Iowa Senator seeks answers to USDA's role at egg farms

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) § Sen. Charles Grassley has asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to address accusations that federal workers ignored complaints about conditions at an Iowa farm involved in a recall of salmonella-tainted eggs. Grassley sent a letter to Vilsack on Tuesday, asking whether the U.S. Department of Agriculture had received complaints and what was done to investigate the concerns. He also asked Vilsack whether there is a system in place for farm and USDA employees to report problems. The Iowa senator said his questions arose after two former workers at Wright County Egg near Galt, Iowa, claimed they complained about problems at the farm to USDA employees working there but were ignored. USDA spokesman Caleb Weaver said Wednesday that the agency is working on a response to Grassley's letter. Last week, Weaver said a USDA employee who oversaw agency operations at the farm did not recall any concerns being raised but the agency was continuing its investigation into the claims. USDA employees at the farm inspect eggs and grade them but are not there to inspect for food safety issues. An agreement with the Food and Drug Administration does allow them to report unsanitary or other conditions that would require them to withhold the voluntary grading service. The FDA has oversight of food safety issues, and a recent inspection by FDA investigators found rodents, maggots and leaking manure at Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms of Iowa near New Hampton. Published: Thu, Sep 9, 2010

––––––––––––––––––––
 Subscribe to the Legal News!
 https://test.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available