The Animal Disease Risk Assessment Prevention and Control Act would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to report to Congress on government agencies' strategies to prevent these diseases as well as needs for increased statutory authority and funding to carry out their activities.
"One of USDA's highest priorities is to keep America's livestock free of foot and mouth and BSE," Grassley said. "We want to help the administration by providing the necessary resources to further manage the threat of these diseases and communicate its efforts to America's farmers and families."
The bill would require USDA to provide Congress with reports on the government's foot and mouth and BSE related efforts after 30 days and 180 days.
The 30 day report would provide short-term information about the government's plans to prevent and control foot and mouth and BSE. The report would detail how federal agencies are coordinating their prevention efforts and communicating disease related information to the public. It also would list additional legislative authority and funding needed by the administration to continue its fight against these livestock diseases.
The 180 day report would focus on the government's long-term disease prevention and management strategy for reducing risks in the future. The long-range report would detail the potential risks posed by the diseases and provide recommendations to protect public and animal health. The report also would estimate the economic impact these diseases could have on the United States if they were introduced in the country.
"The United States has a strong track record when it comes to diligent inspections and compliance on these issues," Grassley said. "It's vitally important that we build upon our prevention efforts and increase the public's attention to what they can do to help fight the spread of these diseases. The health of our people, our farms and our animals depend on it."