The Senate Appropriations Committee has increased funding for the FDA from $2.447 billion to $2.479 billion for fiscal 2012 to allow the agency to implement the recently passed Food Safety Modernization Act, which expands its authority and oversight. Overall funding for the Department of Agriculture falls $138 million to $19.78 billion in fiscal 2012 under the bill.
Non-security spending falls by $192 million below fiscal 2011, but the bill provides $266 million to respond to floods, storms and other natural disasters.
The committee said it prioritized programs directly related to public health and safety and domestic and international nutrition assistance.
Funding for the Food Safety and Inspection Service remained steady at $1.007 billion.
The House’s version of the bill, passed in June along party lines, would cut $87 million from the agency’s food safety mission, and would cut $35 million from the FSIS.
The White House at the time argued the cuts would force the agency to furlough meat and poultry inspectors – and limit implementation of the FMSA.