§8301 Findings

Summary

Congress requires active steps to prevent, find, control, and get rid of animal diseases and pests. Doing this protects animal health, people’s health and welfare, the livestock industry’s economy, the environment, and trade between states and with other countries. Most animal diseases spread through animals and items covered by the law, and how animals and items are moved across state or country lines affects their health. The Secretary must keep researching threats to U.S. livestock. Because covered animals and items affect interstate and foreign trade, the Secretary’s rules and cooperation with other countries, states, or people are needed to avoid trade problems, manage commerce, and protect agriculture, the environment, the economy, and public welfare.