Reporters and government watchdog groups say they're worried that crucial food safety data could be hidden from the public under a farm bill the US Senate is debating.

At issue is the National Animal Tracking System.

The program was created after the nation's first case of Mad Cow Disease in 2003.

The watchdog groups say an effort is under way to exempt some agriculture department documents from freedom of information laws.

One journalist says citizens should be made aware of dangers in their own communities, including livestock that can cause serious illness and death.

Cattle groups say certain disclosures could harm their business