Top candidate for FSIS post under investigation
by Ken Krizner, senior editor
A lawyer with a background in food- and drug-related issues is the top choice to lead FSIS. But trouble may lie over the horizon.
The name of Michael R. Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for policy, has been sent to the White House, which is expected to approve his appointment as administrator of the inspection agency, a USDA source told Meat Marketing & Technology.
But Taylor, who is responsible for developing policy and processing regulations, is one of three FDA employees under investigation by the General Accounting Office on conflict-of-interest charges.
At issue is whether Taylor, Margaret A. Miller and Susan Sechen helped influence the approval process of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST), a gene-altering drug developed by Monsanto Corp. that increases milk yields in cows. FDA approved bST for commercial use in November.
Taylor left FDA in 1984 to join the Washington law firm of King and Spalding, which represents Monsanto. He rejoined the agency in 1991.
Martin J. Fitzgerald, GAO associate general counsel, told MM&T the inquiry centers on two questions: What were the past relationships between Monsanto and each of the three, and what were their duties and activities at FDA?
Rep. George E. Brown (D-Calif.), one of three congressmen who requested the investigation, told the New York Times that Taylor, Miller and Sechen helped develop FDA opinions that bST was safe and labeling dairy products containing the drug was unnecessary. This was after all three were paid by Monsanto for legal or scientific work on bST, according to Brown.
Taylor recused himself from any dealings with Monsanto for one year after returning to FDA, according to an agency spokesman.
Taylor could not be reached for comment. USDA spokeswoman Mary Dixon would not comment.
Fitzgerald will give his final report to Brown, and Reps. David R. Obey (D-Wis.) and Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.). They could turn the findings over to the Justice Department for further investigation.
FSIS has been without a permanent administrator since H. Russell Cross left in February. Terry L. Medley has been serving as acting administrator.
The agency is at several crossroads. A USDA reorganization plan elevating the FSIS administrator position to "undersecretary" level is on its way to fruition. Meanwhile, officials are writing a proposed rule for a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point program, and have recently unveiled new poultry inspection rules.