September 25, 2009

US' key agriculture groups and veterinary experts have urged Congress that America must move forward without delay to construct a research facility to protect the food supply and agriculture economy.

In supporting fiscal year 2010 funding for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in line with President Obama's budget request, the groups are emphasising the urgency of the research mission.

The security of America's food supply and agricultural economy was of paramount importance, not only to farmers and ranchers but also to every US citizen. The NBAF offered an opportunity for the integrated research, development, testing and evaluation that would provide needed solutions to natural and deliberate biothreats against agriculture and public health. Furthermore, it would keep US agriculture competitive and allow the US to regain the position as a world leader in advanced diagnostic capabilities, American Farm Bureau Federation said.

Foreign animal disease research, diagnostics, and control were complex and multifaceted, and the new facility could protect US livestock, livestock producers and consumers, National Cattlemen's Beef Association said.

It was necessary to move forward with building this facility at Kansas State University to research high-consequence biological threats involving zoonotic and foreign animal diseases, California Farm Bureau Federation said.

Momentum on the NBAF must continue without delay if the government was serious about food safety and public health in America, said W. Ron DeHaven, DVM, MBA, executive vice president and CEO of the American Veterinary Medical Association.