Safeguarding America’s Food Economy and Controlling Agricultural Threats to Livestock and Enterprises Act; SAFE CATTLE Act
Summary
The SAFE CATTLE Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to collaborate on preventing, controlling, and eradicating New World screwworm on federal lands. This involves interagency agreements, coordinated surveillance, and the development of response and eradication protocols. The Act also mandates regular reports to Congress on the progress of these efforts until the screwworm is quarantined south of the Darien Gap in Panama.
Expected Effects
The Act aims to protect wildlife, livestock, and the domestic food supply from the threat of New World screwworm. It will establish a framework for coordinated federal action and monitoring, potentially preventing outbreaks and mitigating economic damage to the agricultural sector. This will also lead to increased reporting and oversight of screwworm eradication efforts.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced protection of livestock and wildlife from New World screwworm.
- Improved coordination between federal agencies in addressing agricultural threats.
- Safeguarding the domestic food supply and economy.
- Development of science-based approaches for managing screwworm outbreaks.
- Increased transparency and accountability through regular reports to Congress.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for bureaucratic delays in establishing interagency agreements.
- Costs associated with surveillance, monitoring, and eradication activities.
- Possible impacts on land use and management practices on federal lands.
- The effectiveness of the Act is dependent on the continued funding and commitment of the involved agencies.
- Reporting requirements may create an administrative burden.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the General Welfare Clause (Preamble) by aiming to protect the food supply and economy. Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) provides a basis for addressing agricultural threats that could impact trade. The necessary and proper clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) allows Congress to enact laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).