1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

The Trump administration's abrupt termination of U.S. funding for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Global Health Security Program has jeopardized crucial animal disease monitoring efforts. Among the discontinued projects were initiatives dedicated to containing the spread of the potentially devastating New World Screwworm in Central America and avian influenza in Asia. These cuts undermine vital biosecurity measures at a time when the U.S. is grappling with its own major avian flu outbreak impacting poultry flocks. The screwworm monitoring program's cancellation is particularly concerning given the pest's recent detection in Mexico and the temporary halt on cattle imports to prevent its transmission across the border. Safeguarding livestock health and maintaining robust disease surveillance are critical for protecting America's agricultural industries and food supply. I urge you to press the administration to reinstate funding for these essential FAO programs that fortify global biosecurity and reinforce barriers against potentially devastating animal disease outbreaks reaching U.S. soil.