AVMA: Maintain Proper Funding Levels, Pass H.R. 2112 Quickly

WASHINGTON, Nov. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) urged Senate and House conferees to quickly pass H.R. 2112, the consolidated appropriations package, and to maintain the agriculture funding levels set in the Senate version of the bill.

H.R. 2112 includes consolidated appropriations for the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Commerce, Justice, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as related programs, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012. 

AVMA supports funding for USDA programs that play critical roles in increasing access to veterinary services; advancing animal research; ensuring animal welfare; fostering training and education of veterinarians working on the front lines to protect public and animal health and defend the nation against agroterrorism; and securing our nation's food supply.

In a letter sent today to House and Senate conferees, Dr. Mark Lutschaunig, AVMA Governmental Relations Division director, applauded lawmakers for including needed funding for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program, the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, and for Animal Health and Disease Research.

AVMA urged lawmakers to oppose and remove language that would disrupt the Food and Drug Administration's approval process of genetically engineered salmon.

Also, AVMA asked that language preventing the USDA from resuming inspections of horse-processing facilities be removed.  

Additionally, the AVMA strongly supports a well-funded Animal Disease Traceability system that is essential to trace a diseased animal back to its farm of origin within 48 hours of a discovered infection, which is critical to controlling disease outbreak and eradicating the disease. 

Citing the harmful effects of deep cuts to funding levels for animal and agriculture research programs that are integral to this nation's food safety and economy, Dr. Lutschaunig urged conferees to prioritize funding for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Food Safety Inspection Service, Agricultural Research Service and the Agriculture and Food Research Institute, as well as the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA.

To read more about AVMA's Congressional activities, visit www.avma.org.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 81,500 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association