Huffman, Thompson Again Call on Secretary of Agriculture to Provide Rancho Recall Answers
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) yesterday sent another letter with Rep. Mike Thompson calling on Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to provide him and his constituents with information regarding the major recall earlier this year at the Rancho Feeding Corporation processing plant in Petaluma, California. After more than six months of investigations, the federal agencies have not closed the case, responded to reports of misconduct, or given needed information about the recall to members of Congress, affected ranchers, or the general public.
“Importantly, this recall has significantly harmed affected ranchers, who continue to raise questions about the cause of the recall and any recourse available to compensate them for damages,” Huffman and Thompson wrote. “Unfortunately, despite our requests, our constituents have received very little information from USDA in response. This recall demands a serious investigation, so that answers can be provided to ranchers and the public as a whole as soon as possible.”
Since the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the recall, the North Bay Congressmen have repeatedly called for answers, and recently offered a successful amendment to increase funding for the USDA OIG, demonstrating congressional support for the OIG and for completing the Rancho investigation as swiftly as possible.
A copy of the letter can be found HERE or below:
July 11, 2014
Tom Vilsack, Secretary
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
Dear Secretary Vilsack:
Over the last several months, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) has overseen a major recall at the Rancho Feeding Corporation processing plant in Petaluma, California. This recall has prompted serious public concern and federal investigations by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the USDA Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Importantly, this recall has also significantly harmed affected ranchers, who continue to raise questions about the cause of the recall and any recourse available to compensate them for damages. Unfortunately, despite our requests, our constituents have received very little information from USDA in response.
This recall demands a serious investigation, so that answers can be provided to ranchers and the public as a whole as soon as possible. On June 11, the House of Representatives approved our amendment (H.Amdt. 847) to increase funding for the USDA OIG, demonstrating congressional support for the OIG and for completing the Rancho investigation as swiftly as possible. It is important to hold responsible those accountable for this breakdown in food safety. As we noted on the House floor, the amendment transfers $1 million to the OIG, so that more resources are available to swiftly complete this investigation, close the case, and make sure we get answers, so that we can prevent this from happening again. The longer this investigation drags on, the more uncertainty businesses face.
After six months of investigations, the OIG has not closed the case nor responded to media reports of misconduct, including reports of an intimate relationship between a USDA inspector and an employee of the slaughterhouse. Given the significant impact this situation has had on our congressional districts, and the apparent threat posed to food safety, we ask that you support the swift completion of the ongoing investigations, and we ask for your support for implementing enacting any recommendations made as a result of these. In addition, we ask again that you provide us with an update regarding the status of USDA’s pending investigations into Rancho, and what information has been discovered about the activities at Rancho.
Thank you for your continued engagement on this issue.
Sincerely,
JARED HUFFMAN MIKE THOMPSON
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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