October 3, 2001

Contact: Steven Cohen; 202-347-3600
cohens@nppc.org

HARKIN, LUGAR INTRODUCE ANIMAL HEALTH PROTECTION ACT

National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Barb Determan today commended Sens. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) for introducing the Animal Health Protection Act, a bill that will modernize and streamline the ability of the U.S. government to respond to an animal health emergency.

"In the event of an outbreak of an animal disease, response time and clear lines of authority are critical components of a successful containment strategy," Determan said. "Currently, authority for animal health issues is scattered throughout the U.S. Code. The Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA) would fill gaps in existing laws, clarify areas of uncertainty, and enhance the Secretary of Agriculture's ability to carry out the mission of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). By updating and simplifying statutes relating to animal health issues, more precisely defining the powers and responsibilities of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and ensuring that compensation to livestock owners would be available, our ability to quickly respond to and contain an outbreak will be significantly enhanced."

In addition to Harkin and Lugar, original sponsors of the legislation, S. 1482, are: Sens. Ben Nelson (D-NE); Orin Hatch (R-UT); Mark Dayton (D-MN); Wayne Allard (R-CO); Daniel Akaka (D-HI); Tim Johnson (D-SD); Michael Crapo (R-ID); Jesse Helms (R-NC) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR).

In 1983 and 1988, a subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee held hearings that resulted in two draft parallel bills, the Plant Protection Act (PPA) and the AHPA. After almost 18 years, the consolidated and modernized plant protection legislation was passed as a part of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000.

Determan said that without the passage of the AHPA, APHIS’ plant and animal authorities will not be equivalent and domestic livestock will lack the protection afforded to plant agriculture.

"For example, the current law for animal health sets the maximum civil penalty for illegal importation or smuggling at $1,000 per violation" Determan said. "To be consistent with the PPA, the AHPA seeks to set a maximum of $50,000 for an individual. Civil penalties for other than individuals are increased to a maximum of $250,000 per violation with a maximum of $500,000 in a single adjudication.

The AHPA has also been introduced in the House. Reps. Richard Pombo (R-CA) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) are the prime sponsors of the legislation.

 

Home | About | Producers | Associations | Public Policy | Newsroom | Resources | Capital Update | Events | Join Email List | Site Map