May 16, 2006

US Congress demands accountability for animal identification system

The US Congress would be demanding an account of the US$84.7 million spent on the National Animal Identification System from the USDA before debating an additional funding of US$33.1 million this week.

Congress noted that US$84.7 million had been spent last year on the National Animal Identification System and would most likely withhold additional funding until Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns provides the committee with a complete and detailed plan including cost estimates and means of program evaluation.

USDA said that it is committed to a transparent process and has made every effort to make information available to the public and share it with Congress.

However, the House committee did commit to funding two livestock identification programmes at a total cost of US$2.6 million 

In addition, a motion to get approval of an amendment that would have allowed Creekstone and other meat processors to conduct voluntary tests for mad-cow  disease was defeated.

While funding for the Agricultural Research Service fell by US$49 million from last year to US$1.2 billion, funding for the Food Safety & Inspection Service rose to US$853 million, US$24 million more than this year.