NASDA URGES MORE FUNDING FOR FOOD SAFETY AND SECURITY

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 17, 2003 – The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) has released recommendations to enhance the safety and security of the nation's food supply, and is calling on Congress and the Administration to increase funding to strengthen state and local food protection efforts.

NASDA also released two state resource surveys which were conducted by it’s affiliate organization, the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO). One survey shows the amount and distribution of federal funding to states for counter-terrorism and food safety/security activities. While almost a billion dollars in federal funds were forwarded during FY03 to the states to strengthen preparedness for terrorism response, the survey shows that little has been directed to state food security. Less than one half of one percent of these total dollars has been earmarked for state readiness at the manufacturing, processing, distribution, storage and retail levels for food.

The second survey, "State Food Safety Resource Survey," documents the extent of food safety regulatory activity conducted by state and local government agencies. In particular, the survey shows that food inspection programs at the state and local level receive less than 10 percent federal funding, yet they conduct more than 80 percent of the food establishment inspections in the United States. Some of the areas reviewed in the survey are: inspection activities, enforcement, surveillance, resources, and laboratory capacity.

Nathan L. Rudgers, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Chairman of NASDA’s Food Regulation and Nutrition Committee, emphasized that state agriculture departments strongly support ongoing efforts by Congress and the Administration to enhance the safety and security of the nation’s food supply and the agricultural production system which supports it. “As partners with the federal system, we believe it is necessary to recommit to a common mission to better coordinate, plan and share resources in matters of both food safety and security.”

NASDA’s recommendations include specific action items to increase federal funding for state and local partners to: (1) apply standards for uniform food safety and security programs; (2) enhance inspection and testing activities; (3) improve information sharing; (4) expand food-borne illness surveillance systems; and (5) establish standard training and certification of all food safety officers nationwide. NASDA’s proposals also address the long-term restructuring of existing food protection efforts, such as improved coordination and information-sharing among food safety agencies at local, state and federal levels; and enhanced emergency preparedness and response.

NASDA represents the commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the state departments of agriculture in the fifty states and four territories. The Association of Food and Drug Officials serves as the major voice for state and local government food safety officials.

Copies of the NASDA-AFDO recommendations and the surveys are posted on the NASDA website at: www.nasda.org.

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