DeLauro Responds to New USDA Initiatives

WASHINGTON, DC-- Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Chairwoman of the Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Subcommittee today released the following statement in response to the new USDA initiatives:

"I am pleased with the worthy initiatives set forth tonight by Secretary Vilsack for the five agencies that are key in fulfilling one of our greatest responsibilities, the health and well-being of our nation's children: the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Farm Service Agency (FSA), and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). By implementing higher standards, stricter parameters, better communication, and an elevated level of quality over all, this is a good step forward in their fight to ensure food safety in our schools. I am pleased that the USDA is prioritizing these issues, and I look forward to examining the details of these proposals. "However, I am concerned that these proposals do not address the systemic problems that present barriers to protecting our food supply. I believe this announcement, which utilizes five different agencies, highlights the need for a single, independent food safety agency to implement the necessary changes to protect the public health, and especially that of our children. So while I commend Secretary Vilsack for bringing these issues to the forefront of the USDA's focus, I urge him to keep moving forward."