Agriculture Department To Close 260 Sites

The Agriculture Department plans to close nearly 260 sites nationwide. Closures would hit both offices and laboratories in Washington and 46 states. Secretary Tom Vilsask says it will save $150 million a year. Some of the closings were previously announced, including 10 agricultural research stations. Elisabeth Hagen, undersecretary for food safety, said the closures would not cause a reduction in food inspection. But one district manager says the department is wiping out the Midwest.