USDA Works Early to Prepare for Farm Law

January 31, 2002

Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman Wednesday said USDA agencies already were preparing to implement a new farm law once Congress approves a final bill that President Bush then signs. While there will be much work to be accomplished for implementation, and in some instances public input, Veneman said early planning is critical to the process. She made the remarks in Savannah, GA, where she had been rerouted from Kansas City where inclement weather canceled her meeting there with USDA employees.

Veneman told Farm Service Agency employees, attending a training workshop, "We are preparing ahead of time as much as we can even though we don't have a final bill. While we continue to work with Congress in completing a new farm bill, our team is already working on programming changes that may be required for implementation."

She also outlined several budget increases Bush will ask Congress to implement as part of the administration's fiscal year 2003 spending plan. A total of $131 million in new money would go to protect the nation's food supply from pests and disease. Another $49 million more will be asked for animal health monitoring, and staffing at ports of entry would be increased 55% over three years.