Sponsors (3)
The bill aims to improve cattle tick-control effectiveness and transparency through a formal review that could reduce livestock disease and regulatory burden, but it redirects resources to study and may impose short-term administrative and transition costs for taxpayers and producers.
Farmers and cattle producers could see fewer tick-borne illnesses in their herds if the Program becomes more effective, lowering livestock losses and veterinary costs.
Farmers and cattle producers may face lower compliance burdens if the mandated review recommends streamlined rules or alternative treatment protocols.
Taxpayers gain greater transparency because the review must detail Federal and State funds allocated to the Program and each research project for the most recent fiscal year.
Farmers and agricultural producers may experience delayed near-term Program improvements because agency resources could be diverted to carry out the review.
Taxpayers and producers could incur additional administrative and contracting costs as USDA uses funds and staff for the review rather than direct control activities.
Cattle producers may face new compliance requirements and transition costs if the review leads to changed protocols, increasing short-term regulatory and operational burdens.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires USDA to contract with an eligible agricultural college to review the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and report improvement recommendations within set deadlines.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to offer, within one year, to contract with a qualifying agricultural college or university to review the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program run by APHIS with the Texas Animal Health Commission. The contracted review must evaluate program effectiveness, producer burdens, treatment protocols, and federal/state funding for the most recent fiscal year, and the Secretary must send Congress a report with findings and recommendations within one year after the contract is entered.
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to review the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 14, 2025 by Monica De La Cruz · Last progress January 14, 2025