PRESS RELEASE
FROM: INDEPENDENT CATTLEMEN OF NEBRASKA
Contact person: Linda Wuebben, Communications Director, 402-357-3778 or CEO Louis Day, 402-376-1538

E-Mail independentcattlemen@yahoo.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December, 2008

BIOSECURITY LAB WILL BE MOVED TO KANSAS

The Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON) are very disappointed the Dept. of Homeland Security is still considering moving the Biosecurity Research Lab from the isolated Plum Island Facility which is offshore four miles east of Long Island, New York.

The Plum Island lab has done research on diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease for over 50 years.

The location has helped to avoid potential outbreaks much like what has happened recently in England. Thousands of heads of livestock raised in Great Britain had to be destroyed when a research lab there had an outbreak and the animals were put down to contain the infectious disease.

The Bush administration acknowledged earlier this year there has been accidents at the Plum Island lab but were contained because of the remoteness and natural barriers.

ICON feels it is totally irresponsible for the Homeland Security or the USDA and APHIS to even consider allowing this move to Kansas, which is especially close to the center of the largest concentration of livestock feeding in this country.

ICON feels that Plum Island is still the best location for such a much-needed but dangerous facility and it would serve the consumer and livestock industries far better to upgrade the current facility.

It is not a matter of if an accident will occur but when.

About the author: Louis Day is a rancher from Valentine, Nebraska. Mr. Day is the CEO for ICON and Nebraska Membership Chair for R-CALF USA. For more information about the author or the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska please call Louis Day, 402-376-1538, or log on to http://www.independentcattlemen.com

 

Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska
"Solid as a windmill. Always working for the independent producer."

The Mission of the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON) is to protect and promote the interests of Nebraska's
independent cattle producers. Office of the Organization is located in Hyannis, Nebraska and membership can be obtained by calling (308) 458-7282.