Budget Cuts Could Mean Riskier Meals

Although New Hampshire is a rural state, there are few working farms. And those numbers are dwindling because of development pressures.

But the responsibilities of the state Department of Food, Agriculture and Markets are not dwindling at all. The discovery of an animal infected with mad cow disease out West highlights the department�s role in protecting food safety.

John Porter is a U-N-H professor and a cattle specialist in the Cooperative Extension Service:

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They work in the background, doing an awful lot of work to make sure your food is safe. Not only that, but every gas pump that you pump has been inspected by the Department of Agriculture to be sure that you�re getting the right measure.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Taylor says the state has been free of infected animals. The current federal crackdown on animal transportation should add more protection. Taylor points to one more safety factor: Most dairy herds in the state grow through births, not imports, Taylor says.

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Keeping foreign pathogens off the premises is an excellent way of maintaining animal health and what we call bio-security.

Security concerns that emerged following the 9/11 terrorist attack further enhanced the state�s ability to protect the food supply. The state�s chief veterinarian now participates in homeland security planning. That can prevent disease as well as terrorism.

One example: The state successfully banned imports of elk and other game animals when a wasting disease struck in the Midwest.

But Taylor is worried about the future. He describes Governor Benson�s order for another 10 per cent in budget cuts as fairly Draconian. That would mean taking a minimum of $200-thousand dollars out of a $2-million budget. That, Taylor says, probably means layoffs.

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I think that anything that reduces our ability to carry out our mission, loss of personnel and resources, is going to have an impact.

Governor Benson insists the state can handle it. Spokesman Wendell Packard:

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The commissioner has assured the governor�s office that he will be fully capable of responding in case the situation arose.

But what happens if pesticide inspectors have to be laid off? Will animal inspectors have to assume additional duties? Will that affect animal safety? Wendell Packard:

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The governor highly values public safety throughout the state and is working with the departments to ensure that public safety services are met.

The last few days show that animal health is a public safety matter. After all, New Hampshire cows that stop producing milk often end up as hamburger in a fast-food restaurant.

For NHPR News, this is John Milne.