Rep. Mike Thompson Applauds Funding for UC Davis Lab

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Davis), commended the USDA today for approving funding for the California Animal Health and Food Safety Lab at UC Davis. The program will fund the equipment needed for rapid tests for bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE. “I am pleased that the USDA has taken this significant step in protecting our nation's food supply,” Thompson said. “The ability to conduct the rapid tests for BSE at Davis will take much of the burden off of the National Veterinary Lab in Ames, Iowa. I will continue to work to expand the number of labs that conduct confirmatory testing.” This is an issue that Thompson has been dedicated to for some time. In January, Thompson sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman asking her to upgrade veterinary labs across the country to conduct confirmatory testing for BSE. Rep. Thompson serves on the House Agriculture Committee. ###