Manhattan’s emerging role in safeguarding America’s food system was on full display Wednesday as USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran toured the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility and Kansas State University’s Biosecurity Research Institute.

Vaden’s first trip to Manhattan comes as NBAF, a Biosafety Level 4 laboratory designed to study and combat animal diseases, nears completion.

“Our goal here is to make certain that NBAF is ready for that work, and to make sure it happens as smoothly as possible and to make sure that it happens on time,” Moran said.

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By Brandon Peoples

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced a proposal to relocate staff from Washington, D.C., to five hub locations, including Kansas City.

On Wednesday, USDA Deputy Undersecretary Stephen Vaden fielded questions about the plan from members of the Senate Ag Committee, during an impromptu meeting called by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn).

Klobuchar called USDA’s proposal a “half-baked plan,” saying it would cause more harm than good to U.S. farmers. She also criticized the USDA’s lack of consultation with Congress and farm organizations before the plan was released.

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By Brandon Peoples

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced a proposal to relocate staff from Washington, D.C., to five hub locations, including Kansas City.

On Wednesday, USDA Deputy Undersecretary Stephen Vaden fielded questions about the plan from members of the Senate Ag Committee, during an impromptu meeting called by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn).

Klobuchar called USDA’s proposal a “half-baked plan,” saying it would cause more harm than good to U.S. farmers. She also criticized the USDA’s lack of consultation with Congress and farm organizations before the plan was released.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

Click here for more state news.

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By Megan Moser

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on Wednesday acknowledged that the firing and rehiring of federal workers at NBAF in February was “an imperfect process.”

Rollins was responding to questions from U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat representing Kansas’ 3rd District, during Rollins’ testimony to the House Agriculture Committee.

The National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan conducts research on dangerous animal and zoonotic diseases.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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