SAFE Act of 2025

This proposal would help keep U.S. meat, dairy, and other animal products moving to other countries during animal disease outbreaks. It lets the Department of Agriculture plan ahead with key trading partners so that, if a disease hits one area, exports can still continue from areas that are not affected. It does this by setting up “regional” agreements in advance, using tools like regionalization, zoning, or compartmentalization, and by relying on accepted global research as these plans are negotiated .

The agencies involved would include Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Food Safety and Inspection Service, working with the U.S. Trade Representative. The bill also makes clear it does not limit the Trade Representative’s ability to negotiate other trade deals or force trade deals to include this disease-language .

Key points

• Who is affected: Farmers, ranchers, meat and dairy processors, and exporters who rely on overseas markets.
• What changes: USDA can negotiate in advance with other countries to keep exports open from safe regions during outbreaks, using regionalization and similar tools, and considering the latest global research .
• What it doesn’t do: It doesn’t restrict broader trade talks or require other trade agreements to include these provisions.