Omnibus Appropriations Bill Provides Critical Resources for USDA Oversight of Dog Imports
By: Patti Strand Date: 03/15/2022 Category: | Animal Legislation |
For more information contact For Immediate Release
National Animal Interest Alliance
naia@naiaonline.org or 503-227-8450
PORTLAND, OR, UNITED STATES, March 11, 2022 -- “The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) is heartened by the inclusion of critical funds – $1 million – to protect animal and public health in the FY 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which passed the House and Senate this week.
Due to gaps in current dog import regulations, imported dogs have been responsible for the introduction and transmission of diseases, parasites, and pests into the U.S., including rabies, canine influenza, leptospirosis, melioidosis, leishmaniasis, onchocerosis, and screwworm. In July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was forced to suspend dog importation from over 100 countries at high risk of rabies transmission. In August, the US Department of Agriculture announced dog import restrictions to protect the U.S. swine herd from the entry or introduction of African swine fever (ASF), a disease that would devastate the US swine industry.
NAIA commends CDC and USDA for taking swift action but recognizes that these measures are temporary and apply to less than 10 percent of dogs imported into the U.S. each year.
As the federal agencies tasked with safeguarding animal and public health continue to protect our country, we must ensure they have adequate resources to oversee dog importation. NAIA is gratified to see Congress provide this essential funding and looks forward to continuing our work with the sponsors and cosponsors of the Healthy Dog Importation Act (H.R. 4239/S. 2597) to help maintain animal and public health and reduce the potential spread of zoonotic diseases.
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The National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) is broad-based animal welfare organization founded in 1991 to provide balanced and effective solutions to complex problems regarding animals. The mission of NAIA is to promote animal welfare, to strengthen the human-animal bond, and safeguard the rights of responsible animal owners.
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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