The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced major updates to its farm bill animal health programs, including increased annual funding and expanded investments made possible through the 2025 Working Families Tax Cuts Act.
Through the Act, annual funding for APHIS’ three farm bill animal health programs — the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP), the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB) — increased from $30 million to $233 million beginning in fiscal year 2026 (FY26). This investment allows APHIS to scale up and modernize its national preparedness efforts and strengthens the nation’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to high consequence animal diseases.
“This historic investment gives us the tools we need to protect farmers’ and ranchers’ herds, their livelihoods, and the rural communities they sustain,” said USDA Under Secretary Dudley Hoskins. “Farm security is national security, and with this increased funding, we are strengthening early disease detection, expanding vaccine and diagnostic stockpiles, and backing practical, on-the-ground projects that help producers prepare for and respond to the most serious animal disease threats. These programs are about keeping animals healthy, protecting producer livelihoods, and keeping American agriculture strong.”
National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP)
NADPRP helps safeguard U.S. agriculture by funding projects that build federal, state, tribal and industry capabilities to prepare for and respond to high-consequence animal diseases, including New World screwworm, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), African swine fever (ASF) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), as well as emerging threats such as the Asian longhorned tick (ALHT) and Theileria orientalis Ikeda, a parasite transmitted by ALHT that causes a severe and currently untreatable disease in cattle. This work strengthens food security, supports producers, and enhances resilience across rural communities.
APHIS is implementing a combined FY26–FY27 NADPRP spending plan that streamlines processes and better aligns investments with stakeholder identified priorities. As part of this plan, APHIS will make up to $80 million available through two FY27 competitive funding opportunities:
National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN)
The NAHLN is a nationally coordinated network of federal, state and university associated laboratories that provide rapid, reliable diagnostic testing for both foreign and endemic high consequence animal diseases. These laboratories form the front line of early detection, enabling swift response efforts that limit impacts on producers and protect the nation’s food supply.
APHIS provided $10 million in noncompetitive FY26 funding to NAHLN laboratories and will award an additional $10 million in FY27 for operational support. These investments ensure the network has the personnel capacity and resources needed for early detection, rapid response, and effective recovery during disease events.
National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB)
NAVVCB allows APHIS to stockpile critical vaccines and veterinary countermeasures for high consequence foreign animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). This stockpiling capability serves as essential insurance should an FMD outbreak occur.
APHIS has invested more than $85 million in NAVVCB since FY2020 and will significantly expand purchases in FY27 with over $153 million in new investments for FMD vaccine antigen concentrate and diagnostic test kits or other countermeasures for high-consequence diseases. These tools help ensure rapid, effective response if needed and support faster recovery for America’s farmers and ranchers.
