White House threatens farm-funds veto

WASHINGTON, July 31 (Reuters) The White House threatened to veto an agricultural funding bill today on grounds it spends too much and ties the administration's hands on issues ranging from prescription drugs to school snacks.

In a statement, the White House said the fiscal 2008 funding bill for the Agriculture Department and the Food and Drug Administration proposed spending 1 billion dollars more than was wise, considering the need to control the federal deficit.

''Because Congress has failed to demonstrate such a path, if H.R. 3161 were presented to the president, he would veto the bill,'' the White House said, referring to the funding bill.

Connecticut Democrat Rosa DeLauro, whose subcommittee drafted the bill, said it included 28 million dollars for FDA to begin an overhaul of its food safety operations and strengthened US food safety programs as well. The House began debate on the bill today.

DeLauro cited concern about tainted food imports and said ''trade should not trump public health.'' Besides the spending level, the White House objected to language that would: --allow importation of prescription drugs from overseas.

The White House said there would be no way to assure safety of the imports.

--ban import of poultry meat grown or processed in China.

The White House said China's poultry inspection system ''is equivalent to the system in the United States.'' --block USDA from implementing ''risk-based inspection'' of meat processing plants.

--allot 21 million dollars so fresh fruits and vegetables would be available as snacks in grade schools. The administration said it has suggested ways to make better use of school food programs.

--withhold funding from a program to create a nationwide livestock-tracking system.

Reuters AK VP0132