Minnesota State Wire

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-M), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Animal Disease and Disaster Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act of 2023. This legislation would boost resources for programs that help prevent and respond to animal disease outbreaks, including the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB). These programs were created through Klobuchar and Cornyn’s Animal Disease and Disaster Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act of 2018. 

“When animal disease outbreaks hit, the impact is felt by farmers, rural communities, and our entire food supply chain. That’s why I worked with Senator Cornyn to ensure that animal disease preparedness would be part of the 2018 Farm Bill,” said Klobuchar. “This bipartisan legislation will continue this progress in order to prevent animal disease and help ensure our farmers have the tools they need to succeed.” 

“Foreign animal diseases cost our agriculture industry millions of dollars, disrupt international trade, and threaten livestock supply chains,” said Cornyn. “This bill would provide USDA the resources to prevent, prepare, and respond to foreign animal disease outbreaks, which will protect Texas agriculture and ensure the U.S. continues to enjoy the safest and most abundant food supply in the world.” 

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson (R-TX). 

The Animal Disease and Disaster Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act would help bolster the USDAs prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities before a foreign animal disease outbreak makes its way to the U.S by increasing critical investments into the NADPRP, the NAVVCB, and National Animal Health Laboratory Network programs. 

Original source can be found here.