Testimony to Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
by
Richard F. Ross, Dean
Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine
March 11, 1997
Executive Summary Iowa State University recommends that Congress continue its efforts to ensure that America has exemplary, world-class programs in agricultural research. The State-Federal Partnership in Agricultural research that has existed for many years has been highly effective in helping to ensure that Americans have a nutritious, plentiful, affordable and safe food supply. In addition, the outstanding human and natural resource capital of this nation provide continued opportunity for America to be highly competitive in international trade with agricultural commodities. In fact, the World Trade Agreements and rapid changes occurring in Asia now provide the US with increased opportunities for value-added export of US agricultural commodities. It is absolutely essential that the USDA and the Land Grant Universities do all that they can to ensure that agricultural commodity producers, industries and communities are profitable, sustainable and competitive in this new world environment. Agriculture is central to the quality of life, prosperity and international competitiveness of Americans; funding must be increased consistent with increases recommended for other agencies and consistent with the importance of Agriculture to America. In order to ensure that American Agriculture continues to be a premier provider of food to the nation and that the country is highly competitive in world trade, it is imperative that Congress authorize strong programs for base, targeted and competitive funding and that authorization for the FRA be extended. In addition, it is very important that Congress continue its excellent track record of providing for world-class facilities for agricultural research; authorizations must be made for continuing investment in agricultural facilities to keep America well-fed and internationally competitive in the future.
Introduction Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to present testimony to this subcommittee as you begin to examine possible changes in the FY98 Research Title. I am Dr. Richard Ross, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University. I am testifying today on behalf of the Iowa State University. Portions of my testimony will relate also to positions taken regarding animal health by the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). I am President-elect of the AAVMC. I represent the organization on Secretary Glickman's National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, Economics Advisory Board. Iowa State University is the land-grant University for the State of Iowa with major strengths in Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, and other fields in science and technology.
I am here to give testimony specifically regarding major issues of concern to the profitability, sustainability and international competitiveness of animal agriculture in the United States with a special focus on animal health issues. I would like to point out that Iowa State University is a close collaborator with many of the USDA's national facilities, such as the National Soil Tilth Laboratory, National Animal Disease Center (NADC) and the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL), all of which are located in Ames, Iowa. An example of such a collaboration between ISU and USDA would be the Ames Center for Animal Health (ACAH), a recently formed relationship between the NVSL, the NADC and ISU. This relationship and commitment to cooperation and sharing of resources and facilities was solidified in April 1995 when the President of Iowa State University, the Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service and the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service signed an agreement to establish the ACAH.
The Centrality of American Agriculture: Agriculture and society have always been inseparable. In fact, agriculture is a key foundation for society. Today, in addition to food and fiber production, agriculture includes important public mandates for natural resources and environmental stewardship. All Americans have a strong expectation to eat every day, three times a day. Fortunately, American agriculture provides the safest, most abundant, most affordable food and fiber supply the world has ever known. Animals and related industries contribute in excess of $100 billion to the American economy. Healthy animals produce safe food, and result in a better environment. A solid animal health research base is vital to the health and well-being of animals and people as well as the animal agriculture industries. It is essential to ensure the continued safety and wholesomeness of America's food supply.
The Economic Importance of American Agriculture: Eleven percent of our wages, salaries, proprietor income, rents, and profit is contributed by food and agricultural enterprises. Almost 20 percent of American workers earn a paycheck in agricultural and food enterprises. Americans spend 11 percent of our disposable income on food, far less than Canadian, French, Australian and Japanese consumers.
The following chart presents in dramatic graphic form the remarkable progress made by American Agriculture in reduction of percent of American income spent for food:
We Recommend that Congress Continue Authorization for a Balanced National Research Portfolio: Including Base Funding, Targeted Funding, and Competitive Grants Through the National Research Initiative and the Fund for Rural America and for Agricultural Research Facilities The Congress has, through its funding authority, led the development of the knowledge base essential for a strong national food system. This system has been the envy of the world; US food is profitable, responsive, safe, low-cost and highly competitive in the international arena. Continuation of a strong, balanced federal state partnering is essential for the US to maintain its leadership in food production. Research support for the US food sector needs to include a balanced portfolio of funding from the federal government and a balanced facilities infrastructure for carrying out the needed research. Federal funding for Research and Extension at Iowa State University currently enables a strong state federal partnership. The University feels strongly that in order to continue this highly effective partnership, it is important that an appropriate mix of Formula or Base Funds, Targeted Funds and Competitive Grants be available. In my testimony, I provide reasoning for the continuation of strong programming in basic and applied research, for mechanisms such as the Fund for Rural America and Extension to deliver the product of that research and for the infrastructure to support this activity.
We Recommend a Strong Authorization Statement for Base or Formula Funding Mechanisms As reported by the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, base funding creates a unique partnership between the USDA and the state land-grant universities with extension and local governments. Under specific legislative authorities, base funds are distributed from USDA to the states using a formula, that among other factors, considers rural and farm population and the amount of agricultural production. Base funds include those from; the Hatch Act, McIntire-Stennis, Evans-Allen, Smith-Lever and Animal Health and Disease (1433) programs. These base funds provide the infrastructure for long-term research and extension programs, enable rapid and effective attention to problems that arise for producers and customers, facilitate the network or national "system" of institutions considering the broad needs, address challenges and concerns of all citizens and leverage greater outside support for programs (approximately $4 for every base $1). Base funds assure that resources are available to address specific and unpredicted problems, many of which are applied science issues that need to be addressed but would not likely be funded through a competitive grants process. While competitive grant programs tend to focus on "new discoveries," base funding transfers these discoveries to agricultural products and applications.
Although the Committee may be familiar with the larger Hatch and other base funding programs, I would like to site examples of successes attained with the much smaller animal health and disease 1433 program. One success at Iowa State University resulted in the development of a DNA probe for the detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus and led to an understanding of interactions between salmonella and PRRS virus in causing pneumonia in pigs. Dual infections resulted in more severe pneumonia than single infections. Another project at Iowa State developed a model for the reproduction of disease in swine caused by Streptococcus suis. This model is being used to develop a vaccine for this emerging pathogen.
We Recommend Continued Authorization for USDA to do Targeted or Special Research in Cooperation with Land Grant Universities Targeted or special grants address specific issue areas, such as food safety, or specific problems, like the outbreak of a new pig disease. Targeted or special grants provide an important mechanism for partnerships between universities and the Federal government. Elected officials often have a unique understanding of priority problems and issues that confront their constituents. For example, Food Safety was identified through the foresight of Congress approximately ten years ago when they placed special grant at Iowa State University, the University of Arkansas and Kansas State University. The information developed has helped the nation be in a better position to cope with the many Food Safety problems that have emerged in the last few years. One of the accomplishments with the special grant on Food Safety at Iowa State University is that meat packing plants, food service operations and nursing homes were surveyed to determine point of meat contamination with microbial pathogens. Results of the study are being used to develop a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point program to address this problem. Thus, with examples such as the Food Safety Consortium, ISU firmly believes that Special Grants or targeted funds are an important component of the federal funding portfolio.
We Recommend that Congress Increase Competitive Grants Funding Through the National Research Initiative to the Level of $113.5 Million The Department of Agriculture needs to increase its spending on competitive research programs which focus on animal health and disease, and rural health problems. As you know, the intended funding level for the National Research Initiative has not been attained. In fact, funding has been cut in recent years. The result is that less research is conducted in 1997 than was provided for with this exciting new program in 1990. The competitive NRI grants program of the agricultural research portfolio is an important adjunct to the FRA. Basic research done under the NRI can be effectively taken to application in rural communities as provided in the FRA. It is imperative that the Research Title emphasizes the importance of funding the National Research Initiative so basic research in agriculture can be increased. NRI grant funds at Iowa State University allowed us to determine gene sequence of PRRS virus. PRRS is a new swine disease causing major economic losses in swine. This information is being used to develop improved diagnostic methods and vaccines.
We Recommend Authorization of the Fund for Rural America Competitive Grants Program through 2002 I want to thank and compliment the Congress for the initial step of establishing the Fund for Rural America in Section 793 of the April 1996 Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act. As you know, this program includes a competitive grants program. The FRA was authorized for only three years; 1997, 1998 and 1999. Iowa State University and the AAVMC strongly urge that at least the research, extension, teaching portion of the FRA be authorized for the duration of the new Farm Bill for FYs 98, 99, 00, 01 and 02. As you know also, the law that established the FRA provided for establishment of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board. As mentioned, I represent the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges on the Advisory Board. I believe that this innovative new program for support of agricultural research has made an excellent start. I assume Chair Lechtenberg will be presenting testimony regarding the FRA later in this hearing. It is my belief that the goals of the FRA will be met and that the Congress will be well pleased with the outcome of this investment.
We Recommend Authorization for a Competitive Agricultural Facilities Program Addressing the needs of the nation's agricultural research infrastructure is of fundamental importance as we seek to ensure Americas continued progress toward assurance of availability of safe, wholesome, nutritious food. It is extremely important that Federal agricultural facilities are adequate to maintain the profitability, sustainability, and international competitiveness of US agriculture. I would like to compliment Congress for authorizing a Strategic Planning Task Force to conduct a two year study of agricultural research facilities. As a land grant institution, we look forward to cooperating with Congress to address critical infrastructure needs. As this process proceeds, authorization for a competitive agricultural facilities program will be needed.
The Agricultural Research Service has had a long and distinguished contribution to the success of American agriculture. This success has been due in large part to their excellent commitment to quality facilities for congressionally mandated research. Today, many of these facilities are no longer state-of-the art and are difficult to maintain. As Congress considers how best to address the facilities needs of the nation's agricultural infrastructure, it is imperative that close relationships be maintained with the nation's land-grant universities. Serious questions have been raised about the adequacy of several animal health facilities installations.
Iowa State University and the Agriculture Research Service Iowa State University has had a long and fruitful relationship with the ARS through the National Animal Disease Center, the National Corn Laboratory, the Soil Tilth Center and recently, the National Swine Research Center (NSRC). The University is very pleased that the first phase of the NSRC was funded and is looking forward to completion of this innovative facility. Iowa State University strongly encourages the Congress to take action clearly authorizing the National Swine Research Center.
Protecting American Agriculture The USDA does an excellent job of synergizing its efforts to protect US animal agriculture through the missions of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in Ames, Iowa and in Plum Island, NY. However, a major investment is needed to protect animal agriculture in the US These animal agricultural industries are estimated to be worth over $100 billion dollars annually. We recommend that a Committee be developed to examine the overall USDA effort to control and contain both emerging and foreign animal diseases in the US The Committee should be charged to examine the USDA facilities which are used to protect American agriculture including diagnostics, foreign animal disease control, and research efforts and to recommend a strategy that maintains the profitability, sustainability, and international competitiveness of American agriculture.
While the Committee is examining these issues, immediate action is needed to secure funding for the next phase of the multi-year APHIS plan to improve bio-safety and diagnostic capabilities of APHIS. This action is needed to effectively protect American agriculture from the growing threat of foreign and emerging animal diseases. Architects hired by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection (APHIS), through funding received from GSA, have developed a comprehensive 10 year plan for APHIS construction and consolidation in Ames, Iowa. This 10 year plan addresses the problems recently cited by the USDA Inspector General's Office and contains plans for the construction of a Biosafety Level 3 - Agricultural animal biocontainment facility by APHIS, that would be shared by the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Iowa State University.
This plan will result in efficiencies of operation by integrating into one facility in Ames the recently formed APHIS Center for Veterinary Biologics and the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories. In addition, this investment will provide a foundation for recommendations of the Committee. An $8 million appropriation was secured from Congress last year to help meet some of APHIS' immediate needs. This investment must be continued to resolve USDA Office of the Inspector General Management Alerts for safety and health of employees and the general public.
Other High Priority Issues to be Addressed A year ago, a colleague of mine, Dean Ron Marler of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University presented a statement before the House Subcommittee on Resource Conservation, Research and Forestry in behalf of the AAVMC. The rationale for authorizing animal health programs (Base, Targeted, Competitive and Facilities) is provided in the remainder of my testimony. Portions of my presentation today have reiterated or are extensions of the ideas developed by Dean Marler.
Food Safety Research Foods derived from animals are essential to the health and well-being of American citizens. While the US produces the most abundant and safest food supply in the world and food-borne diseases are associated with only a very small fraction of the total food consumed, the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service estimates that there are as many as seven million cases of food borne illnesses yearly, with 7,000 deaths. These illnesses result in $3.7 billion in health care costs and job related absenteeism annually. Unless we understand these illnesses better and develop better strategies for intervention, these losses will escalate in the future as the overall US population includes more people who are aged, are immunosuppressed, or have reduced resistance to disease for other reasons.
Food production systems have become more complex as our society has become more urbanized. There have been many changes in how food is processed, distributed, sold, prepared and, even, handled by the consumer. Contamination of food can occur at any step of this continuum and research is needed to develop intervention strategies at each step. While veterinary medicine historically has been an important component of the post-harvest phase of food safety through the USDA's food safety and public health responsibilities, it is also vital for producers to address the pre-harvest or production phase of food safety on farms. On-farm disease control and other food safety programs need to be developed that maintain healthy animals, and that will lead to production of high quality foods that enter the food chain free of microbial or chemical contaminants. Ultimately, on farm Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) programs need to be developed for specific microbes and chemicals. Under the leadership of the nation's specifically trained animal health professionals, these programs must be established through involvement of interdisciplinary research teams that integrate economic factors, animal well-being considerations and environmental issues.
Unfortunately, little is known about the conditions that foster the survival and distribution of microbial contaminants. This knowledge will be essential to the reduction and possible elimination of these contaminants from our food animals and thereby from the US food supply. Research must be done to develop effective and comprehensive monitoring and surveillance systems for the effective control of food-borne diseases. In addition, research must be utilized to develop rapid, simple, sensitive and specific diagnostic/detection techniques for identifying food borne hazards.
Importance of the global market With the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the opportunity to expand the export of animal food products has increased, but such expansion can occur only if the animals producing this food are healthy. The Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University is active in assessing these types of trade agreements. Veterinary medical research will optimize animal production systems to yield abundant, safe, high quality, wholesome, and nutritious food that will successfully compete in global markets, and provide scientific information for control or elimination of animal diseases that may become trade barriers.
Targeted research funding is critical for success. This support is important for the development of new technology and products, their testing in the field, and their transfer to producers. Funding is also needed for emergency situations where new diseases threaten the safety of food, the economy of production, or the export of product. In summary, veterinary medical research is needed to facilitate, expedite or promote approval of vaccines and drugs for food animals and to assist in the technology transfer needed to apply new technologies to the animal production setting.
Importance of the well-being of animals There is a growing dichotomy between present agricultural practices and public images of farm life. This is most apparent in issues related to intensive animal production. A great majority of livestock and poultry producers traditionally have taken a responsible approach to ensuring the well-being of their animals. Non-scientifically based criticisms of modern food animal production practices have raised public concerns about the humaneness of these practices. A coordinated effort involving veterinarians, food animal producers and industries, citizens of rural communities, the scientific community, governmental agencies, and consumers of animal products is needed to successfully resolve public concerns related to well-being and the humane care and use of farm animal species. Producers face major pressures to increase production efficiency in order to remain competitive in the face of low prices, changing consumer demands, and heavily subsidized international markets. Establishing guidelines for the care of animals throughout production is extremely important to improve the public image of the animal agriculture industry.
Importance of research on emerging diseases Over the last two decades, there has been a resurgence in the occurrence of infectious diseases in both animals and people. This has occurred in spite of the impression that infectious diseases were largely controlled and no longer an issue of concern. The ability of microbial and viral agents to establish new niches or undergo genetic mutations may lead to the appearance of new diseases. Similarly, new food processing techniques may inadvertently create conditions wherein pathogens proliferate. In addition, there is increasing evidence that antibiotic drug resistance has reduced the effectiveness of animal and human disease therapy. In these cases, concern is being raised about the source of the resistance factors, and whether antibiotic use to prevent diseases in animals may increase the appearance of antibiotic resistance in human pathogens.
The pace at which new infectious diseases emerge promises to increase in light of the passage of World Trade Agreements. The emphasis on globalization of trade will increase shipments of commercial items into the United States. Some of these items may contain new infectious agents or the vectors of infectious agents not present in the US. The appearance of new or re-emerging diseases can have an economically devastating effect on food security, leading to non-tariff trade barriers. New or re-emerging diseases can also place the human population at risk if the infectious agent is harmful to humans.
Veterinary medical institutions are particularly well qualified to address new and re-emerging diseases because of their experience in diagnosis, epidemiology, pathology, microbiology, toxicology, and disease control of many species. Targeted or competitive research funding is critically needed to identify these existing and potential disease threats.