PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
July 6, 2006 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856

LINCOLN - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Mike Johanns has appointed Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach to the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases. Ibach was notified of the appointment in a letter from Johanns last week.

According to a Federal Register notice, the Committee advises the Secretary of Agriculture on actions necessary to prevent the introduction of foreign animal diseases of livestock and poultry into the United States. In addition, the Committee advises the Secretary on contingency planning and on maintaining a state of preparedness to deal with these diseases, if introduced.

Ibach, who maintains a cow/calf operation near Sumner, said, "I hope to be able to utilize my livestock background to provide insight to the Committee. I look forward to serving in this important role and being able to provide our agriculture industry's perspective on national policy issues that will directly impact Nebraska."

Ibach will serve a two-year term on the Committee. Ibach has served as Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture since June 2005. Prior to becoming Director, he served as NDA Assistant Director for over six years.