Aderholt Questions Under Secretary Hagen and Administrator Almanza on Food Inspector Furloughs

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Chairman of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Subcommittee on the House Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen and Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) Administrator Alfred Almanza testified before the Subcommittee today.

“Typically the Subcommittee would review FSIS’s budget request for FY14, however the lack of a budget proposal from the President has made that impossible,” said Aderholt. “That said, between Secretary Vilsack’s varying reports of the impact sequestration will have on FSIS Inspectors and the Subcommittee’s oversight responsibilities there were still many questions to ask Dr. Hagen and Administrator Almanza today.”

“FSIS is assigned with the unquestionably important task of ensuring our nation’s meat, poultry and processed egg products are safe, wholesome and correctly labeled and packaged for consumers. With this in mind, the Administration has been using FSIS and inspector furloughs as one of their sky-is-falling scare tactics regarding the sequester cuts. Understanding that furlough days are still possible, the Administration has a choice. It is my hope that the Administration understands that the campaign season is over and it is time to govern in the best interest of the country.”

“Unfortunately, even after today’s hearing we are still lacking a clear answer on how many days per pay period inspectors will be furloughed, when those furloughs will begin and how they will impact our nation’s producers and food supply. I hope that the Department can find a reasonable and responsible way to meet the challenges about sequestration, while minimizing the impact on frontline inspectors, the industry, and our nation’s commercial meat and poultry supply,” concluded Aderholt.

Aderholt currently serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies for the powerful House Appropriations Committee, is a member of the Committee’s Commerce, Justice and Science; and Homeland Security Subcommittees, and also serves on the Helsinki Commission.

For more information about Aderholt’s work in Congress visit www.aderholt.house.gov.