USDA OIG investigating Nebraska meat research center
March 10, 2015 |06:05 AM
The Agriculture Department’s Office of the Inspector General is investigating the U.S. Animal Research Center in Nebraska, but that investigation is apparently not far along.
A spokesman for Inspector General Phyllis Fong told The Hagstrom Report that OIG senior officials began considering a potential review of issues at the USMARC facility upon reading the January New York Times article alleging animal abuses at the center, and that OIG also had discussions about USMARC with several congressional offices and USDA.
Concerns about the allegations regarding USMARC were raised by leaders of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee during OIG’s hearing on February 13.
“At this time, OIG has assembled an audit team, and OIG officials are determining the scope and objectives of its planned audit inquiry of the USMARC center. OIG will initiate fieldwork this month,” the spokesman said.
A review panel appointed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the center in January and February. It found no current abuses, but recommended stricter procedures for approving research projects and recordkeeping. That committee did not investigate the history of abuse, but the OIG is expected to do deeper research.
A Vilsack spokesman stressed that the OIG is independent of the secretary.
A spokesman for Inspector General Phyllis Fong told The Hagstrom Report that OIG senior officials began considering a potential review of issues at the USMARC facility upon reading the January New York Times article alleging animal abuses at the center, and that OIG also had discussions about USMARC with several congressional offices and USDA.
Concerns about the allegations regarding USMARC were raised by leaders of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee during OIG’s hearing on February 13.
“At this time, OIG has assembled an audit team, and OIG officials are determining the scope and objectives of its planned audit inquiry of the USMARC center. OIG will initiate fieldwork this month,” the spokesman said.
A review panel appointed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the center in January and February. It found no current abuses, but recommended stricter procedures for approving research projects and recordkeeping. That committee did not investigate the history of abuse, but the OIG is expected to do deeper research.
A Vilsack spokesman stressed that the OIG is independent of the secretary.
