Bishop: 'Serious concerns' ahead of Plum Island hearings

A New York congressman whose district includes the Plum Island Animal Disease Center is questioning the federal government’s plans to move it to Kansas.

Rep. Tim Bishop said Monday he’s written to the leaders of a House subcommittee on Homeland Security, saying he had “serious concerns” with the proposed sale.

Hearings on the sale, which could still be years away, are scheduled for Wednesday in Connecticut and Thursday on eastern Long Island.

The island has been home to an animal disease lab since the 1950s. U.S. officials have announced plans for a new National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility in Manhattan, Kan. Safety studies for moving the lab to the mainland are under way.

Bishop says the new lab could cost over $650 million, but says the Plum Island sale might only yield $50 million to $80 million.