Quick action by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has resolved an issue that temporarily stopped U.S. poultry product exports to Colombia. Colombia’s Ministry of Agriculture instructed all of their ports to deny import permits to any poultry products beginning June 1 on concerns of …
USDA Seeks Fiscal Year 2024 Suggestions for Plant Protection Projects
The USDA wants suggestions for some of next year’s projects. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks input for fiscal year 2024 Plant Protection Act funding to protect American agriculture and natural resources. The open period for submitting suggestions for Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program (PPDMDPP) …
Bill Would Make Feral Swine Eradication Program Permanent
A group of Senators recently introduced the “Feral Swine Eradication Act” to extend it for five years and make a pilot program permanent that would eliminate wild hogs to safeguard public health and protect agricultural crops and lands and wildlife habitat. Those Senators include Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA). Similar legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House. …
Atypical BSE Case Detected in South Carolina
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) last week announced the finding of an atypical case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). The approximately five-year-old or older beef cow tested positive following routine surveillance protocols at a slaughterhouse in South Carolina. The animal possessed a radio frequency identification tag associated with a herd in Tennessee. USDA APHIS and state animal …
USDA Awards Funding to Protect U.S. Cattle from FMD
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) last week awarded the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) with $445,400 in funding to advance the Secure Beef Supply Plan. The plan would go into effect in the event of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the U.S. “NCBA is grateful for this critical funding to help continue defending the U.S. cattle herd from …
Electronic ID Part of New Animal Disease Traceability Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a proposed rule to amend animal disease traceability regulations. It would make electronic ID tags both visually and electronically readable. Rod Bain reports this is designed for certain cattle and bison undergoing interstate movement. USDA Chief Veterinarian Rosemary Sifford explains the proposed rule available for public comment on …
USDA Developing New Ways to Track COVID in Wild and Domestic Animals
Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are developing new tests to identify and track the COVID virus in wild and domestic animals. Funded by the American Rescue Plan, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is implementing $300 million to conduct monitoring and surveillance of susceptible animals for the COVID virus. Through the initiative, ARS, in partnership with …
Senators Urge USDA to Address Avian Flu Immediately
A group of Senators urges the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to take swift action to address the ongoing avian influenza outbreak. The lawmakers asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to quickly use funds provided by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2023 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Led by Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin, the lawmakers said, “it …
USDA Seeks Comment on Proposal to Strengthen Animal Disease Traceability
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposes to amend animal disease traceability regulations and require electronic identification for interstate movement of certain cattle and bison. APHIS is also proposing to revise and clarify record requirements. The changes would strengthen the nation’s ability to quickly respond to significant animal disease outbreaks, according to USDA. Animal disease traceability, or knowing …
APHIS Reviews Genetically-Modified Tomato
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reviewed a new tomato variety from Norfolk Plant Sciences. The tomato was modified to alter its color to purple and enhance the nutritional quality. The agency says it found the plant is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated tomatoes and is not subject to regulation. …