MONTEE: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FAILED MISSOURI OVER LAST TWO YEARS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday July 16, 2008
CONTACT: Samantha Brewer,
Public Affairs Coordinator
(573) 751-5313
E-mail:
Samantha.Brewer@auditor.mo.gov
"From prospering puppy mills to illegal lawsuit settlements, the Missouri Department of Agriculture let us down time and again,” Montee said. “While some of these issues are behind us, others are continuing even today. This is a department in need of serious help.”
(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today State Auditor Susan Montee released an audit of the Department of Agriculture (MDA), identifying several issues needing immediate attention.
During February 2007, the MDA issued a check for $70,000 from the Agriculture-Federal and Other Fund in an effort to settle the legal claims of a department employee. This payment contradicted state law and was inconsistent with the purpose and intent of the fund.
During 2007, the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA) entered into grant agreements totaling $500,000 under the Livestock Odor Abatement Program with three entities. These grant funds were disbursed in a hurried fashion, without regard for the grants' terms. None of the payments complied with the terms of the grant agreements or were supported by documentation of expenditures.
The MDA has not conducted adequate audits or reviews of ethanol and biodiesel incentive producer grant applications.
There are several MDA programs for which the revenues generated by license, inspection, or membership fees are significantly less than the costs to operate the programs. Additionally, the department has not complied with fee analysis requirements in multiple divisions.
The audit found the MDA, Animal Care Facilities Act Program, had findings similar to those noted in our prior report issued in 2004 regarding inspections. Highlighting one particular area, Montee said, “We continue to find a lack of oversight over puppy breeding facilities, commonly referred to as ‘puppy mills’. These puppy mills are an embarrassment to our state and need immediate attention.”
Also included in the audit report are recommendations related to the petroleum device and safety inspection program, the commercial feed inspection program, treated timber licensing and inspection, and the state mediation grant.
