I would like to offer a very warm welcome to Senator Bennett as he assumes his responsibilities as chairman of this subcommittee.

America's dairy farmers and those in my state of Wisconsin, which has more dairy farmers than any other state by far, are suffering hugely from low prices and a dairy pricing system that often works against the farmers best interests.

I do appreciate that and the clarification is very helpful.

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

It is the USDA's responsibility to make sure that the food supply is as safe as possible, and that includes, obviously, making sure that what is imported undergoes the same rigorous oversight and scrutiny as the food that we make for…

He is someone that I and other members of this committee have come to know, respect and admire for his fairness.

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.

you really can't entirely predict what a prion-related disease will do.

I would agree, no question as a matter of principle.

Senator Kohl, certainly, you know that 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.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this propitious hearing this morning.