Congress Approves $450,000 For Ohio Agricultural Research

Press Release

Congressman John Boccieri (D-OH) and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) today announced $450,000 for the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) to provide continued support for research into emerging plant and animal diseases which threaten to destroy crops and livestock in Ohio and across the nation.

Kaptur and Boccieri worked with Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) and members of the Appropriations Committees to include funding for the project in the conference report on the FY10 Agricultural, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill.

"As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, the agricultural community must constantly deal with new challenges and threats to both livestock and crops," said Boccieri. "These funds provide a direct benefit to consumer health, the well-being of food animals and plants, and the economic success of producers in the agricultural industry across the nation."

"Agriculture is Ohio's leading industry, and world-class institutions such as OARDC give us a competitive edge," said Congresswoman Kaptur. "This investment in our future makes us a stronger state economically."

OARDC Director & Associate Vice President for Agricultural Administration Dr. Steve Slack said, "We certainly appreciate the support of Representative Boccieri and others for their foresight in recognizing the importance of proactive programs to mitigate the impact of invasive and emerging plant and animal diseases that impact the quality of life we enjoy in Ohio and beyond."

The OARDC uses the federal funds to study soybean rust, a quickly spreading disease that is threatening to destroy crops both in Ohio and throughout the nation. Similarly, the OARDC studies the transmission of livestock-based diseases, such as the H3N3 strain of the influenza virus in an effort to prevent future outbreaks among animals.

Information generated from these studies will have a major impact on the control of these diseases and the promotion of agricultural stability and public safety. OARDC plans to use these funds to anticipate and prevent future outbreaks, ensuring the health and the safety of the American people.

The OARDC is an institution of The Ohio State University seeking to promote rural and urban communities, ensure the sustainability of food and agricultural programs, as well as provide unbiased research on agriculture-related issues.

The FY10 Agricultural, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill also includes $350 million in assistance for our nation's dairy farmers who are struggling due to historically low prices, including $290 million to assist struggling dairy producers and $60 million to allow for the purchase of cheese and other dairy products for food banks.

In total, the 16th Congressional District is home to 725 dairy farms with total annual sales in 2007 of more than $174 million. Wayne County, the largest dairy producing county in the state of Ohio, has nearly 425 dairy farms with total yearly sales of more than $113 million. Ashland County is another agriculturally rich area of the state and has nearly 155 dairy farms with annual sales of more than $19 million. As such, Congressman Boccieri is a member of the Congressional Dairy Caucus. The Caucus serves as a mechanism to educate members and their staff on issues of concern to the dairy industry while also serving as a means to build consensus on legislation impacting the dairy industry.

This legislation will now go to the Senate before heading to President Obama's desk for signature.

Source