Vilsack reopens APHIS biologics center to handle vaccines
October 08, 2013 | 03:18 PM
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has reopened the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Center for Veterinary Biologics, citing a need for animal vaccines.
“As outlined in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service shutdown plan, a limited number of agency employees may be required to perform excepted activities to protect property, public health and food safety,” a USDA spokeswoman said.
“Therefore, a limited number of Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) employees have been recalled on a limited basis to address a vaccine shortage, which could endanger animal health,” she said. “The majority of the work that the CVB conducts will remain closed due do the government shutdown such as evaluation and testing of new products.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association noted that the CVB, which has been closed over the past week, is responsible for verifying animal vaccines and releasing them into the marketplace, ensuring that veterinarians and farmers have access to vaccinations needed to keep flocks and herds healthy.
“Without a fully functional CVB, these groups would face a dwindling vaccine supply, which could endanger herd health, food safety and public health,” the group said in a statement.
Ron DeHaven, AVMA’s chief executive officer, praised Vilsack for reopening the center so that veterinarians can get access to vaccines, but DeHaven has also called on Congress to pass a continuing resolution to reopen the entire government.
“We look to our elected officials in Congress, especially those who are part of the U.S. House Veterinary Medicine Caucus, to exert their leadership and help Congress rise above the partisan bickering to do what is right for both Americans and our nation’s livestock and pets,” DeHaven said.
“As outlined in the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service shutdown plan, a limited number of agency employees may be required to perform excepted activities to protect property, public health and food safety,” a USDA spokeswoman said.
“Therefore, a limited number of Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) employees have been recalled on a limited basis to address a vaccine shortage, which could endanger animal health,” she said. “The majority of the work that the CVB conducts will remain closed due do the government shutdown such as evaluation and testing of new products.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association noted that the CVB, which has been closed over the past week, is responsible for verifying animal vaccines and releasing them into the marketplace, ensuring that veterinarians and farmers have access to vaccinations needed to keep flocks and herds healthy.
“Without a fully functional CVB, these groups would face a dwindling vaccine supply, which could endanger herd health, food safety and public health,” the group said in a statement.
Ron DeHaven, AVMA’s chief executive officer, praised Vilsack for reopening the center so that veterinarians can get access to vaccines, but DeHaven has also called on Congress to pass a continuing resolution to reopen the entire government.
“We look to our elected officials in Congress, especially those who are part of the U.S. House Veterinary Medicine Caucus, to exert their leadership and help Congress rise above the partisan bickering to do what is right for both Americans and our nation’s livestock and pets,” DeHaven said.
