WASHINGTON -- Food-industry associations last week said they supported President Bush's choice of Dr. Mark McClellan to fill the long-vacant post chairman at the Food and Drug Administration.
"Given the national focus on food safety and food security, having someone at the helm of Food and Drug has been a top priority, and we applaud the President for making that appointment," said Tom Zaucha, president, National Grocers Association, Arlington, Va.
He said McClellan "brings a heck of a lot to that position."
A spokesman for the Food Marketing Institute, also based here, said the association was "pleased President Bush is filling the post. It is an important role."
The Grocery Manufacturers of America agreed: "I think with the state of the world today, that's a really important position to have filled, and we're looking forward to working with him," said Susan Stout, vice president, federal affairs, GMA.
McClellan, a member of the White House Council of Economic Advisors, was reported to have bi-partisan support. The post, which could play a role in federal anti-bioterrorism efforts, has been vacant since Bush became president in 2001.
Stout said one of the priorities is the creation of rules for the implementation of the Bioterrorism Act.
"They have a pretty short time frame as mandated by Congress to complete those rulemakings," she said.
