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May 5, 2010
Kansas’ role in food and ag safety noted at BIO International Convention
CHICAGO — National leaders in biosecurity and government converged in Chicago today at the world’s largest annual biotechnology convention and described the urgent need for accelerated research to protect the American food supply and agriculture economy.
At the Biosecurity Conference at the BIO International Convention, food and agriculture security were called essential to public health and the world economy, with the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) highlighted as a prime example of the kind of approach required for improved biosecurity.
Kansas Bioscience Authority president Tom Thornton said the NBAF demonstrated how coordinated national action will address a global bioscience challenge.
“With the NBAF, we have the federal government arm in arm with regional, state, and local partners in both the public and private sectors,” Thornton said. “This is exactly what we need to solve serious biosecurity threats, and, when it comes to food safety in particular, Kansas is contributing its world-class infrastructure, resources, and expertise to meet a national need.”
Thornton joined Dr. James Roth of Iowa State University and Drs. Cyril Gay and José Díez of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in addressing the conference this afternoon.
“The Departments of Agriculture and Homeland Security must be commended for their focused and sustained leadership in protecting our nation from an intentional biological attack and unintentional outbreaks of foreign animal and zoonotic diseases that would dramatically impact agriculture and public health,” Thornton said.
Earlier in the day, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg; Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Nicole Lurie; Laura Holgate of the National Security Council; and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Under Secretary Tara O’Toole also spoke about the critical role of science in improving U.S. and global biosecurity.
Hamburg emphasized food safety, and O’Toole cited the NBAF as one of the key elements of the nation’s research enterprise in that area.
Biosecurity is a high profile topic at BIO this year, complete with a dedicated biosecurity zone within the BIO exhibit hall and the first-ever, two-day Biosecurity Conference. In the biosecurity zone, the Kansas Bioscience Authority and Kansas State University are showcasing Kansas’ national biosecurity leadership with an exhibit featuring the NBAF, K-State’s Biosecurity Research Institute, the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, and more.
On Monday, the KBA and DHS hosted an NBAF progress report in Chicago with U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, K-State President Kirk Schulz, and Jamie Johnson of the Department of Homeland Security. The update further expanded the national coalition advocating for accelerated research to protect the American food supply and agriculture economy.
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