Karen Eggert (301) 734-7280
Angela Harless (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON FOREIGN ANIMAL AND POULTRY DISEASES
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2007--The Secretary of Agriculture’s advisory committee on foreign animal and poultry diseases meets August 21 to discuss the U.S. animal health emergency management system and the United States response to foreign animal diseases worldwide. The meeting is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Jamie L. Whitten Building, 12th Street and Jefferson Drive S.W., Room 107-A, Washington, D.C.
The committee, which is comprised of animal health experts from universities, industry and state departments of agriculture, advises the Secretary of Agriculture on actions necessary to prevent the introduction of foreign livestock and poultry diseases into the United States. In addition, the committee advises the Secretary on contingency planning and on maintaining a state of preparedness to deal with these diseases, if introduced.
Additional information about the meeting can be obtained by contacting Bethany O’Brien, acting director, interagency coordination, emergency management, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services’ veterinary services program, 4700 River Road, Unit 41, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1231; (301) 734-0825.
Notice of the public meeting was published in the Aug. 2 Federal Register.
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