Thompson Expresses Concern Over Biodefense Facility Report
November 15, 2010 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement in reaction to the National Academy of Sciences’ (NAS) risk assessment of the planned DHS National Bio-and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. In the mandatory report, the NAS expressed concerns about possible security issues surrounding the risk assessment of the NBAF.
“While many of the recommendations in this report are important and will undoubtedly be taken into account when the NBAF is constructed, it is impossible to predict a biological hazard breach of a facility that has not even been built yet. As the process moves forward I will continue to work with the Departments of Homeland Security and Agriculture in assessing these findings.”
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
