AVMA applauds release of farm bill conference report

​The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) issued the following statement in response to today's release of a farm bill conference report by Congress. The report includes language that funds and authorizes several programs important to animal health, including a proactive, three-pronged approach to animal disease. This approach consists of a new National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, enhanced resources for the existing National Animal Health Laboratory Network and a new national livestock vaccine bank with immediate attention to foot-and-mouth disease. Congress is expected to make a final vote on the report in the coming days.

"We applaud Congress for issuing a farm bill conference report that recognizes the need for proactive and preventive solutions for veterinary medicine and animal agriculture. The bill's new three-pronged approach to animal health can play a vital role in helping veterinarians mitigate animal disease outbreaks and protect animal health. We are continuing to analyze the full text of the bill, but we are grateful to the lawmakers we've worked with and who have championed these priorities. We're also pleased with the inclusion and funding of research programs critical to bettering animal health and welfare. We look forward to working with Congress as their work to pass the bill continues."