News Release 2-21-2002 |
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FEDERAL FARM BIOSECURITY CHIEF TO VISIT CHARLESTON The man responsible for protecting America’s farms from foreign diseases and pests will join West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass in a press conference to discuss national plant and animal health at the Charleston Embassy Suites Hotel February 25, from 5-6 p.m. West Virginia native Bobby Acord, Administrator of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS), will be in Charleston to help the West Virginia Poultry Association honor Commissioner Douglass for his years of service to West Virginia agriculture. “I’m doubly honored that the poultry farmers want to host a dinner in my honor, and that Mr. Acord has agreed to attend the festivities,” said Commissioner Douglass. “He has truly been at the front lines in the fight against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and has led the charge for biosecurity preparedness.” Acord and Douglass are by no means strangers. Commissioner Douglass, the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the country, was chairman of the USDA’s Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases Advisory Committee, a cooperative venture among federal agencies, state departments of agriculture, trade associations, universities and agricultural producers to develop emergency response plans for an FMD outbreak in the United States. The group was formed in response to the FMD epidemic in Great Britain that resulted in the destruction of millions of head of livestock there. During national teleconferences, Douglass and Acord led much of the discussion. Following September 11, the conference calls have continued as a means of preparing the nation against possible bioterror attacks. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman selected Acord as APHIS Administrator in November 2001. Acord had served as APHIS’ Acting Administrator since September 2001 and as Associate Administrator since 1999. Prior to that, he served nearly a decade as Deputy Administrator for APHIS’ Wildlife Services program. As Administrator, Acord manages programs that are critical to the protection of America’s livestock, plants, and food supply against foreign agricultural pests and diseases. APHIS spends approximately $800 million annually and employs approximately 7,000 personnel, with nearly 5,000 of those on alert at our nation’s borders, ports of entry, and on farms, ensuring that appropriate prevention and preparedness programs are in place to protect U.S. agriculture. Among other distinctions, Acord has received two Presidential Rank Awards for his contributions to resolving agricultural health problems for USDA. These prestigious awards recognize career government executives who have demonstrated exceptional performance over an extended period of time. Only five percent of federal executives are eligible for the award in any given year. Acord is a graduate of West Virginia University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1966. After receiving his degree, he joined USDA and began a leave of absence to serve three years in the U.S. Army Veterinary Service. He returned to USDA after completing his service and has held numerous positions both in the field and at headquarters since that time. Acord resides in Marshall, Va., with his wife, Anna. The Acords have two grown children, a son and daughter. For more information, contact West Virginia Department of Agriculture Communications Officer Buddy Davidson at 304/558-3708. For more information on APHIS, visit their webpage at http://www.aphis.usda.gov. |
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©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
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