We were led to believe and understand that there was imminent danger of weapons of mass destruction being unleashed...

If they have a backlog with their testing, they have got to do something about it, and if we need to help them, then that is what we need to do.

But that kind of a backlog would not be tolerated by you here.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

If you are as enthusiastic as you say you are, and I believe that is true, I would like to work with you to see that we get some additional funding, not only to continue with the program but to expand it and grow it.

So whatever problems they have are our problems, isn't that true?

import inspection, or reinspection, as we call it, of meat and poultry that is imported into the United States is an extremely high priority with us at FSIS.

Would you say, based on all the information you have, that the beef that is imported from Canada undergoes the same safety inspection as the beef that we raise here?

It is the USDA's responsibility to make sure that the food supply is as safe as possible.

I would like to welcome our witnesses again to this hearing, which turns out to be of some considerable importance.

How they test and how frequently they test, how accurately they test is of enormous importance to us.

I think the American people need some answers, and this hearing will provide a unique opportunity for you to address them.

Exporting beef from Canada into the United States is a huge industry up there.

I would just like to ask Mr. Bost one quick question.

We do have concerns which obviously show in the actions that we took just the day before yesterday.

Do you intend to respond to their needs? Particularly now with the outbreak of something like mad cow, we understand how important it is to ensure the safety of our animals in this country.

I will be on you and at you with a sense of urgency to try and find some way to increase the amount of funding that we can get in Wisconsin.

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