Disease Management: Congress introduces new FAD control legislation in light of rising concerns
As reports of foreign animal diseases (FAD) draw closer to the U.S. border, Congress is taking a proactive approach to protecting the American animal agriculture industry.
On June 11, U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) reintroduced the Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance and Rapid Response Act of 2025 to the House, with support from coleaders Don Bacon (R-NE), Don Davis (D-NC) and Jim Costa (D-CA).
An amendment to the Animal Health Protection Act, this legislation will reauthorize animal disease prevention and management programs crucial to combatting the threat of FAD outbreaks.
Influence and objectives
The Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance and Rapid Response Act of 2025 would provide essential long-term funding for infrastructure aimed at preventing, controlling and eradicating FAD.
Programs like the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, the National Veterinary Stockpile and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank would all benefit from the proposed legislation.
The act features a three-pronged approach to combatting FAD, incorporating prevention and surveillance in addition to rapid response to ensure producers have multiple avenues to remain informed, alert and safeguarded against threats posed by potential outbreaks.
“As the representative of one of the largest animal agriculture districts in the country, I know how essential it is to ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has the tools necessary to stay ahead of FAD outbreaks, not just react to them,” says Jackson.
Fellow Texan agriculturists have been quick to echo their support for the proposed legislation. As one of the leading producers in animal agriculture, Texas producers know funding for preventative and prescriptive methods of combatting FAD is of vital importance.
“Increased investments to enhance disease surveillance, secure beef supply plans for cattle feeders and an expansion of the vaccine bank for FAD will significantly increase resiliency of the U.S. cattle and beef production supply chain,” argues Robby Kirkland, chairman of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA).
Relief for rising concerns
The proposed legislation comes at a pivotal point in time, as concerns of FADs like the New World screwworm (NWS) and African swine fever (ASF) encroaching upon American soil continue to mount.
It was reintroduced exactly one month after U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the suspension of livestock imports through U.S. ports of entry along the Southern Border, in response to an outbreak of NWS in Mexico.
“With the threat of NWS moving closer to our southern border and the USDA being required to halt live animal imports from Mexico, proactive investment is critical to protect our agricultural producers, our rural economies and our food supply,” Jackson remarks.
Texas Farm Bureau President and bill shareholder Russell Boening also notes the timeliness of the proposed legislation.
“Investing in animal health programs to prevent FADs such as NWS, foot and mouth disease and ASF is of critical importance,” he argues. “Increased international movement of livestock and humans pose a greater risk than ever before of introducing or spreading animal diseases, and with detections of NWS just 700 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border, the need for this legislation is more dire than ever.”
Shareholders show support
In addition to the TCFA and the Texas Farm Bureau, several other associations have voiced their support for this animal health legislation update.
Additional shareholders include the American Sheep Industry Association, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Livestock Marketing Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council and National Turkey Federation.
“Enhancing the nation’s animal health infrastructure is vital for improving our ability to prevent, prepare for and respond to FADs,” stresses AVMA President Dr. Sandra Faeh. “The proposed legislation would direct critical resources to key federal programs which play a crucial role in safeguarding food security and public health by enabling swift action against serious animal disease outbreaks.”
“The AVMA fully supports this bill and urges Congress to pass the bipartisan Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance and Rapid Response Act of 2025 to ensure these essential protections are in place,” Faeh continues.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
