Representative Angie Craig Applauds USDA Announcement on Funding for Drought Relief, African Swine Fever Prevention

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement of $500 million in funding for both African Swine Fever prevention and drought relief programs – both of which are priorities that the Congresswoman has repeatedly urged USDA to address. Earlier today, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the new funding, which was coupled with a combined $2 billion for school nutrition programs and programs designed to alleviate the impact of agricultural market disruptions on producers.

"Minnesota has suffered from dangerously dry conditions all year, and more than 50% of the state is still experiencing severe drought – creating dire conditions for Minnesota's farmers and livestock producers who were just beginning to recover from the COVID-19 economic crisis. At the same time, pork producers in my district and across the country face the threat of an ASF outbreak, which would be devastating to the American pork industry and our rural economy," said Representative Craig. "For our family farmers and producers, these are not sustainable conditions. I am grateful to Secretary Vilsack for heeding our calls and establishing these programs to support the hardworking men and women who feed, clothe and fuel this country."

Last week, Representative Craig called on Secretary Vilsack to take serious action to prevent African Swine Fever in the U.S. Earlier this month, Representative Craig urged House leadership to approve funding for programs at USDA to prevent and prepare for a possible African Swine Fever outbreak in the U.S. swine population. In August, Craig invited Secretary Vilsack to Cannon Calls, Minnesota, to hear from local farmers and ranchers about the impact of severe drought in the state. Craig also authored bipartisan legislation to provide farmers and ranchers emergency flexibility to help alleviate livestock feed shortages due to extreme moisture or drought conditions.

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