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Grassley Questions USDA Role At Egg Farms

Senator is asking Agriculture Secretary to address accusations federal workers ignored complaints about conditions at two Iowa farms involved in egg recall.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley is asking Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to address accusations that federal workers ignored complaints about conditions at two Iowa farms involved in the recall of salmonella-tainted eggs.

Two former farm workers said last week that U.S. Department of Agriculture employees at Wright County Egg had ignored their complaints.

Grassley sent a letter to Vilsack on Tuesday asking whether the USDA had received complaints and what was done to investigate the concerns. He also asked Vilsack whether there is a system in place for farm and USDA employees to report concerns.

USDA spokesman Caleb Weaver says the agency is working on a response to Grassley, but a USDA employee doesn't recall any concerns being raised.

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