NAIA Leads Appeal for Healthy Dog Import Resources for USDA
By: Patti Strand Date: 04/12/2022 Category: | Animal Legislation | Animal Welfare |
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For Immediate Release
National Animal Interest Alliance
naia@naiaonline.org or 503-227-8450
NAIA Leads Appeal for Healthy Dog Import Resources for USDA
PORTLAND, OR, UNITED STATES, April 12, 2022 - Today, the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) was joined by nearly a dozen national animal health, veterinary, livestock, and pet stakeholder organizations urging Congress to protect pets, livestock, and U.S. public health through stronger oversight of imported dogs. The group is asking Congress to continue funding at no less than previous levels for activities to safeguard animal and public health and reduce the potential spread of zoonotic diseases. This request for stronger interagency coordination and funding comes on the heels of Congress providing $1 million through the FY 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Bill to bolster USDA’s actions to prevent transmission of diseases, parasites, and pests into the U.S.
In 2021 the CDC temporarily suspended dog imports from over 100 countries and USDA announced dog import restrictions to protect the U.S. swine herd from the entry or introduction of African swine fever (ASF). As the federal agencies tasked with safeguarding animal and public health continue to protect our country, NAIA is working to ensure they have adequate resources to oversee dog importation.
Patti Strand, NAIA President and Co-Founder, stated “The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) strongly supports the inclusion of critical funds for USDA’s healthy dog import oversight in the FY 2023 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. Limited health requirements and inspection has resulted in the importation of animals that arrive in poor health, as well as the importation of animals carrying various diseases from rabies to canine influenza to leptospirosis, among others. Equally as important is Congressional action on the Healthy Dog Importation Act, which would strengthen common-sense requirements to bring dogs into the United States.”
A PDF version of this letter can be found here.
Patti Strand, President NAIA 1017 SW Morrison Suite 511 Portland OR 97205 503-761-8962 naia@naiaonline.org
About The Author
Patti is a recognized expert and consultant on contemporary animal issues, most notably responsible dog ownership and the animal rights movement. She often appears on radio and television and her articles on canine issues, animal welfare, public policy and animal rights have appeared in major US news publications and in trade, professional and scientific journals. Patti and her…
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