Veneman announces Bush's plan for 2004 budget for food safety

WASHINGTON - Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, speaking in Atlanta at the U.S. Poultry and Egg Assocation exposition Thursday, said President Bush will seek an 11 percent increase in the Agriculture Department&#39;s 2004 budget to strengthen protections against harmful bacteria in food and increase security at laboratories. <br> <br> Veneman says the recommendation in the budget that Bush will send to Congress next month would be $797 million up by $81 million over the 2002 budget, and a $100 million more than in 2001. <br> <br> But strengthening the department&#39;s meat and poultry food safety protection system is just part of the goal. The proposed budget also includes $70 million to strengthen security to guard against bioterrorism. Officials say that&#39;s particularly important at the Agriculture Departments&#39;s laboratories where animal diseases, plant pests, and vaccines are studied.