Grassley has called on USDA repeatedly in the past several months to support modernization of the Ames facilities. At the end of April, Grassley sent a letter strongly urging Veneman to release the required USDA study on the scope and need of the modernization project. The report, which was due on March 1 of this year, was required before $9 million in initial design funds could be released.
"I'm pleased that USDA has finally released the report. Now is the time to move forward with modernization plans so that the Ames facilities can meet the challenges faced by the livestock industry today and maintain our country's position in animal agriculture for tomorrow. America's farmers can't afford anymore lost time."
A plan to modernize and update the Ames facilities came together in 1998. The plan brings together the National Animal Disease Center, National Vet Services Laboratory and Center for Veterinary Biologics. The facilities update will address the structural inadequacies of the existing facilities and the overall needs for animal health work. The Center must be able to address the many changes occurring in animal health such as emerging animal diseases, threats to human welfare, changes in international trade practices, and development of new international standards for safety and animal handling.
The USDA report states that if facilities in Ames aren't modernized both the Agricultural Research Service and the Animal and Plan Health Inspection Service could lose their ability to respond effectively to animal disease emergencies. It also says that the research in Ames could not easily be done elsewhere within USDA because of the safety concerns and precautions necessary to work with animal pathogens.
Of the four project funding alternatives proposed in the report, the accelerated implementation of the original plan offers the taxpayers and the livestock industry the best option. Under this $430 million plan, construction would be completed in late 2006 at a savings of $9.9 million. Economies are achieved from reduced cost escalation. The original modernization plan would not be completed until the later part of 2010 at a cost of $439.9 million. The other two options also would not be completed until 2010, but would cost significantly more due to construction in phases and a lack of coordination between federal agencies.
In April, Grassley secured language in the Budget Conference Report that gives priority toward modernizing the National Animal Disease Center and National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
"I'm fully committed to doing all I can to help get USDA funding for this important project. With the new developments of Foot and Mouth Disease and Mad Cow Disease, it's critical that we have superior facilities. The NADC scientists are the best in the world and they deserve the best facilities where they can combat the diseases that threaten animal health in the United States," Grassley said.