FDA cutting labs

Despite yesterday's news that the number of FDA food safety inspections dropped by 46% between 2003 and 2006, the news today is that the FDA is proceeding with plans to close more than half of its labs. According to a story reported by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the FDA will act before Congress can stop them.
From their story:

According to briefings of agency staff, FDA’s current network of 13 laboratories will be reduced to six as a result of closing facilities in Denver, Detroit, Philadelphia, Kansas City, San Francisco, Winchester (Massachusetts) and San Juan (Puerto Rico).
"FDA has yet to explain why slashing its network of laboratories will make it more capable of protecting the American people,” stated of PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, noting that a previous review by the Government Accountability Office failed to confirm any fiscal savings from a similar laboratory consolidation plan a decade ago. “FDA claims it wants to move into the 21st century but seems determined to leave its own employees behind.”


TK: Critics say the closings will slow agency response time by increasing the miles samples have to be transported for testing. FDA needs to make a case for these closings that makes sense, and so far they haven't.