The recently passed 2018 farm bill contains $120 million in mandatory funding for animal disease prevention and preparedness efforts. Included in that is money for a Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccine Bank. Nebraska Pork Producers Association Executive Director Al Juhnke says that vaccine bank is critical and he’s pleased farm bill conferees included it in the final measure.
He says the farm bill also provides funding for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network which provides diseases and diagnostic support.
Juhnke says there are several other positive provisions in the new farm legislation and he’s pleased Congress completed it before they had to start over again in January.
The National Pork Producers Council worked with other farm groups and veterinarians to lobby Congress to provide funding for research on animal diseases, and the ability to respond if diseases are identified in the nation’s herds and flocks.
