Washington, DC  -  Congressman Mike Rogers told U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today that a new animal diagnostic laboratory being built on Auburn University’s campus should be upgraded to handle USDA testing for animal diseases like BSE, or Mad Cow Disease.

Rogers raised the prospect of increased USDA animal testing at Auburn by saying he supports the agency’s recent efforts to achieve “the most robust system possible to guard against BSE.” Adding USDA testing to the state facility, which is currently under construction, could help create a more diversified and regional system for disease detection, he said. The only facility in the United States capable of testing for BSE is in Ames, Iowa.

“There are many outstanding veterinary schools and animal research centers throughout the nation and especially in the southern US such as Auburn University where there are many cattle farmers that could become an integral part of the USDA’s programs,” Rogers said in the hearing today.

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is building the $11.5 million facility at Auburn, funded in part by an agriculture bond passed by state voters in 2000. Upgrading the facility to handle USDA BSE testing would cost approximately $2 million. Rogers initially requested these funds last year for Auburn to better protect the nation’s food supply “in the new realities brought about by September 11,” he said in a letter to USDA, and added he will continue to seek these funds from USDA this year.