WASHINGTON | The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced this week that they are awarding the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) with $445,396 in funding to advance the Secure Beef Supply Plan (SBS) in the event of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the U.S.
“NCBA thanks USDA for awarding this critical funding to help continue defending the U.S. cattle herd from the threat of foot-and-mouth disease. The Secure Beef Supply Plan combined with USDA's national vaccine bank provides a strong safety net for cattle producers and multiple tools to mitigate risk from a potential outbreak," said Allison Rivera, NCBA executive director of government affairs. "This funding was made available through the 2018 Farm Bill, showing why continued support and further funding for animal disease preparation measures like the Secure Beef Supply Plan and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasure Bank are so important as Congress works on the 2023 Farm Bill.”
Background
The SBS Plan provides guidance on workable business continuity measures for beef cattle operations with no evidence of FMD infection during an FMD outbreak. The SBS Plan is the result of a multi-year collaborative effort by industry, state, federal, and academic representatives to provide guidance on moving uninfected cattle to continue beef cattle production and keep grocery store shelves stocked.
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America's cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.
CONTACT:
Hunter Ihrman, hihrman@beef.org
Steve Johnson, srjohnson@beef.org