The Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance and Rapid Response Act of 2023 was introduced in the U.S. Senate last week. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation would continue making critical investments in foreign animal disease response programs currently overseen by USDA. KLA and NCBA both support this legislation.
“The threat of a foreign animal disease outbreak in the United States represents an existential threat to every cattle producer. It would also threaten this nation’s food and national security. We must act now to ensure we are prepared to combat a potential crisis before it happens,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer.
Specifically, the act would provide additional funding for three important animal health programs established through the 2018 Farm Bill, including the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB), the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). NAVVCB was established due to NCBA’s advocacy efforts during the 2018 Farm Bill and currently houses foot-and-mouth disease vaccines and diagnostic test kits. NADPRP supports programs like the Secure Beef Supply Plan, which will help maintain business continuity in the event of a disease outbreak. Finally, NAHLN conducts essential research, disease monitoring and testing. All three programs are supported by KLA and NCBA.