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AGRICULTURE SECRETARY TOM VILSACK ASKED LAWMAKERS FOR UNDERSTANDING AND FLEXIBILITY DURING TIGHT
BUDGET TIMES AT A HEARING ON USDA’S PROPOSED TWENTY-THIRTEEN BUDGET.While the budget that
we propose does increase over last year, I would like to point out that it is several
billion dollars less than it was in Two Thousand and Ten, and that has resulted in us at USDA
taking a look very carefully at the ways in which we expend tax payer resources. SUBCOMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN KOHL ASKED IF PROPOSED FUNDING FOR THE WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN, OR WIC, NUTRITION
PROGRAM WOULD BE SUFFICIENT.Mr. Chairman we do believe that it is adequate. We do believe
that it is based on accurate estimates. We don’t expect to see quite the high level
of food price increase that we experienced last year. KOHL ALSO ASKED ABOUT A PROPOSED
POUTLRY INSPECTION SYSTEM. VILSACK SAID THE NEW INSPECTION SYSTEM SHOULD MAKE FOOD SAFER.
And the reason for this is based on the fact that we have had a number of pilot facilities
around the country for a number of years use this new system that we’re proposing and
from that the data suggests that we can save fifty two hundred food borne illness incidences
as a result of this new system. QUESTIONED ABOUT CUTS TO COUNTY OFFICES AND
RESEARCH FUNDING, VILSACK SAID THESE WERE TOUGH DECISIONS.When Congress is basically
telling us, as we have heard repeatedly, that we’re going to have less money, when we’re
talking about a trillion, a trillion and a half dollar cut that’s forthcoming, these
are hard decisions. FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE I’M
BOB ELLISON.