May 19, 2023

US pork council expresses support for foreign animal disease act

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) in the United States has welcomed the introduction of the US' Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance and Rapid Response Act of 2023.

The legislation reauthorises animal disease prevention and management programmes.

"We appreciate Senators John Cornyn, Amy Klobuchar and Joni Ernst and Representatives Ronny Jackson, Don Bacon, Jim Costa, Angie Craig and Don Davis for introducing this critical legislation to protect animal health," said NPPC president and Missouri pork producer Scott Hays. "With threats of African swine fever and other foreign animal diseases to livestock and poultry industries, having these provisions in the farm bill will ensure the US remains positioned to deliver safe and affordable food to consumers worldwide."

NPPC is advocating for a farm bill that fully funds critical programmes safeguarding US food supply against threats posed by foreign animal diseases (FAD). These include the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program.

"A FAD outbreak would immediately cripple the entire agricultural sector," Hays added. "Funding these programmes is vital for our success as they support efforts to prepare, prevent and mitigate any FAD threats."

- Swineweb