US cattlemen voice concerns on new status of APHIS
Ohio Cow producer and chairman of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattle Health and Well-Being Committee, Gary Wilson, said that that while livestock producers support the president’s proposal, they had questions about the transfer of the service to the new to the new department.
Speaking on behalf of the National Pork Producers Council and American Sheep Industry Association (NBCA), Wilson pointed to the already established close working relationship between farmers, ranchers and APHIS in meeting mutual animal health goals. Producers are concerned that moving all components of APHIS to the Department of Homeland Security could possibly disrupt critical agricultural components, and Wilson asserted that many of the functions of APHIS are critical to the future competitiveness of agriculture in the United States.
Despite these misgivings, Wilson said that livestock agriculture understands the importance of the reforms. NCBA is looking forward to working closely with members of Congress and the Administration during this significant development, formalised for the nation’s safekeeping.
