7/22/2009 12:50:00 PM University president opposes moving federal laboratory out of Wyoming
University of Wyoming President Tom Buchanan said he opposes a Senate Appropriations Committee recommendation to relocate a U.S. Department of Agriculture animal disease research laboratory from UW to Manhattan, Kan.
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently recommended $1.5 million to relocate the USDA Agricultural Research Service's Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Laboratory (ABADRL), which conducts research on diseases spread by insects, including bluetongue, vesicular stomatitis and Rift Valley fever.
"We are disappointed in the committee's recommendation in part because it would bring to an end many years of cooperation among ARS and UW researchers," says Buchanan.
"Much of the work conducted at the laboratory is important to maintaining the vitality of the livestock industry in Wyoming and beyond and in identifying and developing recommendations to control insect-transmitted diseases of livestock important not only to this area but to the entire nation and world," he added. "We support the current structure with ABADRL and would hope they remain our neighbor for many years to come."
Buchanan noted Wyoming's U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso recently worked to secure $3.4 million in federal funding for ABADRL.
"Clearly, Wyoming leaders hope the ABADRL remains in Laramie, and we support efforts to persuade the USDA, the administration and Congress to keep the laboratory in Wyoming," Buchanan said.
