"We are far past the time for this system to be fully up and running. Our food safety system needs to be protected now, not somewhere down the road in the future."
"it will be difficult, if not impossible, to convince Congress to provide economic support for producers should we have an animal disease outbreak if they are not participating in NAIS."
"producers should not assume that the Federal Government will be there as an insurance policy if they continue to be unwilling to pay their premium."
"It is a national security issue in many respects that I would like to get your response to."
"The subject of today's hearing, a review of Federal food safety systems at the USDA, is vital and it is very, very timely."
"I am very concerned about the fact we are not moving even fast enough."
"Although you don't have all the answers, there is no question about that. Is there any question that the investments probably save more money than they cost?"
"Now, if you look at what we are spending just on the counterproductive part of that incarceration and divide it out, you are talking about $3,500 per child per year."
"Is there any question, as a general policy, that investments in quality early childhood education for children at risk of failure will reduce crime, reduce welfare, and reduce the need for remedial ed..."
"A mandatory system would let us know where infected animals are so that we could reroute transportation to prevent disease from spreading."
"It will save the government money and provide a vital tool in maintaining the security and integrity of the food supply."