diagnostic laboratory move

South Dakota

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association very strongly opposes the Department of Homeland Security's plan to move the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, which has been renamed the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, to the mainland United States.

This facility is presently located on Plum Island, N.Y., where it is surrounded by natural barriers eliminating the chance of pathogens from research animals reaching the mainland.

The Stockgrowers understand the monetary reason for making the move to Manhattan, Kansas, however, as stated by Stockgrower President Kenny Fox, Belvidere, "You cannot possibly compare the dollar amount spent to upgrade the Plum Island facility to the financial and emotional devastation that would occur if diseased pathogens from a research project leaked into the nearby countryside."

According to USDA's 2008 National Agricultural Statistics Service, the cattle population of Kansas is 6.7 million, approximately 7 percent of the total U.S. population of 96.6 million cattle.

Fox further stated "One mistake or one tornado causing devastation of 7 percent of our national heard does not justify any amount of financial difference between the two locations."

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association strongly urges the Department of Homeland Security to consider all aspects of a move that would jeopardize the entire national herd of cattle, notwithstanding all other livestock.

Click for related articles

Livestock can help rangelands recover from fires
Keys may unlock cellular doors to marbling mysteries
Industry changes focus of Animal Manure Management Conference
UW ranch practicum generates characteristics of high-return rancher
Super-sized cows require appropriate management
Iowa biodiesel leaders express need for workable RFS-2 Program to EPA officials

---

article 2009- 42 - 0918SDSGAurgenomoveplumisla.cfm

Reader Comments bell19 — 11/03/2009 10:11:49 its not a good idea for it to move to k-state. think if a disease got really bad, you are putting the testing center right in the middle of cattle contry. if a diease spreds its going to go right into the cattle. at least on plum island it would be water locked and it could go anywhere. think about this before you go moving a disase center to the middle of the counry where it could harm a lot more people than on a litttle 840 acre island Reader Comments bell19 — 11/03/2009 10:11:49 its not a good idea for it to move to k-state. think if a disease got really bad, you are putting the testing center right in the middle of cattle contry. if a diease spreds its going to go right into the cattle. at least on plum island it would be water locked and it could go anywhere. think about this before you go moving a disase center to the middle of the counry where it could harm a lot more people than on a litttle 840 acre island Reader Comments farmgirl578 — 10/10/2009 10:10:54 I'm glad the NBAF is coming to Manhattan. It will speed up response time in case of any animal disease outbreaks. K-State has a long history of excellent animal health research. NBAF will be a great addition to that. Add Your Comment To post a comment on this story, enter your screen name and email address then click "Add Comment." Your email address will not be displayed. 747 Recommend | 3 Comments

---

	Web hpj.com

Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011.  High Plains Publishers, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com