By The
Associated Press
10/27/2001
The $73.8 billion agriculture bill approved by the Senate
this week includes a number of projects that would benefit Iowa.
WHAT'S NEW: The bill includes $40 million to modernize the National
Animal Disease Center in Ames; $1.25 million for the Food and Agricultural
Policy Research Institute; and $349,000 for the Ag Based Industrial Lubricant
research program at the University of Northern Iowa.
WHAT WAS SAID: "This bill promotes agricultural research and
education activities, conservation programs and economic development in rural
communities," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Ia.
BACKGROUND: Iowa's congressmen and senators have been pushing for
$400 million to upgrade the USDA labs in Ames. The labs could be on the front
line of any response to a terrorist attack on the U.S. food supply. The $40
million will allow work to start, but lawmakers will have to procure federal
dollars in future budgets.
OTHER MONEY: The Certified Environmental Management Systems for
Agriculture, working in cooperation with the Iowa Soybean Association, would
get $300,000 to help producers adopt conservation plans. The Protein
Utilization Initiative at ISU would get $190,000 to "add value" to
soybean proteins. The bill continues financing for the Little Sioux and
Mosquito Creek watersheds, the East Fork of the Grand River, Twelve Mile Creek,
Twin Ponies, Troublesome Creek, West Fork of the Big Creek, Soap Creek parts 10
and 11, Mill Creek and Little River projects. The bill also includes a $150,000
increase in the federal money to preserve the Loess Hills in western Iowa.
WHAT ELSE: By a 50-45 vote, the Senate effectively turned back an
amendment by Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Ia., that would have given the Agriculture
Department greater ability to set and enforce rules requiring meat processing plants
to reduce contamination pathogens such as salmonella. An identical amendment
failed by one vote last year.
WHAT'S NEXT: The bill now goes to a conference committee to reconcile
the differences between the House and Senate versions.