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Release No. 0006.02

Alisa Harrison 202-720-4623

PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL THAT BOLSTERS USDA
HOMELAND SECURITY EFFORTS

*\$367 million provided for pest and animal disease prevention, food
safety, research, and feeding programs*

WASHINGTON, January 10, 2002 -- The President today signed the Defense
Appropriations Act, which included \$367 million for the U.S. Department
of Agriculture to bolster biosecurity efforts in the wake of the
September 11 tragedies, including strengthening programs for food
safety, pest and animal disease protections and research, along with
funding for other key programs.

"These appropriations will provide important resources to help
strengthen our biosecurity efforts in the wake of September 11," said
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. "The protection of our food
supply, including guarding against pest and animal diseases, is
extremely critical. We must continue to invest in food safety programs,
research and laboratory modernization to ensure America's consumers and
food and agriculture industry are protected against any potential
threats."

Key funding includes:

-   \$105 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for
    pest and disease exclusion, detection and monitoring

-   \$80 million for upgrading USDA facilities and operational security

-   \$50 million for an animal bio-containment facility at the National
    Animal Disease Laboratory

-   \$40 million for the Agricultural Research Service

-   \$23 million for the Plum Island Animal Disease Center

-   \$15 million for security upgrades and bioterrorism protection for
    the Food Safety and Inspection Service

-   \$14 million for increased security measures at the National
    Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa

-   \$39 million for the Women, Infants and Children program to respond
    to the effects of unemployment and other conditions.

"We continue to make our protection systems a top priority," said
Veneman. "I commend the work of the Conference Committee for developing
this bipartisan resolution. These resources are important investments
that will help strengthen our protection programs."

Beginning last year, USDA has worked to enhance many of these programs
through annual budget requests and emergency appropriations.

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Secretary Veneman has repeatedly called for more long-term planning in
infrastructure programs to ensure American farmers and consumers are
protected against threats such as foot-and-mouth disease, which ravaged
the UK and parts of Europe this spring. As well, Veneman has urged
further consideration of such critical programs be examined as part of
the next farm bill.

Since September 11, USDA has worked with the newly created Office of
Homeland Security, states, other federal agencies, states and industry,
to examine immediate emergency needs and develop longer-term strategies
to continue protecting America's food and agricultural systems.

"We will continue to coordinate with the Office of Homeland Security and
other federal agencies, particularly the Department of Health and Human
Services, to utilize these additional resources most effectively,"
Veneman said. "We formed the USDA Homeland Security Council to help
coordinate antiterrorism efforts across all USDA program areas and with
other federal and state agencies."

For more information on USDA's homeland security efforts, please visit
the Department's biosecurity website at:
[www.usda.gov/biosecurity](http://www.usda.gov/biosecurity).

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