USDA Allocates $51.9 Million to Combat Feral Swine in 13 States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $51.9 million to 29 partnership projects across 13 states. This funding is specifically aimed at controlling and eradicating feral swine populations, which cause significant damage to agricultural lands and natural resources. Feral swine are known to harm plant and wildlife habitats, degrade soil and water quality, and carry diseases that can affect livestock and human health, such as brucellosis. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) estimates the annual cost of feral swine damage in the U.S. to be at least $3.4 billion. The projects, located in states including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, and Texas, will implement coordinated management strategies, including expanded surveillance, trapping, and removal operations. Funding for these initiatives comes from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which supports Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation programs.
