Grassley Announces $58 Million for Iowa APHIS Programs in President's Budget


Includes Funding for National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Amesm


? Sen. Chuck Grassley today announced that Iowa will receive approximately $58 million for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) programs?including the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames-- under President Bush's 2003 budget, to be released Monday.

"This is great news for Iowa," Grassley said. "These programs help ensure the health and care of animal agriculture, including valuable research on livestock disease at the National Veterinary Services Lab. The funding will help modernize the lab and continue its vital role in maintaining animal health in the United States."

Grassley said he worked with administration officials to allocate the APHIS funding for Iowa as part of the president's 2003 budget. In discussions with the Office of Management and Budget this week, Grassley stressed the importance APHIS programs in Iowa, particularly research at the National Veterinary Services Labs.

"The lab's research is critical to meeting challenges faced by the livestock industry today and maintaining our country's preeminent position in animal agriculture tomorrow," Grassley said.