Swine Vets Lobby for Foreign Animal Disease Funding in 2023 Farm Bill

June 27, 2023 — 

On Tuesday, June 20, swine veterinarians from around the country flew into Washington, DC to lobby Congress to secure funding for foreign animal diseases (FAD) prevention in the 2023 Farm Bill.

The subject matter experts highlighted the importance of the "three-legged stool", which includes the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB), National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) and the National Veterinary Stockpile (NVS).

Swine veterinarians received a farm bill debrief from NPPC staff, heard from Dr. Koren Custer, USDA APHIS' Assistant Director of Swine Health, on how funds from the 2018 Farm Bill were utilized, and Dr. Doug Ensley, Boehringer Ingelheim's Director of Veterinary Public Health provided an update on veterinary vaccine and countermeasures banks. After much discussion and conversation, participants went to meet with U.S. Senators and Representatives.

Why is it important:

The Western Hemisphere has detected an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) - a highly contagious, viral and deadly disease with no vaccine or cure - for the first time in 40 years. If funding is not provided for preventative measures and programs to stop other FADs from entering the U.S., American agriculture is at risk.

The "three-legged stool" programs provide stability for producers and veterinarians when faced with challenges from FADs such as ASF, classical swine fever (CSF), foot-and-mouth disease and more.

NPPC's take:

By prioritizing animal health and well-being, NPPC strongly supports and advocates for additional funding for FAD prevention and protection of the American food supply in the 2023 Farm Bill.

Learn more:

For more information, check out NPPC's animal well-being page.

Read the NPPC Foreign Animal Disease policy document.

[Source: NPPC 23 June 2023]