National Ag News
Former USDA communications dir. remembers the cow that stole Christmas
Feb 21, 2017, 17:29 PM
by
System
A lesson from the past shows the quick release of accurate information can maintain public confidence in the U.S. food supply.
Alisa Harrison clearly remembers the afternoon of December 23, 2003. The former USDA communications director under Secretary Ann Veneman was preparing to take time off when she answered a call from the public affairs officer at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
“I remember clearly,” Harrison told Brownfield Ag News, “she said we have a presumptive positive on BSE, and I was almost just speechless.”
USDA staff had prepared extensively to quickly communicate with the public in case of an incident involving the U.S.
