What's Happening?
The Farm Journal Foundation has released a report titled 'THE MEAN SIXTEEN: Major Biosecurity Threats Facing U.S. Agriculture and How Policy Solutions Can Help,' which identifies 16 significant pest and disease
threats to American agriculture. These threats are causing substantial economic damage and increasing food prices. The report emphasizes the need for increased funding in agricultural research and development to prevent and manage these outbreaks. Dr. Stephanie Mercier, the report's author, highlights the impact on various sectors, including row crops, horticulture, livestock, and aquaculture. The report calls for policy solutions to enhance monitoring and response systems, as well as public-private partnerships to address these biosecurity challenges.
Why It's Important?
The resurgence of biosecurity threats poses a significant risk to U.S. agriculture, affecting food prices and the economy. The report underscores the importance of investing in agricultural research, which has a high return on investment, to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies. The threats identified, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza and African swine fever, could lead to severe economic losses and food security issues if not addressed. The report also highlights the declining public funding for agricultural research, which could hinder the ability to respond to these threats effectively. Strengthening biosecurity measures is crucial for protecting the agricultural sector and ensuring stable food supplies.
What's Next?
The report suggests that the U.S. government should increase funding for agricultural research and development and support public-private partnerships to enhance biosecurity measures. This includes investing in monitoring systems and developing new treatments for pest and disease outbreaks. The Farm Journal Foundation advocates for a coordinated response to these threats, involving both public and private sectors, to safeguard the agricultural industry. The report also calls for international collaboration to address global biosecurity challenges, which could have implications for U.S. national security and food security.
