Representative Angie Craig Urges House Leadership to Fund African Swine Fever Prevention Efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig, Cindy Axne and Cheri Bustos led Representatives David Scott, Jim Costa, Abigail Spanberger and G. K. Butterfield in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushing for $75 million in funding for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prevent and prepare for a possible African Swine Fever outbreak in the U.S. swine population. The Members requested that House Leadership include this funding in the next continuing resolution or supplemental appropriations package that moves through Congress.

In July, APHIS confirmed the presence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in samples collected from hogs in the Dominican Republic, raising concerns that an outbreak could reach the United States.

"A confirmed ASF positive sample in any U.S. state or territory would be devastating to the American pork industry and rural economy. An outbreak in any part of the U.S would restrict pork producers from being able to participate in global trade," wrote the Members. "America's pork producers are a crucial part of the food supply chain domestically and they contribute close to seven billion dollars in global exports. Therefore, significant additional investments in APHIS are vital."

"It is critical that USDA has the funds needed to protect the U.S. swine herd from African swine fever," said Jen Sorenson, president of the National Pork Producers Council. "Although ASF isn't a threat to people, among hogs it's highly contagious with mortality rates approaching 100 percent. If ASF enters our country and we are unable to control it, hundreds of thousands of American jobs and billions of dollars would be lost. We thank the members of Congress on this letter for their work to protect U.S. pork and call on Congress to act now."

"Pork producers in Minnesota and around the country are grateful to Representative Craig and the members of Congress who are committed on getting more funds to prevent and, if necessary, control and eradicate African swine fever in the U.S. swine herd," said David Preisler, CEO of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association. "Although ASF isn't a threat to people, among hogs it's highly contagious with mortality rates approaching 100 per cent. If ASF enters the U.S. and we are unable to control it, hundreds of thousands of American jobs and billions of dollars would be lost which would devastating to the hard-working farmers and economy of Minnesota."

You can find the full text of the letter

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

As the 117th Congress continues its work to deliver results for the American people, we urge you to prioritize funding for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prevent and prepare for a possible African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in the U.S. swine population. Significant investments to prevent ASF are necessary now to ensure that pork producers in our districts and across the country do not suffer the severe consequences of a potential ASF outbreak in the United States.

In an alarming update published on July 28, 2021, APHIS confirmed ASF in samples collected from hogs in the Dominican Republic. In the nearly two months since that announcement, APHIS has rapidly mobilized to prevent ASF from entering the U.S. A confirmed ASF positive sample in any U.S. state or territory would be devastating to the American pork industry and rural economy. An outbreak in any part of the U.S would restrict pork producers from being able to participate in global trade. America's pork producers are a crucial part of the food supply chain domestically and they contribute close to seven billion dollars in global exports. Therefore, significant additional investments in APHIS are vital.

In the next continuing resolution or supplemental appropriations package, we urge you to ensure that $75 million is included for the following ASF preparedness and response provisions:

Increased funding of $20 million for additional staff for APHIS-Veterinary Service (VS) field force. This funding will build field capacity to respond to and address a potential ASF or other foreign animal disease outbreak on the mainland U.S. or U.S. territories.

Funding the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) at the authorized level of $30 million. This investment would double capacity for ASF-PCR testing at NAHLN laboratories and build infrastructure and workforce capabilities to address foreign animal disease surveillance and response.

$25 million for the National Veterinary Stockpile for large animal depopulation and disposal equipment. If ASF is detected in the U.S., large-scale euthanasia or depopulation of animals will be necessary for the emergency control and eradication of ASF. The lack of resources within the NVS was a serious gap during the response to COVID market disruptions.

Thank you for considering this urgent request and incorporating significant ASF prevention funding in the next available vehicle that moves through this Congress.

Sincerely,