U.S. Cattlemen Urge Caution and Analysis of Bio-Defense Lab Relocation

The PIADC is located on Plum Island, 840 acres that lie 1.5 miles from Orient Point, NY and 9 miles from Old Saybrook, CT. Built in the 1950's the PIADC biocontainment facilities currently operate at a Biosafety Level 3. According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) fact sheets, a design study is exploring the option of expanding the scope of the PIADC to a Biosafety Level 4 facility, to include non-clinical testing and development of security medical countermeasures by the Department of Health and Human Services.

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 transferred ownership of the PIADC from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to the DHS. PIADC is the nation’s designated facility for studying and responding to foreign animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever. While DHS is responsible for operating PIADC, both DHS and USDA conduct programs there as part of an integrated agro-defense strategy.

"Several of the sites being considered for the new bio-defense research facility are located in America’s heartland, where a majority of livestock production occurs," noted Jon Wooster, USCA President. "Any release of the foot and mouth disease virus would have a devastating effect on the U.S. livestock industry as demonstrated by a recent Kansas State University study. It is unreasonable to consider relocation of a laboratory that handles the most dangerous animal diseases in the world from Plum Island to the heart of our nation’s agriculture production until the appropriate environmental and economic impact studies are fully completed and the people in the region have had ample time to comment on the matter."

A recent federal audit criticized the Department of Homeland Security for not conducting a study on whether FMD research can be done safely on the mainland.

"The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently noted that no one is responsible for determining the aggregate risks associated with the expansion of these animal disease research laboratories," said Wooster. "When these analyses are complete we may discover that the most appropriate location for the Bio-Level 3 Plum Island facility is on Plum Island. USCA urges federal officials and congressional delegations to slow this process down and scrutinize the associated risks and impacts before any decisions are made."

Established in March 2007, USCA is committed to concentrating its efforts in Washington, DC to enhance and expand the cattle industry’s voice on Capitol Hill. USCA has a full-time presence in Washington, giving cattle producers across the country a strong influence on policy development. For more information go to www.uscattlemen.org.