News Release
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Contact:
Gale Johnson |
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USDA’s Under Secretary Bruce Knight to ‘Bring it all together’ on Closing Day
BOWLING GREEN, KY — “As the administration official with his ‘hands on the most animal identification levers at USDA’ the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Bruce Knight, is the ideal person to be one of the last keynote speakers on the agenda of ID•INFO EXPO 2007,” states Robert Fourdraine, program chair.
The event will be held at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City August 28-30. Mr. Knight is scheduled to speak Thursday, August 30.
“Mr. Knight has responsibility for three key areas involving animal traceability—the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and the Grain Inspection & Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA),” points out Fourdraine.
APHIS is implementing the various provisions of the voluntary National Animal Identification System (NAIS) that is primarily a disease monitoring and control function.
AMS is responsible for certification programs, including Country of Origin Labeling (COOL).
Meanwhile the Packer and Stockyards segment is integrally involved in keeping records and assuring identification and traceability of livestock products as they move from trade channels into consumer channels.
“As such, Mr. Knight works closely with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” says Glenn Fischer, program co-chair. “This perspective makes him the ideal official to ‘bring it all together’ as we consider all aspects of animal identification traceability including consumer demand.”
In addition to the extensive speaking program, ID•INFO EXPO 2007 features an informational and educational tradeshow with the latest in identification technology, processes and equipment.
For more information on ID•INFO EXPO 2007, to register for the event and/or to make hotel reservations go to www.animalagriculture.org.
The National
Institute for Animal Agriculture provides a forum for building consensus
and advancing solutions for animal agriculture and provides continuing
education and communication linkages for animal agriculture
professionals. NIAA is dedicated to programs that: work towards the
eradication of disease that pose risk to the health of animals, wildlife
and humans; promote a safe and wholesome from supply for our nation and
abroad; and promote best practices in environmental stewardship, animal
health and well-being. NIAA members represent all facets of animal
agriculture. NOTE TO EDITORS: Also, as in past years, media registration is complementary. We look forward to seeing you in Kansas City. Gale Johnson |