news

Congressman Robert E. Latta
The Committee on Energy & Commerce
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Opening Statement – For the Record
September 22, 2010


MR. CHAIRMAN; RANKING MEMBER BURGESS: Thank you for holding this subcommittee hearing on the outbreak of Salmonella in eggs, as incidences of contaminated food products are a serious concern for public health.  I am very glad that the two witnesses on our first panel who were affected by these eggs are on the road to recovery and are able to be with us today.

This hearing is also of great concern to me because egg production is critical to my state, Ohio, which is the second-largest egg producing state in the nation, with 7.1 billion eggs.  Many of you have heard me say that I represent the largest manufacturing district in Ohio, but I also represent the largest agriculture district in Ohio.  Furthermore, my district is home to one of the top two egg producing counties in the nation.  Ohio’s egg industry produces 465.5 million eggs in my district, and has an economic impact of 102.4 million dollars. Ohio is also one of the ten states with an egg quality assurance program with the aim to minimizing Salmonella in eggs. 

First of all, I think it is important that we remember that the purpose of this hearing is to get the facts.  While we have the FDA form 483 with general observations about the conditions at the Wright County Egg and Hillendale Farms operations in Iowa that are being investigated, we do not yet have the Establishment Inspection Report which will provide more clear answers.  Furthermore, I am disappointed that the FDA Commissioner is not here to testify, nor is a representative from the USDA.

We need to get answers and hear what went wrong from these producers so that the industry learns from this recall.  We do not want the public to lose confidence in our egg producers.
Several of the egg producers in my district are fourth generation farmers and have been committed to producing a safe, healthy product for years.  If we have over-burdening regulations that are placed out there, many of these farmers may be forced out of business - unfortunately, preventing a fifth-generation from being able to farm. 

The safety and security of the nation’s food supply is of utmost importance to me.  Mr. Chairman, thank you for this opportunity, and I look forward to hearing the testimony from the witnesses on the panel today.  I would also like to submit a document for the record from the Ohio Poultry Association on egg facts in Ohio.