By Scout Nelson
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee has passed a new reconciliation bill designed to support livestock producers and improve national protections against animal disease. This bill includes several provisions that address concerns raised by producers through the grassroots policy process.
The legislation includes important support for cattle producers facing losses due to natural disasters or predator attacks. One key section offers reimbursement for livestock loss caused by predators that are federally protected. This helps ensure producers can recover financially from these unavoidable events.
The bill also aims to expand access to the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, which supports producers facing extended drought conditions. This change ensures more people in agriculture can receive assistance when weather impacts their ability to produce food and manage herds.
Another major part of the bill is continued funding for the Feral Swine Eradication Program, which helps reduce the damage wild pigs cause to farmland and ecosystems. Feral swine can destroy crops and spread disease, so managing their population is vital for agriculture.
The legislation further strengthens what is known as the “three-legged stool” that protects the cattle industry from foreign animal disease. This includes support for:
- The National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program
- The National Animal Health Laboratory Network
- The National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB)
NAVVCB plays a key role in holding emergency supplies to combat outbreaks such as foot-and-mouth disease.
“This legislation reflects the priorities raised by producers across the country,” shared an official, showing how the bill connects to real concerns in the field.
The bill now moves forward to the full House, where it will be reviewed and debated before potentially becoming law.
Photo Credit:kansas-livestock-foundation
Categories: Kansas, Livestock, Dairy Cattle, Weather