"Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture: The Role of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN)"

1[House Hearing, 119 Congress]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                   SAFEGUARDING U.S. AGRICULTURE: THE5                   ROLE OF THE NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH6                       LABORATORY NETWORK (NAHLN)78=======================================================================910                                HEARING1112                               BEFORE THE1314             SUBCOMMITTEE ON LIVESTOCK, DAIRY, AND POULTRY1516                                 OF THE1718                        COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE19                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES2021                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2223                             FIRST SESSION2425                               __________2627                             JULY 15, 20252829                               __________3031                            Serial No. 119-93233                 [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3435          Printed for the use of the Committee on Agriculture36                         agriculture.house.gov3738                               ______3940                 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE414261-678 PDF                WASHINGTON : 20254344                        COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE4546                 GLENN THOMPSON, Pennsylvania, Chairman4748FRANK D. LUCAS, Oklahoma             ANGIE CRAIG, Minnesota, Ranking49AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia, Vice          Minority Member50Chairman                             DAVID SCOTT, Georgia51ERIC A. ``RICK'' CRAWFORD, Arkansas  JIM COSTA, California52SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee          JAMES P. McGOVERN, Massachusetts53DOUG LaMALFA, California             ALMA S. ADAMS, North Carolina54DAVID ROUZER, North Carolina         JAHANA HAYES, Connecticut55TRENT KELLY, Mississippi             SHONTEL M. BROWN, Ohio, Vice56DON BACON, Nebraska                  Ranking Minority Member57MIKE BOST, Illinois                  SHARICE DAVIDS, Kansas58DUSTY JOHNSON, South Dakota          ANDREA SALINAS, Oregon59JAMES R. BAIRD, Indiana              DONALD G. DAVIS, North Carolina60TRACEY MANN, Kansas                  JILL N. TOKUDA, Hawaii61RANDY FEENSTRA, Iowa                 NIKKI BUDZINSKI, Illinois62MARY E. MILLER, Illinois             ERIC SORENSEN, Illinois63BARRY MOORE, Alabama                 GABE VASQUEZ, New Mexico64KAT CAMMACK, Florida                 JONATHAN L. JACKSON, Illinois65BRAD FINSTAD, Minnesota              SHRI THANEDAR, Michigan66JOHN W. ROSE, Tennessee              ADAM GRAY, California67RONNY JACKSON, Texas                 KRISTEN McDONALD RIVET, Michigan68MONICA De La CRUZ, Texas             SHOMARI FIGURES, Alabama69ZACHARY NUNN, Iowa                   EUGENE SIMON VINDMAN, Virginia70DERRICK VAN ORDEN, Wisconsin         JOSH RILEY, New York71DAN NEWHOUSE, Washington             JOHN W. MANNION, New York72TONY WIED, Wisconsin                 APRIL McCLAIN DELANEY, Maryland73ROBERT P. BRESNAHAN, Jr.,            CHELLIE PINGREE, Maine74Pennsylvania                         SALUD O. CARBAJAL, California75MARK B. MESSMER, Indiana76MARK HARRIS, North Carolina77DAVID J. TAYLOR, Ohio7879                                 ______8081                     Parish Braden, Staff Director8283                 Brian Sowyrda, Minority Staff Director8485                                 ______8687             Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry8889                     TRACEY MANN, Kansas, Chairman9091DERRICK VAN ORDEN, Wisconsin, Vice   JIM COSTA, California, Ranking92Chair                                Minority Member93SCOTT DesJARLAIS, Tennessee          JAHANA HAYES, Connecticut94TRENT KELLY, Mississippi             DONALD G. DAVIS, North Carolina95DON BACON, Nebraska                  ADAM GRAY, California, Vice96JAMES R. BAIRD, Indiana              Ranking Minority Member97RANDY FEENSTRA, Iowa                 JOSH RILEY, New York98MARY E. MILLER, Illinois             ------99BARRY MOORE, Alabama                 ------100BRAD FINSTAD, Minnesota              ------101RONNY JACKSON, Texas                 ------102TONY WIED, Wisconsin                 ------103MARK B. MESSMER, Indiana             ------104MARK HARRIS, North Carolina          ------105                                     ------106107                                  (ii)108109                             C O N T E N T S110111                              ----------112                                                                   Page113Costa, Hon. Jim, a Representative in Congress from California,114  opening statement..............................................     3115    Prepared statement...........................................     5116Mann, Hon. Tracey, a Representative in Congress from Kansas,117  opening statement..............................................     1118    Prepared statement...........................................     2119Thompson, Hon. Glenn, a Representative in Congress from120  Pennsylvania, prepared statement...............................     7121122                               Witnesses123124Retallick, D.V.M., Ph.D., Jamie N., Director, Kansas Veterinary125  Diagnostic Laboratory; Professor/Anatomic Veterinary126  Pathologist, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology,127  Kansas State University; Diplomate, American College of128  Veterinary Pathologists, Manhattan, KS.........................     8129    Prepared statement...........................................    10130Hensley, MS, D.V.M., Terry, Assistant Agency Director, Veterinary131  Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Texas A&M University; Extension132  Veterinarian; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, College133  Station, TX....................................................    16134    Prepared statement...........................................    17135Main, D.V.M., Ph.D., Rodger G., Professor and Director,136  Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and137  Diagnostic Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State138  University, Ames, IA...........................................    22139    Prepared statement...........................................    23140    Submitted questions..........................................    45141Jones, D.V.M., Annette B., State Veterinarian and Director,142  Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division, California143  Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, CA.............    26144    Prepared statement...........................................    27145146                   SAFEGUARDING U.S. AGRICULTURE: THE147                   ROLE OF THE NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH148                       LABORATORY NETWORK (NAHLN)149150                              ----------151152                         TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025153154                  House of Representatives,155             Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry,156                                  Committee on Agriculture,157                                                   Washington, D.C.158    The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:01 a.m., in159Room 1300, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. Tracey Mann160[Chairman of the Subcommittee] presiding.161    Members present: Representatives Mann, Van Orden, Baird,162Feenstra, Finstad, Wied, Messmer, Harris, Costa, Hayes, Gray,163and Riley.164    Staff present: Justina Graff, Sofia Jones, Patricia165Straughn, John Konya, Suzie Cavalier, Daniel Feingold, Michael166Stein, and Jackson Blodgett.167168  OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. TRACEY MANN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN169                      CONGRESS FROM KANSAS170171    The Chairman. Good morning, everybody. The hearing will172come to order.173    Welcome, and thank you for joining today's hearing174entitled, Safeguarding U.S. Agriculture: The Role of the175National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). After brief176opening remarks, Members will receive testimony from our177witnesses today, and then the hearing will be open to178questions.179    In consultation with the Ranking Member and pursuant to180Rule XI(e), I want to make Members of the Subcommittee aware181that other Members of the full Committee may be joining us182today.183    I am excited to chair this hearing of the House Agriculture184Committee's Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry,185where we will focus on the important work of the National186Animal Health Laboratory Network, or NAHLN.187    As a fifth-generation Kansas farm kid, I grew up riding188pens and doctoring sick cattle at my family's preconditioning189feedlot, and I intimately understand and appreciate the vital190role animal health plays in all of livestock and poultry191operations.192    The National Animal Health Laboratory Network is a critical193piece of our ability to respond to and mitigate foreign animal194diseases. Originally comprised of 12 laboratories when it was195created in 2002, the NAHLN network has grown to include over 60196state and university laboratories, including the Kansas State197University Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory in Manhattan,198Kansas, my district and alma mater.199    These labs are strategically placed across the United200States to support animal agriculture by developing and201increasing the capabilities and capacities to support early202detection, rapid response, and appropriate recovery from high-203consequence animal diseases. Put simply, they are the first204line of our defense.205    These labs do not operate in a vacuum. The NAHLN network is206successful because of partnerships between Federal, state, and207university-associated animal health laboratories and experts.208This partnership is critical to response efforts when foreign209animal diseases are detected such as highly-pathogenic avian210influenza, New World screwworm, African swine fever, and211unfortunately, so many more.212    Today, you will hear from a panel of experts who all work213at NAHLN's laboratories. These experts will be able to share214pertinent information about the critical work they do, whether215it be tracking the New World screwworm outbreak in Mexico,216identifying the move of high-path into dairy cattle in Texas,217working with the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in218Kansas, or crucial swine testing in Iowa.219    This hearing could not come at a better time to highlight220the work of the NAHLN laboratories and talk about the need for221additional resources. As of 2 weeks ago, funding for the NAHLN,222as well as funding for the National Animal Disease Preparedness223and Response Program and National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary224Countermeasures Bank, was substantially increased in the One225Big Beautiful Bill (Pub. L. 119-21).226    The One Big Beautiful Bill included $233 million per year227for the three-legged stool, with $10 million per year directed228towards the NAHLN laboratories, which is on top of existing229discretionary Federal spending. This funding will increase230diagnostic capabilities, improve research, assist in disease231surveillance, and strengthen our overall capacity as a nation232to prevent, detect, and mitigate foreign animal diseases. I am233proud of the work this Committee did to shore up our animal234health resources and protect the herds and flocks that bring so235much value to our producers and national security.236    I look forward to hearing from our witnesses about the work237they do day in and day out in their roles with the National238Animal Health Laboratory Network. I am excited to hear about239how the increased funding will help their operation of these240laboratories, which foreign animal diseases they see as the241most consequential, and how we as Congress can be good partners242to them.243    Again, thank you all for being here today.244    [The prepared statement of Mr. Mann follows:]245246 Prepared Statement of Hon. Tracey Mann, a Representative in Congress247                              from Kansas248    Good morning and thank you all for joining us at today's hearing. I249am excited to chair this hearing of the House Agriculture Committee's250Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, where we will focus on251the important work of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, or252NAHLN. As a fifth-generation Kansas farm kid I grew up riding pens and253doctoring cattle at my family's preconditioning feedlot and I254intimately understand the vital role that animal health plays in all255livestock and poultry operations.256    The National Animal Health Laboratory Network is a critical piece257of our ability to respond to and mitigate foreign animal diseases.258Originally comprised of 12 laboratories when created in 2002, the NAHLN259network has grown to include over 60 state and university laboratories,260including the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in261Manhattan, Kansas.262    These labs are strategically placed across the United States to263support animal agriculture by developing and increasing the264capabilities and capacities to support early detection, rapid response,265and appropriate recovery from high-consequence animal diseases. Put266simply, they are our first line of defense.267    These labs do not operate in a vacuum. The NAHLN network is268successful because of partnerships between Federal, state, and269university-associated animal health laboratories and experts. This270partnership is critical to response efforts when foreign animal271diseases are detected, such as Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza, New272World Screwworm, African Swine Fever, and so many more.273    Today, you will hear from a panel of experts who work at NAHLN274laboratories. These experts will be able to share pertinent information275about the critical work they do--whether it be tracking the New World276Screwworm outbreak in Mexico, identifying the move of hi-path into277dairy cattle in Texas, working with the National Bio and Agro-Defense278Facility in Kansas, or crucial swine testing in Iowa.279    This hearing could not come at a better time to highlight the work280of the NAHLN laboratories and talk about the need for additional281resources. As of 2 weeks ago, funding for NAHLN--as well as funding for282the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program and283National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank--was284substantially increased in the One Big Beautiful Bill.285    The One Big Beautiful Bill included $233 million per year for the286three-legged stool, with $10 million per year directed towards the287NAHLN laboratories, which is on top of existing discretionary funding.288This funding will increase diagnostic capabilities, improve research,289assist in disease surveillance, and strengthen our overall capacity as290a nation to prevent, detect, and mitigate foreign animal diseases. I am291proud of the work this Committee did to shore up our animal health292resources and protect the herds and flocks that bring so much value to293our producers and national security.294    I look forward to hearing from our witnesses about the work they295do, day in and day out, in their roles with the National Animal Health296Laboratory Network. I am excited to hear about how the increased297funding will help their operation of these laboratories, which foreign298animal diseases they see as the most consequential, and how we as299Congress can be good partners to them. Again, thank you all for being300here.301302    The Chairman. With that, I would now like to welcome the303distinguished Ranking Member, my friend and the gentleman from304California, Mr. Costa, for any opening remarks he would like to305give.306307   OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JIM COSTA, A REPRESENTATIVE IN308                    CONGRESS FROM CALIFORNIA309310    Mr. Costa. Thank you very much, Chairman Mann. And for311Members of the Subcommittee, it is indeed a very important312Subcommittee hearing that we are holding here this morning313because high-path avian flu has infected many parts of our314country on a regional basis, and we have had different efforts315with varying degrees of success to deal with this. But316certainly, we are not unaccustomed to having infectious317diseases impacting our livestock and poultry industries across318the country, and how we handle those and how we respond is319critical. And therefore, this hearing is totally appropriate320and important.321    I want to thank the Chairman, not only for holding this322hearing for that reason, but thank our witnesses. The witnesses323that we have here have over 20 years of experience and growing324to include over 60 labs that make up our detection system for325animal disease control. And as I always like to say, food is a326national security issue. It is, and we should address it in327that fashion.328    The laboratory network plays key roles in ensuring we have329a safe and secure food supply chain for all Americans at their330dinner table every evening. This laboratory network is part of331that safety response. It is a foundation that allows us to332respond rapidly to animal disease outbreaks simultaneously333while keeping our food supply chain safe, and that is a334challenge.335    As high-path has gone over recently in different parts of336our country, in California, where we have 20 percent of337America's milk production, we have had over 70 percent338infection in our dairy herds, which is critical mass. And of339course, we have a significant poultry industry as well. In340trying to handle the two over the last 18 months, we have had341our hands full. But we have an extra effort that is done by our342efforts with our State Veterinarian, Dr. Jones, who I will343introduce in a moment.344    The only way, though, that we can properly trace and avoid345further spread or spillover infection is if we are able to346respond quickly, and that is why I think this hearing is so347important, and accurately to identify and then use the348information to allocate appropriate resources to address the349problem. And NAHLN is a great example which highlights the350importance of how Federal and state partnerships work together.351And I think we have had a good example in California of that352partnership working.353    We have our main Level 1 lab at the University of354California, Davis, which has played a critical role in355coordinating with the laboratory network by providing resources356throughout California and the nation in combating high-path357avian flu. And this is just one example that demonstrates the358importance of the laboratory network and the role it plays in359greater effort of preventing animal disease that are being360spread throughout the United States. And these labs talk to361each other on a national basis, which is essential. When we362have multiple state outbreaks of animal disease, such as the363high-path avian influenza, it is absolutely essential that we364have centralized operations coordinated across our states, and365we are going to hear about that this morning.366    The role that the NAHLN central office plays in combating367disease response came into spotlight earlier this year in368February. I was disappointed to hear with the DOGE efforts that369the Administration fired \1/4\ of the employees of the central370coordinating office. This has occurred in the middle of a371prolonged high-path avian influenza outbreak. I can't think of372a worse time to decide to cut these positions when coordinating373disease response. Think about it. We have seen uninformed,374short-sighted decisions such as this one made, and it is not375helpful. And I think we have already seen the impacts of those376decisions.377    I am glad to hear the Chairman talk about the One Big--I378don't know that we agree that it was beautiful--but that there379is additional funding that may allow us to fill the gaps from380the cuts that were made in February because I think that is381important, and I think we want to get the opinion of our382experts, our witnesses, to opine on that.383    Let me close by saying that we are supportive of these384programs to combat animal disease. It is critical that we work385together to continue to support systems such as the laboratory386network--I really believe that is critical--along with387corresponding research that allows us to create better388diagnostic tools and preventive measures, which is utilizing389the best available science possible.390    [The prepared statement of Mr. Costa follows:]391392Prepared Statement of Hon. Jim Costa, a Representative in Congress from393                               California394    Good morning.395    I'd like to start by thanking the Chairman for holding this396important hearing on the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and397thanking our witnesses for their testimony today. Since its inception398over 20 years ago, NAHLN has grown to include over 60 labs that make up399our detection system for animal disease. As I always say, food security400is national security, and the laboratory network plays a key role in401ensuring we have a safe and secure food supply chain.402    The laboratory network is part of the foundation that allows us to403respond rapidly to animal disease outbreaks while simultaneously404keeping our food supply chain safe.405    The only way that we can properly trace and avoid further spread or406spillover infection is if we are able to quickly and accurately407identify it and then use that information to allocate the appropriate408resources to address the problem. NAHLN is a great example which409highlights the importance of how Federal and state governments can and410must work together. In California, we have our main Level One Lab at411the University of California, Davis, which has played a critical role412in coordinating with the laboratory network by providing resources413throughout California and the nation in combating Hi-Path Avian Flu.414This is just one example that demonstrates the importance of the415laboratory network and the role it plays in the greater effort to416prevent animal disease from spreading in the United States.417    When we have multi-state outbreaks of animal disease, such as Hi-418Path Avian Influenza, it is essential that we have centralized419operations to coordinate across states. The role that the NAHLN central420office plays in combating disease response came into the spotlight421earlier this year in February when POLITICO reported that the Trump422Administration fired \1/4\ of the employees in the central coordinating423office. This occurred in the middle of the prolonged Hi-Path Avian424Influenza outbreak, and I cannot imagine a worse time to decide to cut425positions that coordinate disease response. Think about it. We've seen426uninformed and short-sighted decisions such as this one made across the427government by this Administration. We have already started to see how428these decisions impact our ability to respond to disease, disaster, and429other events that put communities in jeopardy.430    I have always been supportive of programs that combat animal431disease, and it is critical that we continue to support systems such as432the Laboratory Network, along with corresponding research that allows433us to create better diagnostic tools and preventative measures with the434best available science. I look forward to hearing from our expert435witnesses about improvements that could be made or more effective ways436that we can prevent and detect animal disease.Thank you, and I yield437back.438439    Mr. Costa. A lot of us have ag backgrounds, and I look440forward to hearing from our expert witnesses. But as a part of441Costa Brothers Dairy, I had a lot of experience working with442our veterinarian Doc Johnson, a big animal vet, and he kept our443herds in good shape over the years. Sometimes when my dog had a444little problem and I would bring it to him, and he says, ``I445don't do small animals,'' and then he would say, ``Ah, bring it446over here, I will look at it.''447    But our vets are so valuable. And so by way of mentioning448that, let me introduce an individual that is going to testify.449I have another hearing I have to go to, so I want to introduce450our witness who I noted a moment ago. Dr. Annette Jones is a451veterinarian herself. She is the State Veterinarian and452Director of Animal Health and Food Safety Services for the453State of California, the number one agricultural state in the454nation. She has held the directorship since 2004. In that455capacity, she oversees an annual budget of $45.5 million, I456believe. Two hundred and twenty-two employees work with her,457engaged in programs from animal health, milk and dairy food458safety, meat and poultry inspection, livestock identification.459She also works closely with the California Animal Health and460Food Safety Laboratory System.461    In addition to her role as director, she was appointed a462California State Veterinarian in 2010. She is a graduate of UC463Davis, very proud of that, and with a degree in economics, and464she received her D.V.M. from UC Davis School of Veterinary465Medicine. She is a total, complete package, and well-respected466among the animal science industry in California and around the467country. And Dr. Jones, we are glad you could make it here to468talk about your vast experience.469    And thank you, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me to provide470that introduction of Dr. Jones to the Subcommittee. Thank you.471    The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Ranking Member, for your472opening comments and for doing the introduction of one of our473four panelists. We will now introduce our other three474panelists. And I want everyone to understand that I have been475talking to them ahead of time. Every one of them had flight476issues coming in. I don't think a single person, one of our477witnesses, got in before midnight. Some people made it and478their luggage did not.479    But I appreciate you all being here this morning and, more480than that, your commitment to animals and keeping our food481supply safe.482    Mr. Costa. Thanks for pointing that out, Mr. Chairman. And483some of us spent 2 hours on the tarmac yesterday afternoon484waiting to get off the plane, so I am sympathetic to all of485you. Thank you.486    The Chairman. Yes, we appreciate you being here today.487    I will introduce the next witness, which will be Dr. Jamie488Retallick, the Director of Kansas Veterinary Diagnostics489Laboratory at Kansas State University. Dr. Retallick's primary490responsibility is Director of Kansas' only veterinary491diagnostic laboratory. Before becoming Director, she served as492a diagnostic pathologist for KVDL, which involves biopsy and493necropsy services from referring veterinarians and the KSVU, or494the K-State Veterinary Center. She also oversees daily495operations and provides guidance in the development of new496tests, teaches a course in veterinary biology, and provides497resources with pathology support for collaborative studies. Dr.498Retallick is a graduate of both Kansas State University and the499University of Nebraska.500    From one Kansan to another, thank you for being here this501morning.502    After we hear from Dr. Retallick, we will hear from Dr.503Terry Hensley, who is the Assistant Agency Director for504diagnostic services at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical505Diagnostic Laboratory, a state agency in the Texas A&M506University system. Dr. Hensley oversees veterinary services,507interagency collaborations, case coordination, and508consultations with TVMDL's clients. He also serves as a liaison509between the TVMDL and multiple regional, state, and Federal510partner organizations to oversee the agency's regulatory511testing components. Dr. Hensley is a graduate of Texas A&M512University, including his D.V.M., and completed his post-513doctorate at the University of Georgia.514    And next, to introduce our final witness, I am going to515turn it over to the gentleman from Iowa, Representative516Feenstra, to introduce the next witness.517    Mr. Feenstra. Thank you, Chairman Mann.518    It is an honor to introduce Dr. Rodger Main, a nationally519recognized leader in animal health diagnostics and a fellow520proud Iowan. Dr. Main serves as a Professor and Director of the521Iowa State University Veterinarian Diagnostic Laboratory, which522serves as one of the cornerstones of the National Animal Health523Laboratory Network.524    Under Dr. Main's leadership, ISU's lab processes over525125,000 diagnostic cases and runs more than 1.7 million tests526annually, directly supporting the farmers, veterinarians, and527industries that power Iowa and the country's agricultural528community. He brings decades of experience in swine medicine529and clinical research, and holds both a D.V.M. from Iowa State530and a Ph.D. from Kansas State. Iowa State continues to lead the531nation in agricultural science, and Dr. Main's work is vital to532safeguarding animal health, food security, national security,533and the future of American agriculture.534    Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Main. We look forward535to hearing your testimony.536    The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Feenstra, and thank you to all537of our witnesses again for joining us today.538    [The prepared statement of Mr. Thompson follows:]539540Prepared Statement of Hon. Glenn Thompson, a Representative in Congress541                           from Pennsylvania542    Good morning and thank you to Chairman Mann and Ranking Member543Costa for convening this hearing of the Subcommittee on Livestock,544Dairy, and Poultry to talk about the importance of the National Animal545Health Laboratory Network.546    And more importantly, thank you to our witnesses who have taken547time out of your busy schedules to appear before us today--I look548forward to hearing from each of you.549    In recent months, our producers have been dealing with an550unprecedented hi-path outbreak in both poultry and dairy cattle.551    They are also closely tracking the New World Screwworm outbreak in552Mexico, Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the European Union, and African Swine553Fever in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.554    The threats of foreign animal diseases are very real to our555producers. They cost billions of dollars, threaten our national food556supply, and have serious trade implications.557    That is why our animal health protection tools, like the National558Animal Health Laboratory Network, are so important to preventing,559responding to, and mitigating animal disease outbreaks.560    The NAHLN is a critical system made up of over 60 state and561university laboratories.562    These labs serve as our first line of defense to protect producers563through animal disease surveillance, diagnostic testing, and564appropriate recovery efforts.565    They also serve as a critical educational partner for industry566groups and producers, working to inform both veterinarians and567livestock and poultry growers about the most high-consequence foreign568animal diseases.569    Established in 2002, these labs have answered the call every time570we needed them.571    Whether it be BSE, new world screwworm, scrapie, chronic wasting572disease, African swine fever, highly-pathogenic avian influenza, foot-573and-mouth disease, or a whole host of other animal diseases, their role574cannot be understated.575    I am thrilled that the One Big Beautiful Bill, which has now been576signed into law by the President, includes funding for NAHLN, as well577as the other components of our three-legged stool of animal health.578    The NAHLN system will receive an increased investment of $10579million each year, on top of their existing discretionary allotments.580    And while we weren't able to increase the discretionary funding581allotments due to the rules of reconciliation, it is my hope that these582funds will be crucial to ensuring the capacity and effectiveness of the583NAHLN system for decades to come.584    To each of our witnesses--thank you again for being here. I look585forward to hearing about your experiences and learning from your586expertise. With that, I yield back.587588    The Chairman. We will now proceed to your testimony. You589will each have 5 minutes. The timer in front of you will count590down to zero, at which point your time has expired.591    Dr. Retallick, please begin when you are ready.592593        STATEMENT OF JAMIE N. RETALLICK, D.V.M., Ph.D.,594            DIRECTOR, KANSAS VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC595           LABORATORY; PROFESSOR/ANATOMIC VETERINARY596 PATHOLOGIST, DEPARTMENT OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICINE/PATHOBIOLOGY,597    KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY; DIPLOMATE, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF598                   VETERINARY PATHOLOGISTS,599                         MANHATTAN, KS600601    Dr. Retallick. Good morning, Chairman Mann, Ranking Member602Costa, and Members of the Subcommittee. It is an honor to be in603front of you today to talk about the importance of the National604Animal Health Laboratory Network, or NAHLN, and its unique605relationships among state and Federal laboratories, State606Veterinarians, and state departments of agriculture. We will607discuss some of the key aspects that make NAHLN a vital Federal608network.609    Thank you for this invitation. I have the privilege to be610the Director of the Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and611a Professor at Kansas State University. The Kansas Veterinary612Diagnostic Laboratory, or KVDL, is the primary and only613accredited laboratory in the State of Kansas, located at Kansas614State University, a land-grant university.615    The location at a land-grant university allows for616specialized academic faculty to train future generations and617work with clients, along with Federal partners, to serve a618diverse range of clients and a broad range of diseases. KVDL619has approximately 120 staff. About 25 of those are faculty with620various specialties in training. We have over 213 species in621our database, perform 600 different tests, and approximately622600,000 tests annually. Although a diverse species caseload,623the most common is cattle.624    KVDL is a critical pillar to support the $12.9 billion625Kansas livestock industry. An important part of protection of626Kansas livestock industry, and thus the United States, is the627relationships and coordination provided by the NAHLN. NAHLN is628a vital resource and call tree or communication system to629protect United States animal agriculture by providing an early630warning system for economically important outbreaks in foreign631animal diseases, along with new threats such as the New World632screwworm, which NAHLN labs are currently watching for.633    As stated, the NAHLN network includes 64 laboratories634across the United States, which includes KVDL, a Level 1635laboratory in the network. In addition, there are several636Federal or parent laboratories that are part of this network,637which include the National Veterinary Service Laboratory in638Ames, Iowa, the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory,639FADDL, currently split between Plum Island, New York, and the640National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas.641There is also currently a surveillance laboratory in Puerto642Rico for African swine fever.643    The NAHLN has built a strong, harmonious relationship644between Federal, state, and university veterinary diagnostic645laboratories with over 20 years of experience in protecting646animal agriculture in the United States through surveillance647and disease testing. In addition to providing communication,648coordination, and funding, NAHLN also provides standardized649testing procedures and laboratory accuracy testing, known as650proficiency testing. Standardized protocols and proficiency651testing provide consistent, trustworthy, and high-capacity652testing among all 64 NAHLN laboratories in critical disease653events.654    FADDL, from the NBAF facility, has produced and distributed655800 proficiency test panels for several high-impact diseases,656including African swine fever, classical swine fever, foot-and-657mouth disease, Seneca Valley virus, to NAHLN labs nationwide,658including my lab, KVDL.659    NAHLN coordination of the state laboratories, funding to660support the laboratories, weekly communication calls, standard661protocols, and proficiency testing have resulted in a network662with redundancy to support each other. KVDL is currently663performing overflow testing for California and Colorado. This664coordination and overflow testing when a state laboratory is665overwhelmed is directed by the NAHLN.666    The Federal funding appropriated to NAHLN is transferred to667state laboratories in the network and for those laboratories is668often used to support equipment purchases, service contracts,669software and informational technology upgrades, travel for670training, outbreak exercises which are important in preparation671for us, and salary support for our staff. The funding makes a672huge impact on the VDL operations and is very appreciated to673help support our laboratory.674    In summary, NAHLN, with over 20 years of experience,675standardized and controlled testing, and coordination of 64676laboratories, provides high testing capacity and numbers,677redundancy in testing to control outbreaks and surveil for678foreign animal disease on U.S. soil. In my opinion, NAHLN is679the best example of a Federal organization harmoniously680coordinating disease response among state laboratories and681state departments of agriculture. When funds are appropriated682to NAHLN, Federal dollars are supporting state laboratories,683protecting the U.S. economy and food supply, preventing684zoonosis--those diseases transferred from animals to humans--685maintaining exports and trade channels, and addressing other686critical interests.687    Thank you for allowing me to discuss the importance of688NAHLN today.689    [The prepared statement of Dr. Retallick follows:]690691  Prepared Statement of Jamie N. Retallick, D.V.M., Ph.D., Director,692Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; Professor/Anatomic Veterinary693  Pathologist, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas694      State University; Diplomate, American College of Veterinary695                      Pathologists, Manhattan, KS696NAHLN-Kansas Point of View on Federal and State Partnership in697        Protecting Animal Agriculture698    Key Points:699700   The National Animal Health Laboratory Network, [NAHLN], is a701        vital resource and call tree (communication system) to protect702        United States Animal Agriculture by providing an early warning703        system for economically important outbreaks and foreign animal704        diseases (FADs).705706     FADs on United States soil can severely impact animal707            agriculture, which can lead to a domino effect of negative708            impacts on the U.S. economy, exports, food safety, the food709            supply (including restaurants) and potentially lead to new710            diseases transferred from animals to humans (zoonosis).711712       Example: Bird Flu (HPAI) increasing egg prices creating713            difficulty for res-714              taurants and bakeries (record high in April 2025) and has715            infected dairy716              employees, raising zoonotic concerns (disease transferred717            from animals to718              humans).719720   The NAHLN has built a strong and harmonious relationship721        between Federal, state, and university veterinary diagnostic722        laboratories with over 20 years of experience in protecting723        animal agriculture in the United States by controlling724        outbreaks and FADs.725726   NAHLN network includes 64 state laboratories, such as the727        Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KVDL) @ Kansas State,728        which I represent. KVDL is a Level 1 laboratory in the NAHLN729        network.730731   The NAHLN Federal and State Partnership is one of the best732        operational partnerships between states and the Federal733        entities that exists, therefore funding thus needs to be734        maintained, or preferably increased.735736     Federal funding (appropriations to NAHLN) from the737            Federal Government is critically important for state738            laboratories testing for Foreign Animal Diseases, but is739            only a small fraction of a state laboratory budget. For740            example, the Kansas Lab budget is approximately $16 million741            annual and we receive $250,000 annually from NAHLN for742            infrastructure support, to support partial salaries,743            equipment service contracts and purchase new equipment.744745     In FY24, NAHLN was allocated $24.9 million, through746            allocations from APHIS, NIFA, and the Farm Bill); $45747            million total annual funding needs authorized (NAHLN is748            Essential to the Health of Food Animal Agriculture, Food749            Security, Bioterrorism Surveillance and the U.S.750            Economy).\1\751---------------------------------------------------------------------------752    \1\ NAHLN is Essential to the Health of Food Animal Agriculture,753Food Security, Bioterrorism Surveillance, and the U.S. Economy: $45754million total annual funding is needed. AAVLD/USAHA position statement.755756---------------------------------------------------------------------------757   The NAHLN Network protects against Animal Agroterrorism.758759     Example: In June 2025, two Chinese Nationals were760            charged with smuggling a fungus called ``Fusarium761            graminearum'' into the U.S., which scientific literature762            classifies as a potential agroterrorism weapon. The fungus763            causes a disease in wheat, barley, maize and rice that can764            wipe out crops and lead to vomiting and liver damage if it765            gets into food. (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/766            c4gkdppymk4o)767768    The NAHLN network is actively testing to control the Highly-769Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI; bird flu) outbreak and conducting770surveillance testing and foreign animal disease (FAD) investigations to771monitor potential threats on U.S. soil. Under NAHLN direction, two772diseases, state laboratories are currently monitoring are New World773Screwworm and African Swine Fever. However, Foot-and-Mouth Disease774(FMD) is also another important FAD. In fact if Foot-and-Mouth Disease775and African Swine Fever, were to concurrently invade U.S. soil, they776could cost the U.S. economy an estimated $231 Billion over 10 years, or777$23.1 billion annually.\2\778---------------------------------------------------------------------------779    \2\ Carriquiry, M., A. Elobeid, D. Hayes. National Impacts of780Domestic Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever in781the United States. Center of Agricultural and Rural Development, Iowa782State University, 2023.783784---------------------------------------------------------------------------785    NAHLN Network Physical Laboratory Locations:786787    State Laboratories: 64 state laboratories in most states across the788United States (Map Below) Federal-National Veterinary Service789Laboratories: NVSL-Ames, IA; PIADC-Plum Island; NBAF-Manhattan, KS;790Dorado, Puerto Rico.791Figure 1: The 2025 NAHLN Network, including State Laboratories and792        National Veterinary Service Laboratories793NAHLN Laboratory Designations--April 2025794795[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]796797Figure 2: Working Relationship in Kansas among NAHLN, KVDL and the798        State Animal Health Official (SAHO; State Veterinarian) Under799        Kansas Department of Agriculture800Relationship Between NAHLN, SAHO and KVDL801802[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]803804          Similar in most states.805NAHLN Overview806    The NAHLN is a Federal organization comprised of a network of807Federal, state and university veterinary diagnostic laboratories with808over 20 years of operation. During that time, the network has grown to809include 64 laboratories across the United States (Figure 1) that work810as a team to protect animal agriculture, and thus the food supply and811U.S. economy. The Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KVDL), which812I represent in support of NAHLN, is Kansas's Level 1 laboratory. Like813other states and their laboratories, KVDL maintains a relationship with814the state Department of Agriculture, particularly the State Animal815Health Officials (SAHO; State Veterinarians), as well as with NAHLN816(Figure 2). The NAHLN provides many training opportunities to enhance817the laboratories, ranging from technical skills in the laboratory to IT818advancements. In addition, weekly calls and annual meetings with NAHLN819and the 64 state laboratories foster necessary communication and strong820relationships across the network. As part of the network there are two821Federal parent laboratories, the National Veterinary Service Laboratory822(NVSL) in Ames, Iowa and the Foreign Animal Diagnostic Disease823Laboratory (FADDL) located at Plum Island, New York and the National824Biodefense Agriculture Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS. These parent825Federal labs, NVSL and FADDL, perform confirmatory testing for the826state/university laboratories in FAD/outbreaks. NAHLN, in conjunction827with these parent labs provide standardized testing protocols, assess828state laboratory's accuracy and reliability through proficiency829testing, and compile important disease tracking data from the network.830The network also surveils for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) through831state laboratory caseload, which is considered a serious global health832threat. There is overlap and redundancy between the Federal833laboratories, the NAHLN staff and the state/university laboratories,834which ensures robust testing in times of outbreaks.835KVDL Overview836    KVDL is located in Manhattan, KS at Kansas State University and has837approximately 13 different sections, 100 technicians, 23 faculty,838performs over 600 different tests, and has 213 species in our testing839database. The two most common species served are cattle and dogs. The840lab supports a wide range of clients, including livestock producers,841pet owners, practicing veterinarians, government and industry. The842diversity in species and caseload along with acceptance of cases from843veterinarians and owners make it one of the early locations that may844detect an FAD or new outbreak. KVDL is an accredited lab with a robust845quality system similar to human labs through CLIA, which allowed us to846be able to support human testing during the COVID pandemic. KVDL has an847approximately $16 million budget with greater than $10 million848supporting salary and benefits. Revenue generated is a close margin849with operational costs (expenses). Insults to agriculture affecting the850economy can affect our ability to pay staff. KVDL is a critical pillar851to support the $12.9 billion Kansas livestock industry, which is a852significant part of the U.S. economy.853    In addition, KVDL being located at a land grant university, faculty854contribute to educating and training of future veterinary and855agriculture students and trainees in the College of Veterinary Medicine856and the College of Agriculture at Kansas State.857KVDL and NAHLN Support858    KVDL joined the NAHLN network in 2004, became a Level 2 member in8592016, and advanced to a Level 1 member in 2019. As the only state860laboratory in KS, KVDL operates at Kansas State University, a land-861grant university. This type of arrangement is an excellent example of862Federal Government, state government and university/academia working to863protect U.S. agriculture and the economy. KVDL would not be able to864perform disease outbreak and FAD testing, plus some routine service865testing, without the support received by NAHLN. NAHLN support includes866monetary (Federal funding through annual infrastructure and Farm Bill867funding), personnel training, provision of test kits, directions and868controls, mock testing to ensure laboratory accuracy, test869standardization, educational resources, practice outbreak exercises,870networking, and continuous improvement opportunities. Since 2019, KVDL871has received approximately $250,000 annually in Federal funding, which872has supported equipment purchases (testing machines, laboratory873monitoring systems, computers, servers), software and database needs874(quality assurance software and laboratory information database),875equipment service contracts, travel for training, outbreak exercises,876and salary support.877    As a Level 1 member of NAHLN, KVDL plays a critical role in the878nation's diagnostic testing efforts for high-consequence animal879disease. Including pathogens like highly pathogenic avian influenza880(HPAI), African swine fever (ASF), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and881several others within NAHLN's scope. Since 2005, KVDL has completed882approximately 118,452 tests to support NAHLN's mission of protecting883U.S. animal agriculture. Over the last 10 years, KVDL's annual testing884has ranged from 2,624 to 11,878 in tests per year, averaging 219 to 990885tests/month. In 2025, KVDL has performed 215 FAD investigations on886disease cases that show similar signs/symptoms to foreign animal887diseases. These figures represent the testing contributions of ONE lab888of the 64 laboratories, which demonstrates the significant impact that889the state laboratory network has under the coordination of NAHLN.890    KVDL works closely with the Kansas Department of Agriculture,891Division of Animal Health (KDAH) and USDA partners, specifically NAHLN,892to perform both routine surveillance testing and Foreign Animal Disease893Investigation (FADI) testing. FADI testing, in particular, is a894coordinated multi-agency effort led by USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services,895and involves close partnership among APHIS-NAHLN, KDAH, KVDL, and the896National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL & FADDL) to ensure a897timely and effective response to suspected foreign animal disease898threats or disease outbreaks (Figure 2 above).899How KVDL works with NAHLN and the State Veterinarians (Figure 3 Below)900    When a potential foreign animal disease (FAD) is suspected,901communication between KVDL, KDAH and USDA-APHIS-NAHLN follows a clearly902defined process to ensure timely investigation and response, and can903flow in both directions (Figure 2 above). When a potential FAD904originates in the field, KDAH or USDA-APHIS will initiate contact to905KVDL to alert the laboratory of incoming samples. These notifications906typically follow field investigations conducted by a Foreign Animal907Disease Diagnostician (FADD), allowing KVDL to prepare for appropriate908handling, testing, and biosafety procedures up on receipt of the909samples. However, FAD investigation cases can also originate within910KVDL, either from samples submitted through a referring veterinarian,911owner, or from animals presented to the necropsy service (animal912autopsy). If KVDL pathologists or diagnosticians observe clinical913signs/symptoms or postmortem findings (animal autopsy) that raise914concern for a foreign animal disease, the laboratory initiates915communication with state and Federal partners--the SAHO and NAHLN. In916these situations, KVDL provides detailed case information so that our917regulatory partners can determine whether the case meets criteria for918an official FAD Investigation. Once samples are received in the919laboratory, KVDL conducts initial rule-out testing according to NAHLN-920approved assays and protocols. Results are communicated promptly and921securely to both USDA-APHIS, KDAH and USDA-NAHLN coordinators.922Throughout the process, interagency communication is tightly923coordinated to ensure accurate tracking, confidentiality, and timely924decision-making. This collaborative framework is essential for the925early detection and control of foreign animal diseases, and it plays a926vital role in protecting animal health, public health, and the927agricultural economy.928Figure 3: Flow chart of investigation of a foreign animal disease case929        involving practicing veterinarian, USDA veterinarian, State930        Animal Health Official (State Veterinarian), KVDL, NAHLN and931        national laboratories for confirmatory testing932FAD Investigation Flowchart933934[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]935936KVDL Current Testing for NAHLN937    KVDL currently is performing Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza938(HPAI; bird flu) testing, African Swine Fever Virus surveillance939testing, and FAD investigations for NAHLN and the United States. Both940Colorado and California have become overwhelmed with HPAI testing, so941KVDL stepped up to support HPAI (bird flu) wild bird surveillance for942Colorado and Foot-and-Mouth Disease Investigations for California. This943collaborative effort of assisting states that have become overwhelmed,944highlights the unique relationship among state laboratories and NAHLN945and the importance of NAHLN coordination.946    Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI; Bird Flu) continues to947pose a significant threat to both animal and human health, with the948recent outbreak starting in 2022 causing substantial losses in poultry949populations and raising concerns about zoonotic transmission (diseases950from animals to humans). While human cases remain rare, the virus's951ability to jump species underscores the critical need for vigilant952monitoring and containment efforts. Recent outbreaks in commercial953layer operations resulted in high egg prices in April 2025, which954negatively impacted restaurants and bakeries. Any insult to animal955agriculture can affect the supply chain to the restaurant and family956table levels; state veterinary diagnostic labs with NAHLN coordination957work to mitigate this risk.958    Since May 2022, KVDL has served as an active member of the USDA-959Wildlife Services National Wildlife Disease Program, the nation's960largest avian influenza surveillance effort targeting wild bird961populations. In addition, KVDL has participated in the Foot-and-Mouth962Disease and Seneca Valley Virus (Senecavirus A) (FMD/SVA) surveillance963testing program since September 2022. In early 2024, the emergence of964HPAI in dairy cattle placed a large testing burden on many NAHLN965laboratories across the country. In response, KVDL expanded its support966to assist other overwhelmed NAHLN labs. While continuing to perform967routine wild bird surveillance testing for assigned states, including968Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin, KVDL volunteered to969take on additional wild bird samples from Colorado's assigned states to970ease the workload of the Colorado NAHLN lab. Similarly, KVDL assisted971the California NAHLN lab by accepting and testing its FMD/SVA972surveillance samples. These examples illustrate the critical role of973NAHLN's coordinated state laboratory network to meet high testing974demands in disease outbreaks. To date, KVDL has tested samples from 135975Foreign Animal Disease Investigations (FADIs) for California under this976program. This was also evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when 22977veterinary diagnostic laboratories stood up human COVID testing to978support human health for their communities and states.979    At the same time, KVDL has remained actively involved in HPAI980testing efforts for dairy cattle, including for pre-movement, disease981status interest and clinical testing and testing for the USDA National982Herd Status Monitoring program. KVDL has also supported testing efforts983related to HPAI in other mammal populations, including affected984felines. These collaborative efforts reflect KVDL's commitment to985national animal health and its readiness to provide surge capacity and986diagnostic expertise in times of crisis; a capability shared by many987partner state laboratories.988Communication and Networking among State Laboratories, Including KVDL989        and NAHLN990    As a Level 1 member of the USDA-NAHLN, KVDL plays an active and991integral role in advancing the NAHLN mission. KVDL routinely992participates in weekly NAHLN laboratory response calls, testing993capacity drills, FAD exercises, and weekly surveys designed to assess994and strengthen laboratory readiness. KVDL, and other state995laboratories, also regularly complete proficiency (accuracy) testing996administered by NVSL and FADDL to ensure ongoing diagnostic accuracy997and reliability. KVDL faculty and staff contribute to national998coordination efforts by serving on several NAHLN working groups and999subcommittees, including the Methods Technical Working Group, the NAHLN1000IT Working Group, and the NAHLN Portal Working Group. In addition, KVDL1001personnel have served as quality-system auditors for other NAHLN1002laboratories, helping uphold high standards across the network. The lab1003is also actively engaged in emergency preparedness exercises, including1004functional drills for African Swine Fever (ASF) and an annual joint FAD1005response exercise with KDAH, NAHLN, and FADDL simulating a coordinated1006response to a mock foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. Through these1007ongoing contributions, KVDL demonstrates its leadership, expertise, and1008steadfast commitment to protecting animal health and strengthening1009national diagnostic preparedness, similar to many other state1010laboratories.1011NBAF Relationship with NAHLN and State Laboratories (such as KVDL)1012    The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is progressing1013towards full operational status with missions focused on FAD/outbreak1014testing and advancing FAD research. The Foreign Animal Disease1015Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL), a core component of NBAF, serves as the1016national reference laboratory for confirmatory testing of foreign1017animal disease (FAD) diseases that could deliver a significant impact1018on animal agriculture and the U.S. economy, including African Swine1019Fever (ASF), Classical Swine Fever (CSF), and Foot-and-Mouth Disease1020(FMD). Currently FADDL has three physical locations, which include1021Manhattan, KS (NBAF), Plum Island, NY (Plum Island Animal Disease1022Center; PIADC) and a smaller presence in Dorado Puerto Rico (Puerto1023Rico Department of Agriculture). While PIADC remains operational for1024the time-being, FADDL is progressively transferring operations to NBAF.1025Several FADDL programs have been fully transitioned to NBAF, including1026NAHLN proficiency tests (PT), which assess state laboratories testing1027accuracy and active surveillance testing for foreign animal diseases.1028From the NBAF facility, FADDL has produced and distributed 800 PT1029panels for ASF, CSF, FMD, and Seneca Valley Virus to NAHLN labs1030nationwide. Additionally, NBAF has tested over 17,000 samples under the1031USDA APHIS ASF/CSF Integrated Active Surveillance Program.1032Approximately half of FADDL's staff have relocated to NBAF, with1033ongoing efforts to complete the full transition of operations from1034PIADC.1035Summary--Importance of NAHLN1036    NAHLN, with over 20 years' of experience, standardized and1037controlled testing, and coordination of 64 state laboratories provides1038high testing capacity/numbers and redundancy in testing to control1039outbreaks and surveil for FADs on U.S. soil. In my opinion, NAHLN is1040the best example of a Federal organization harmoniously coordinating1041disease response among state laboratories and departments of1042Agriculture. When funds are appropriated to NAHLN, Federal dollars are1043supporting state laboratories, protecting the U.S. economy and food1044supply, preventing zoonosis, maintaining exports and trade channels and1045addressing many other critical national interests. KVDL, for instance,1046receives $250,000 annually from NAHLN, which is a small fraction of1047KVDL's overall budget of greater than $16 million. However, input costs1048of veterinary diagnostic laboratories are high and revenue can struggle1049to exceed expenses in some years. Despite these challenges, the1050services of veterinary diagnostic laboratories remain critical.1051Increasing NAHLN authorization/allocations to $45 million would bolster105264 state laboratories and four National Veterinary Service1053Laboratories, ensuring continued protection of animal agriculture and1054the economy.1055NBAF Science/Research Update1056   Scientific activities at the National Bio and Agro-Defense1057        Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas are starting in phases.10581059   This phased process begins with low-risk, common science1060        practices that don't involve infectious pathogens and moves to1061        more advanced or mission-focused science in later phases.10621063   Current scientific activities at NBAF are at a Biosafety1064        Level 1 and 2--which includes clean, non-infectious materials1065        as well as moderate-risk microbes. This is similar to science1066        work in most universities, colleges and diagnostic laboratories1067        across the country.10681069   Activities will progress to Biosafety Level 3 then 4 as1070        safety and science goals are achieved.10711072   USDA staff continue to outline and refine the specifics of1073        the science standup and transition from NBAF's predecessor, the1074        Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) in New York.10751076   As NBAF proceeds through science standup, the facility and1077        its procedures are required by law to undergo inspections and1078        reviews by Federal regulatory agencies.10791080          Testimony Prepared by: Jamie N. Retallick DVM, PHD, DACVP,1081        KVDL Director, KSU Professor and Veterinary Pathologist; Lance1082        Noll, Ph.D., KVDL Molecular Testing Section Head; KVDL NAHLN1083        and KDAH Liaison/Section Head, KSU Assistant Professor.10841085    The Chairman. Thank you, Dr. Retallick.1086    Next up, Dr. Hensley, please begin when you are ready.10871088   STATEMENT OF TERRY HENSLEY, MS, D.V.M., ASSISTANT AGENCY1089 DIRECTOR, VETERINARY MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY, TEXAS A&M1090                     UNIVERSITY; EXTENSION1091  VETERINARIAN, TEXAS A&M AgriLife EXTENSION SERVICE, COLLEGE1092                          STATION, TX10931094    Dr. Hensley. Good morning, Chairman Mann, Ranking Member1095Costa, and Members of the Subcommittee. Thank you for the1096opportunity to address you today. I am Terry Hensley, Assistant1097Agency Director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic1098Laboratory, or TVMDL. I have the privilege of serving at one of1099our nation's busiest veterinary diagnostic laboratories,1100running almost one million tests annually. Most of our caseload1101comes from within Texas, but we also receive samples from all110250 states and internationally. Animal diseases don't respect1103geographic boundaries. Therefore, it is imperative that our1104veterinary diagnostic laboratories in all 50 states have the1105same capabilities to detect diseases quickly and accurately to1106limit their spread and mitigate the impact on animal1107agriculture.1108    The NAHLN has built a responsive, effective partnership of1109state and Federal laboratories that leverages resources and1110talent across the nation. The NAHLN program office works1111tirelessly to strengthen relationships with every member1112laboratory so we can respond as a network to the ever-1113increasing disease incursions threatening our nation's animal1114agriculture industries.1115    It is crucial that the NAHLN be fortified and enabled to1116provide the critical diagnostic testing needed during animal1117disease outbreaks. Ensuring NAHLN has sufficient funding will1118aid in addressing our nation's need for a safe, stable, and1119nutritious food supply. We want to thank Congress for the1120increased funding for NAHLN in the reconciliation bill and for1121Congressman Ronny Jackson for helping lead those efforts.1122    TVMDL was one of the original NAHLN core laboratories.1123Texas has features that increase its risk for the introduction1124of animal disease threats, including a 1,248 mile long border1125with Mexico and multiple international land, sea, and air1126ports. Texas imports one million cattle annually from Mexico1127and 2\1/2\ million cattle from other U.S. states. In addition1128to livestock, Texas has an abundance of feral, wild, and farmed1129wildlife species, three major migratory flyways across the1130state. The interface between domestic and wildlife species1131poses a tremendous challenge for disease surveillance,1132detection, and eradication.1133    TVMDL's work protects Texas' $24 billion animal agriculture1134industries while enhancing the response preparedness of the1135NAHLN. An example of synergy occurred in March of 2024 when1136many dairies in the Texas panhandle reported a mysterious1137illness in lactating cows. The cows showed various signs of1138illness but most striking was the dramatic decrease in milk1139production. Dairy veterinarians sent samples to TVMDL, as well1140as our fellow NAHLN labs at Cornell University and Iowa State1141University. For several weeks, our laboratories ran every test1142that might provide an explanation, but there were no definitive1143answers. When dairies reported large numbers of dead birds and1144cats, the possibility of a connection between highly-pathogenic1145avian influenza and sick cattle was suggested.1146    The NAHLN laboratories at Texas A&M, Cornell, and Iowa1147State collaborated using shared samples from sick cows and1148demonstrated the presence of H5N1 virus in mammary tissue and1149milk. These results were reported to the NAHLN and confirmed by1150the National Veterinary Services Laboratories. On Monday, March115125, 2024, USDA made the unprecedented announcement of an1152outbreak of highly-pathogenic avian influenza in U.S. dairy1153cattle.1154    Texas may soon be ground zero for another incursion if the1155deadly New World screwworm fly invades our state from Mexico.1156While we hope this pest can be contained south of the border,1157hope, as they say, is not a strategy. The USDA's National1158Animal Health Laboratory Network is, however, one vital1159strategy serving as a cornerstone of the United States' efforts1160to protect livestock and ensure the health and productivity of1161the animal agriculture sector.1162    Thank you for your attention.1163    [The prepared statement of Dr. Hensley follows:]11641165   Prepared Statement of Terry Hensley, MS, D.V.M., Assistant Agency1166     Director, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Texas A&M1167   University; Extension Veterinarian, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension1168                      Service, College Station, TX1169    Good morning, Chairman Mann, Ranking Member Costa, and Members of1170the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to address you today.1171I'm Terry Hensley, assistant agency director of the Texas A&M1172Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, or TVMDL. I have the1173privilege of serving at one of our nation's busiest veterinary1174diagnostic laboratories, which runs over one million tests annually.1175Most of our caseload comes from within Texas, but we also receive1176samples from all 50 states and 20 other countries. As you know, animal1177diseases don't respect geographic boundaries. It Is imperative that our1178veterinary diagnostic laboratories in all 50 states have the same1179capabilities to detect diseases quickly and accurately, to limit the1180spread and mitigate the impact on animal agriculture. The NAHLN has1181built a responsive, effective partnership of state and Federal1182laboratories that leverage resources and talent across the nation.1183Introduction1184    The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) was developed1185in response to the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness1186and Response Act of 2002, and the Homeland Security Presidential1187Directive/HSPD-9 of 2004 to ``develop nationwide laboratory networks1188for food, veterinary, plant health and water quality that integrate1189existing Federal and state laboratory resources, are interconnected,1190and utilize standardized diagnostic protocols and procedures''.1191    NAHLN laboratories provide animal health diagnostic testing,1192methods research and development, and expertise for education and1193extension to detect biological threats to the nation's animal1194agriculture, thus protecting animal health, public health, and the1195nation's food supply.1196    The NAHLN enables Federal and state laboratories to test for1197economically devastating and potentially zoonotic diseases such as1198foot-and-mouth disease, African swine fever, influenza in avian and1199swine species, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) among other1200NAHLN scope diseases. This network serves as our nation's most vital1201early warning system for emerging and foreign animal diseases.1202    The laboratories within the NAHLN are equipped with state-of-the-1203art technologies and staffed by highly trained professionals. This,1204along with the requirement for third-party accreditation to1205internationally recognized quality standards, ensures the highest1206levels of diagnostic accuracy and reliability. By providing precise and1207timely diagnoses, NAHLN laboratories enable veterinarians and livestock1208producers to make informed decisions about animal health management,1209thus fostering the overall well-being of livestock.1210    The NAHLN's primary importance lies in its ability to facilitate1211early detection and rapid response to animal disease outbreaks. The1212network laboratories, strategically located across the United States,1213work collaboratively to conduct surveillance, diagnostic testing, and1214research. The rapid identification of pathogens enables swift action to1215contain and eradicate diseases, thus preventing their spread and1216minimizing their impact.1217    Effective disease control requires collaboration and coordination1218among various stakeholders. The NAHLN works closely with Federal and1219state agencies, industry groups, and international organizations to1220ensure a unified response to animal health threats. This collaborative1221approach enhances the network's ability to address complex challenges1222and strengthens the overall resilience of the animal health1223infrastructure.1224    NAHLN celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022, and it's been1225remarkable to see how far the network has come since the early days of1226its inception. The NAHLN Program Office has worked tirelessly to forge1227and strengthen the relationships with every one of the NAHLN member1228laboratories so we can respond as a network to the ever-increasing1229disease incursions threatening our nation's animal agriculture1230industries. It's crucial that the NAHLN be fortified and enabled to1231provide preparation, prevention, diagnosis, response, and recovery from1232economically important and potentially zoonotic diseases. Ensuring the1233NAHLN has sufficient funding will aid in addressing our nation's need1234for a safe, stable, and nutritious food supply. We want to thank1235Congress for the increased funding for NAHLN in the Reconciliation Bill1236and for Congressman Ronny Jackson in helping lead those efforts.1237TVMDL Background Information1238    TVMDL was a charter member of the NAHLN, one of the original 121239labs identified as a Core Lab in 2002. To understand why TVMDL was1240chosen as one of the Core Labs, a closer look at the State of Texas is1241in order. Texas has several attributes that put it at increased risk1242for the introduction of animal disease threats. Texas shares a border1243with four Mexican states (1,248 miles long) and four U.S. states. Texas1244has multiple land ports, seaports, and international airports. The1245state imports more live animals than any other state, including one1246million cattle annually from Mexico, and 2.5 million cattle from other1247U.S. states. In addition to domestic livestock species, Texas has an1248abundance of feral and farmed wildlife species, such as cervids, exotic1249hoof-stock, and feral swine. Three major migratory flyways lead birds1250to the state. The interface between domestic and wildlife species poses1251a tremendous challenge for disease surveillance, detection, and1252eradication. Texas' geographic location is obviously an urgent concern1253for the introduction of New World Screwworm into the U.S. from Mexico,1254and for African Swine Fever from the Dominican Republic and Haiti.1255    Texas is home to the nation's largest livestock industry and leads1256in the production of cattle, goats, sheep, and lambs. The cattle1257industry is worth approximately $12.3 billion and produces 15% of the1258nation's fed beef. The state ranks sixth in the nation in poultry1259production (broilers and eggs) and fourth in milk. As one of the most1260popular game animals, white-tailed deer are important to the state's1261economy with deer hunting generating an estimated $1.2 billion in1262economic output. Texas is also one of the leading exporters of animal1263and animal products, and the state boasts a population of nearly one1264million horses. TVMDL offers state-of-the-art diagnostic services to1265each of these industries.1266    The Texas Legislature created the TVMDL as a state agency in 1967,1267and the first laboratory within the TVMDL system opened in College1268Station in 1969. Today, TVMDL is a member of the Texas A&M University1269System and has four locations throughout the state (College Station,1270Canyon, Center, and Gonzales). With its strategic locations, TVMDL is1271uniquely positioned to serve the animal industries of Texas and the1272surrounding region. TVMDL's work enhances the response preparedness of1273the NAHLN and protects Texas' $24 billion animal agriculture1274industries. Our College Station and Canyon laboratories harbor a1275tremendous amount of expertise in diagnostics that support the cattle-1276feeding and dairy industries. The staff foster strong, collaborative1277relationships with agricultural industries in the region. TVMDL's1278Center and Gonzales labs are strategically located in the poultry-rich1279regions of the state.1280    TVMDL employs 165 staff, including 31 veterinarians, 22 of which1281hold at least one board certification in their specialty. TVMDL1282processes over 180,000 submissions and performs over one million tests1283each year on samples submitted from throughout Texas, all 50 states,1284and at least 20 countries across the globe. Routine laboratory1285submissions provide the backbone of both a state and nationwide animal1286and public health surveillance system. With nearly 700 different assays1287in TVMDL's test repertoire, ranging from classic methods to cutting1288edge technologies, the agency has one of the broadest offerings of any1289veterinary diagnostic laboratory in the United States. TVMDL staff1290routinely attend industry meetings and work with producers and1291veterinarians to establish priorities. Statewide, TVMDL has well-1292established, collaborative relationships with the Texas Animal Health1293Commission (TAHC), Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS),1294Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Texas Poultry Federation,1295Texas Cattle Feeders Association, and numerous other industry and1296commodity groups.1297    With recognition as a Level 1 laboratory of the National Animal1298Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), we participate in and maintain1299capacity and competency in testing for most of the diseases in the1300NAHLN program. We are also actively engaged in daily testing for1301notifiable and monitored diseases, select agents, as well as state and1302Federal regulatory diseases. Our Canyon and College Station labs house1303the only BSL-3 laboratories in Texas dedicated to animal disease1304detection.1305    TVMDL strives to identify and develop new technologies that1306strengthen our diagnostic capacities. In collaboration with national1307and international research scientists, TVMDL works to develop, test,1308and validate new diagnostic assays. In 2019, the Texas A&M University1309System Chancellor provided $3 million to TVMDL specifically designated1310to enhance TVMDL's research and development capabilities. This enabled1311TVMDL to establish a Research and Development Section (R&D) that works1312alongside the diagnostic testing sections to identify emerging disease1313threats that need targeted diagnostic assays. The R&D Section also1314coordinates with the Veterinary Services Section, a team of veterinary1315diagnosticians that have extensive clinical practice experience in1316large animal, small animal, equine, and wildlife medicine. This team1317also includes veterinarians with training in epidemiology and1318veterinary preventive medicine.1319    In the 88th Texas legislative session that ended in May of 2023,1320appropriations were approved for a new initiative called ``Keeping1321Texas Prepared.'' This $96 million program brings together five state1322agencies that are tasked with disaster response and recovery: Texas A&M1323AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Division of Emergency Management,1324Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, Texas A&M Forest Service, and1325TVMDL. These five agencies meet to discuss current and emerging1326disaster situations and threats. The State of Texas recognizes the1327crucial role each agency plays in mitigating the effects of natural1328disasters, including human and animal disease threats, and has seen fit1329to increase the base funding for each agency. TVMDL was appropriated1330$3.7 million per biennium specifically for the rapid detection of1331animal and human disease threats.1332    TVMDL's two full-service labs are located adjacent to higher1333education institutions that are leaders in veterinary medicine. In1334College Station, Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine1335& Biomedical Sciences (CVM) is one of the largest and highest-ranking1336colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S. In 2009, CVM partnered with1337West Texas A&M University in Canyon to create VERO, the Veterinary1338Education, Research, and Outreach program in the Texas Panhandle.1339TVMDL's College Station laboratory also has strong partnerships with1340internationally recognized organizations such as the Texas A&M1341Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases (IIAD) and the Norman Borlaug1342Institute for International Agriculture.1343TVMDL and the NAHLN1344    Routine surveillance and monitoring by laboratories such as TVMDL1345are vital components of the NAHLN's operations. Through regular testing1346and data collection, the network can identify disease patterns and1347emerging threats. Ideally, this results in timely implementation of1348control measures to prevent disease spread. As Texas is vulnerable to1349many of these disease threats, TVMDL tests for most of the diseases1350under the NAHLN scope, including African Swine Fever, Classical Swine1351Fever, Scrapie, Chronic Wasting Disease, Avian Influenza, Swine1352Influenza, and Newcastle disease. TVMDL's involvement in diagnosis and1353surveillance for the NAHLN includes the 2002-2003 outbreak of Exotic1354Newcastle disease, requiring the depopulation of over three million1355poultry and a total cost of $161 million for eradication. In 2005,1356TVMDL found one of only six cases of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy1357(BSE) ever diagnosed in the U.S. In 2004-2006, 2015, and 2020, Texas1358and other states experienced numerous outbreaks of Vesicular Stomatitis1359Virus (VSV). TVMDL has worked closely with the NAHLN, TPWD, and TAHC on1360surveillance testing for Chronic Wasting Disease since the discovery of1361the disease in Texas in 2012. Texas was not impacted by the outbreak of1362highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in 2014-2015, which at that1363time was the largest animal disease outbreak in U.S. history, but 151364other states were not as fortunate. The direct losses of this outbreak1365were $1 billion, with a loss of 50 million birds and an overall1366economic loss of $4.4 billion (adjusted to 2025), and NAHLN1367laboratories performed approximately 80,000 PCR tests for HPAI. There1368were many lessons learned and shared throughout the network from this1369outbreak, but it would soon be eclipsed in 2022 by the current outbreak1370of the H5N1 strain of HPAI.1371The 2022-Present Outbreak of Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza1372    The largest animal disease outbreak in U.S. history and the biggest1373challenge faced to date by the NAHLN and its member laboratories1374started in early 2022. This H5N1 strain of virus, carried and spread by1375wild birds, was first detected in February of 2022 in Indiana and1376spread quickly. In Texas, TVMDL's first detection was in March of 20221377in a flock of captive gamebirds. By the end of 2022, all four of1378TVMDL's labs throughout the state had detected the virus in backyard1379poultry flocks and wild birds, but our commercial poultry industry1380remained unscathed. The outbreak persisted throughout 2022 and 2023, as1381the virus spread to nearly every state in the U.S. This strain of virus1382also showed an unusual ability to jump into mammalian species,1383generally causing a fatal neurologic disease in omnivores and1384carnivores such as foxes and skunks, and large cats such as mountain1385lions, tigers, and lions. As months turned to years, NAHLN and its1386partner laboratories shared data and information daily and weekly and1387maintained lines of communication with state and Federal veterinarians,1388commercial industry stakeholders, and others involved in the battle to1389contain this disease. However, a further demonstration of NAHLN's1390important role and the collaboration of NAHLN laboratories was to play1391out in 2024.1392Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Dairy Cattle1393    In February and March of 2024, many dairies in the Texas Panhandle1394reported a mysterious illness amongst their lactating cattle. The1395cattle were showing various signs of illness, but the most striking1396feature in every herd was dramatic decreases in milk production. Dairy1397veterinarians sent samples to TVMDL, as well as our fellow NAHLN labs1398at Cornell University and Iowa State University. For several weeks, our1399laboratories ran every test we could think of that might provide an1400explanation, but there were no definitive answers. A few dairy1401veterinarians reported that some premises had large numbers of dead1402wild birds. To no one's surprise, the birds tested positive for H5N11403HPAI. Still, no one suspected the link between the virus and the1404illness in dairy cattle. One of the veterinarians reported that on1405several of the dairies, the barn cats had all died suddenly or had1406simply disappeared. TVMDL tested the brains of several dead cats, and1407it contained high amounts of H5N1 HPAI virus. With that, the1408possibility of a connection between the virus and sick cattle was1409suggested. On Friday, March 22, 2024, a nasal swab from a cow tested1410weak positive for H5N1 at TVMDL. TVMDL shared tissue samples with our1411colleagues at Iowa State from a sick cow that was sacrificed in hopes1412of getting a diagnosis. On Friday, March 22, 2024, Iowa State ran tests1413demonstrating the presence of H5N1 virus within infected mammary gland1414tissue and milk. These striking results were reported to NAHLN and1415confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratories over the1416weekend. By Monday, March 25, 2024, the USDA made the unprecedented1417announcement of an outbreak of Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza in1418U.S. dairy cattle.\1\ We now know that unfortunately, before this1419discovery, asymptomatic cattle had already shipped outside of Texas.1420The virus spread from one state to another and there are currently 171421states and nearly 1,100 herds affected nationwide.1422---------------------------------------------------------------------------1423    \1\ USDA announcement March 25, 2025.1424---------------------------------------------------------------------------1425    Fortunately, due to measures enacted by USDA and affected states,1426the spread of the disease in dairy cattle appears to be slowing.1427However, commercial poultry operations continue to be infected, with1428over 100 million birds lost, and a direct cost of over $1.4 billion as1429of November 2024.\2\1430---------------------------------------------------------------------------1431    \2\ Bird flu outbreak costs U.S. poultry industry $1.4 billion.1432Forbes, Jan 30, 2025.1433---------------------------------------------------------------------------1434    The initial outbreak in Texas cattle was determined to be caused by1435a single spillover event from a wild infected bird into a cow, likely1436around December of 2023. Disease spread from the index herd to other1437herds within Texas and to other states was largely due to movement of1438infected cattle.\3\ Whole genome sequence analyses have demonstrated1439the ability of the virus to cross species barriers.\4\ There is also a1440public health threat, as there are numerous documented transmissions of1441the virus to dairy and poultry farm workers exhibiting influenza-like1442symptoms. The human illnesses have mostly been mild, although there1443have been several requiring hospitalizations and one death in an1444individual with underlying health condi-1445tions.5, 61446---------------------------------------------------------------------------1447    \3\ Nguyen T.Q., Hutter C.R., Markin A., et al. Emergence and1448interstate spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in dairy1449cattle in the United States. 2025; 388.1450    \4\ Caserta L., Frye E.A., Butt S.L., et al. Spillover of highly1451pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus to dairy cattle. Nature. 2024;1452634 (8034): 669-6763.1453    \5\ Garg S., Reinhart K., Couture A., et al. Highly pathogenic1454avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infections in humans. The New England1455Journal of Medicine. 2025; 392 (9): 843-854.1456    \6\ Louisiana Department of Health press release, January 6, 2025.1457---------------------------------------------------------------------------1458Funding for the NAHLN1459    NAHLN has been authorized for funding at $30 million since 2012 but1460has only been allocated $24.9 million from APHIS ($20.7 million) and1461NIFA ($4.2 million). These amounts are far below the $45 million needed1462for the NAHLN to fully support its mission.\7\ In 2024, of the $24.91463million total NAHLN funding, $7,885,335 (32%) was used for fee-for-1464service testing supporting the surveillance and diagnostic testing for1465NAHLN program diseases (BSE, Scrapie, CSF/ASF, HPAI, etc.) and foreign1466animal disease (FAD) investigations. Another $14,343,000 (58%) was used1467to support NAHLN member laboratories, with funding levels apportioned1468by the number of labs at each of the Level 1, 2, and 3 designations.1469---------------------------------------------------------------------------1470    \7\ NAHLN is Essential to the Health of Food Animal Agriculture,1471Food Security, Bioterrorism Surveillance, and the U.S. Economy: $451472million total annual funding is needed. AAVLD/USAHA position statement.1473---------------------------------------------------------------------------1474    While all NAHLN laboratories are grateful for the Federal funding1475we receive, these amounts distributed across 64 laboratories do not go1476far. In TVMDL's case, as a Level 1 laboratory, we receive the highest1477level of NAHLN funding possible: $250,000 from the NIFA Line Item, and1478$128,000 in infrastructure funding, for a total of $378,000, or1479approximately 1.5% of our annual revenue budget. The money goes towards1480supporting portions of select staff salaries and purchasing certain1481equipment used for NAHLN testing. It is therefore easy to see how this1482Federal funding leverages resources available at the state level to1483conduct testing that benefits the nation. However, it should be noted1484that all states are not resourced equally and many NAHLN laboratories1485are much more reliant on NAHLN funding to afford the equipment and1486personnel necessary to carry out the mission of the NAHLN.1487    Additionally, the $24.9 million has remained level for several1488years and has not increased despite the heavy burden placed on the1489network by HPAI in poultry and dairy cattle. In conclusion, the USDA's1490National Animal Health Laboratory Network is a cornerstone of the1491United States' efforts to protect livestock and ensure the health and1492productivity of the agricultural sector. Through early detection,1493diagnostic excellence, economic protection, research advancement, and1494public health enhancement, the NAHLN plays a vital role in safeguarding1495the nation's livestock and supporting the livelihoods of farmers. Its1496contributions are invaluable in maintaining the prosperity and security1497of the U.S. agricultural industry.14981499    The Chairman. Thank you for your testimony, Dr. Hensley.1500    Next up, Dr. Main, please begin when you are ready.15011502   STATEMENT OF RODGER G. MAIN, D.V.M., Ph.D., PROFESSOR AND1503   DIRECTOR, VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY, DEPARTMENT OF1504   VETERINARY AND DIAGNOSTIC MEDICINE, COLLEGE OF VETERINARY1505                     MEDICINE, IOWA STATE1506                      UNIVERSITY, AMES, IA15071508    Dr. Main. Sure. Good morning. My name is Rodger Main. I1509have the honor of serving as a Professor and the Director of1510the Iowa State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab located in Ames, Iowa.1511    The Iowa State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab is the only full1512service and fully accredited veterinary diagnostic lab in our1513state and serves as the official veterinary diagnostic lab for1514the State of Iowa. Our team at the ISU VDL proudly serves as an1515active contributor to the USDA's National Animal Health Lab1516Network.1517    The NAHLN delivers a national standard of best-in-class1518veterinary diagnostic technologies, testing capabilities, and1519coordination of information among Federal, state, and private-1520sector veterinarians from across the country who are1521responsible for surveilling and responding to animal health1522emergencies of high consequence to U.S. animal agriculture.1523    As you know, agriculture is critically important to the1524State of Iowa and its people, past, present, and future. Iowa1525is a national leader in animal agriculture, both in production1526and processing, and a substantive exporter of value-added food1527products. This is why the ISU VDL has a long history of being1528front and center in diagnosing and supporting responses of1529emerging diseases of high consequence to Iowa and U.S. animal1530agriculture.1531    As Randy mentioned, the ISU VDL's team of 30 faculty and1532155 technical staff process greater than 125 case submissions,1533conducting more than 1.7 million assays annually. ISU VDL1534carries amongst the largest food-animal-centered caseloads in1535our country, with submissions of livestock and poultry origin1536representing greater than 90 percent of the cases received.1537    ISU VDL's principal clientele are the practicing1538veterinarians, who are working directly in support of the1539veterinary healthcare needs of U.S. farmers and ranchers on a1540daily basis. This connectivity to the boots-on-the-ground of1541Iowa and U.S. animal agriculture positions our laboratory very1542well in our role as a Level 1 lab in the National Animal Health1543Lab Network. Our work includes receiving and supporting1544endemic, emerging, and foreign animal disease case1545investigations, surveillance, and supporting response efforts1546in support of the NAHLN's mission to protect U.S. animal1547health, public health, and the nation's food supply.1548    In my view, the NAHLN is an exemplary example of a highly1549functional and effective partnership amongst Federal, state,1550university, and industry partners. The efficiencies of the1551Federal funds invested in the NAHLN are greatly amplified1552through the leveraging of the substantive laboratory1553infrastructure, subject matter expertise, quality assured1554laboratory testing capabilities, research scientists, and the1555direct connectivity to the frontlines of U.S. animal1556agriculture that exists at our university and state diagnostic1557labs across the country. The Federal support provided through1558the NAHLN is a cornerstone for enhancing national preparedness1559to effectively monitor and respond to the ever-increasing risk1560and realities of emerging disease of high importance to both1561animal and human health.1562    ISU VDL's role in working in partnership with our USDA1563colleagues, practicing veterinarians, peer laboratories, and1564the state and Federal animal health officials from across the1565country in support of the detection and response to the high-1566path avian influenza outbreak impacting U.S. poultry, flocks,1567and dairy herds in the past 2 years is simply the most recent1568example of the ISU VDL and USDA NAHLN partners from across the1569country stepping up in a time of need. Such capabilities are1570only made possible through the Federal investment in this vital1571network.1572    In summary, I believe the Federal investments in the NAHLN1573represent a true win-win-win, win for U.S. animal health,1574public health, for U.S. agriculture more broadly, and for1575enhancing the security, safety, and affordability of our1576nation's food supply. I thank the Members of this Committee and1577leaders within USDA APHIS, both present and past, for your1578leadership, vision, and steadfast support for establishing and1579continuing to advance the capabilities and reach of the NAHLN1580across our country. Your vision and support have resulted in1581the development of a highly trusted and capable veterinary1582network of veterinary diagnostic labs that are truly world1583class. In my opinion, the NAHLN is a crown jewel within USDA1584APHIS Veterinary Services that is uniquely American and1585unmatched the world around. It is something that each of us as1586Americans can and should take great pride in.1587    And thank you again for the opportunity to be, and speak1588with you, here today.1589    [The prepared statement of Dr. Main follows:]15901591  Prepared Statement of Rodger G. Main, D.V.M., Ph.D., Professor and1592 Director, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary1593  and Diagnostic Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State1594                          University, Ames, IA1595    Key Points:15961597   The USDA National Animal Health Network (NAHLN) is a1598        cornerstone of our nation's efforts for protecting U.S. animal1599        health, public health, and the security of a safe, abundant,1600        and affordable food supply.16011602   The NAHLN delivers a national standard of best-in-class1603        veterinary diagnostic technologies, testing capabilities, and1604        coordination of information among the Federal, state, and1605        private-sector (practicing) veterinarians from across the U.S.1606        who are responsible for surveilling and responding to animal1607        health emergencies of high consequence to U.S. animal1608        agriculture.16091610   The efficiencies of the Federal funds invested in the NAHLN1611        are greatly amplified through the leveraging of the substantive1612        veterinary diagnostic laboratory infrastructure, subject matter1613        expertise, quality assured laboratory testing capabilities,1614        research scientists, and the direct connectivity to the1615        frontlines of U.S. animal agriculture that exists at the1616        university and state veterinary diagnostic labs across the1617        country.16181619   NAHLN is an exemplary example of a highly functional and1620        effective partnership among Federal, state, university, and1621        industry partners working together to meet critically important1622        needs of our nation.16231624   The leadership and vision provided in establishing and1625        continuing to advance the capabilities and reach of the NAHLN1626        across our country has resulted in the development of a highly1627        trusted and capable network of veterinary diagnostic1628        laboratories that is uniquely American and truly world class.1629USDA National Animal Health Lab Network (NAHLN):1630    The USDA National Animal Health Lab Network (NAHLN) is an essential1631component of a national strategy that provides the frontline support1632for detecting, responding to, and recovering from animal health1633emergencies of high consequence to U.S. animal agriculture.1634    The NAHLN is a network of Federal, university, and state1635laboratories distributed throughout the country that collectively serve1636as our nation's primary veterinary diagnostic laboratory infrastructure1637for protecting U.S. animal health, public health, and the security of1638our food supply.1639    The NAHLN was established in 2002 and has evolved to include a1640total of 64 labs contributing at various levels and capacities towards1641advancing NAHLN's mission of safeguarding animal health, public health,1642and our nation's food supply. The NAHLN also works in partnership as1643part of the three-legged stool with the National Animal Vaccine and1644Veterinary Countermeasure Bank and National Animal Disease Preparedness1645Response Program to bolster the country's abilities to capably respond1646to animal health emergencies of high consequence.1647    The NAHLN provides a well-structured system for enabling diseases1648of high consequence testing to be conducted in a quality assured manner1649by university and state veterinary diagnostic laboratories that are1650geographically dispersed throughout the country. The NAHLN brings a1651national standard of best-in-class veterinary diagnostic technologies1652and system for integrating veterinary diagnostic information to be1653actively in service on frontlines of U.S. animal agriculture on a day-1654to-day basis. This distributive model of service brought about by the1655NAHLN's partnering with university and state labs provides for a1656practical and efficient means for delivering emerging and foreign1657animal disease diagnostic support in a timely, cost effective,1658scalable, and quality assured manner across the country.1659Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in the NAHLN1660    The Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (ISU VDL) is1661the only full-service, fully accredited veterinary diagnostic1662laboratory in the State of Iowa, and serves the state as its official1663veterinary diagnostic laboratory.1664    The ISU VDL proudly serves as an active contributor to USDA's1665National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN).1666    As a Level 1 Laboratory in the NAHLN, ISU VDL collaborates on a1667daily basis with the USDA Federal reference laboratories, peer1668university and state labs, practicing veterinarians, and state and1669Federal veterinary medical officials from across the country.1670    As you know, agriculture is critically important to the State of1671Iowa and its people--past, present, and future. Iowa is perennially a1672national leader in animal agriculture, both in production and1673processing, and a substantive exporter of value-added food products.1674    This is why ISU VDL has a long history of being front and center in1675diagnosing, researching, and supporting responses to emerging diseases1676of high consequence to Iowa and U.S. animal agriculture.1677    The ISU VDL is a major unit within the Department of Veterinary1678Diagnostic and Production Medicine in Iowa State University's College1679of Veterinary Medicine.1680    ISU VDL's team of 30 faculty and 155 technical staff play an active1681role on the frontlines of U.S. animal agriculture. The lab processes1682approximately 125,000 diagnostic case submissions and conducts more1683than 1.7 million diagnostic assays annually.1684    While the range of comprehensive veterinary diagnostic services the1685ISU VDL provides extends across the full-spectrum of the animal1686kingdom--including livestock, companion animals, and wildlife--and1687includes mitigating the risks of zoonotic diseases spilling over from1688animals to people; ISU VDL's core purpose centers on playing a critical1689role in safeguarding and bettering the health, well-being, and1690competitiveness of Iowa's and the nation's animal agriculture, and1691ultimately, the security and safety of our nation's food supply.1692    The ISU VDL carries among the largest food animal centered1693caseloads in the U.S., with submissions of livestock and poultry origin1694representing greater than 90% of the cases received and approximately169595% of the overall diagnostic services provided.1696    ISU VDL receives more than 2,500 case submissions each week. This1697abundant flow of real-world case material provides our veterinary1698diagnosticians and research scientists an immediate insight into the1699applied research questions of high relevance to stakeholders and1700industries we serve. This case material also serves as invaluable aid1701in the teaching and training of the next generation of veterinarians,1702diagnosticians, and veterinary scientists.1703    ISU VDL's principal clientele are the practicing veterinarians who1704are working directly to support the veterinary health care needs of1705U.S. farmers and ranchers on a daily basis. This direct connectivity to1706the boots on the ground of Iowa and U.S. animal agriculture positions1707our laboratory very well in its role and service as a Level 1 Lab in1708the NAHLN.1709    Our work as a Level 1 Laboratory in the NAHLN includes receiving1710and supporting endemic, emerging, and foreign animal disease1711investigations, surveillance, and response efforts in support of the1712NAHLN's mission to protect U.S. animal health, public health, and the1713nation's food supply.1714    The ISU VDL monitors its heavy case load of diagnostic submissions1715for diseases of high-consequence, maintains an adequate staff of1716proficiency-tested technicians, and a BSL-3 capable diagnostic1717facility. Examples of NAHLN scope disease surveillance and testing at1718the ISU VDL include diseases such as Avian Influenza, African Swine1719Fever, Chronic Wasting Disease, Classical Swine Fever, Exotic Newcastle1720Disease, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Pseudorabies, and Type A Influenza of1721Swine as well as monitoring for trends in antimicrobial resistance1722among U.S. livestock and poultry. In just our local example, the ISU1723VDL conducted approximately 156,000 tests on U.S. livestock and poultry1724on these NAHLN scope related animal health monitoring and disease1725control efforts over the course of the past year.1726    In my view, the NAHLN is an exemplary example of a highly1727functional, efficient, and effective partnership among Federal, state,1728university, and industry partners.1729Federal Support Provided to the NAHLN1730    Federal support provided through the NAHLN is a cornerstone of1731enhancing our national preparedness to effectively monitor and respond1732to the ever-increasing risks and realities of emerging diseases of1733importance to both animal and human health.1734    The efficiencies of the Federal funds invested in the NAHLN are1735greatly amplified through the leveraging of the substantive veterinary1736diagnostic laboratory infrastructure, subject matter expertise, quality1737assured laboratory testing capabilities, research scientists, and the1738direct connectivity to the frontlines of U.S. animal agriculture that1739exists at the university and state veterinary diagnostic labs across1740the country.1741    The financial resources provided to the ISU VDL as a Level 1 Lab in1742the NAHLN are essential in enhancing animal disease monitoring1743capabilities and capacity, demonstrating competence and compliance of1744well-defined testing standards, supporting the development and1745implementation of quality assurance programs that drive the continuous1746improvement of the laboratory, increasing collaboration and1747connectivity between state and Federal animal health officials and1748diagnostic laboratories, and improving foreign or emerging animal1749disease testing, surveillance, and containment capabilities.1750    These funds have enabled the ISU VDL the ability to maintain a BSL-17513 capable diagnostic laboratory space and an adequate staffing of1752proficiency-trained diagnostic technicians that are utilized on a1753regular basis for foreign, emerging, and domestic disease surveillance1754and provide surge capacity when a disease outbreak occurs. These funds1755also support laboratory information technology infrastructure,1756capabilities, and personnel to develop and use data systems necessary1757for secure management and transmission of sensitive laboratory data.1758Similarly, support through the NAHLN continues to be critical towards1759enhancing the ISU VDL's quality assurance programs that validate the1760accuracy and reliability of the test results to reassure decision-1761makers and foreign trading partners that they can have confidence in1762the results.1763    ISU VDL's role working in partnership with our USDA colleagues,1764practicing veterinarians, peer laboratories, and state and Federal1765medical officials from across the country in support of the detection1766and response to the outbreak of High-Path Avian Influenza Virus (HP-1767AIV) impacting U.S. poultry flocks and dairy herds over the course of1768the past few years is simply the most recent example of the ISU VDL and1769USDA NAHLN partners stepping up in a time of need. Such capabilities1770are only made possible by Federal investment in this vital network.1771    In short, funding received through the NAHLN is used as an1772extremely efficient and effective means of leveraging the capabilities1773existing at the ISU VDL to enhance the U.S. diagnostic system serving1774to protect animal health, human health, and the greater than $2501775billion U.S. animal agricultural economy.1776Closing1777    In summary, I believe the Federal investments in the NAHLN1778represent a true win-win-win--for U.S. animal health and public health;1779for U.S. agriculture more broadly; and for enhancing the security,1780safety, and affordability of our nation's food supply.1781    I thank the Members of this Committee and leaders within USDA APHIS1782both present and past for your leadership, vision, and steadfast1783support for establishing and continuing to advance the capabilities and1784reach of the NAHLN across our country.1785    Your vision and support have resulted in the development of a1786highly trusted and highly capable network of veterinary diagnostic1787laboratories that is truly world class. In my opinion, the NAHLN is a1788crowned jewel within USDA APHIS Veterinary Services that is uniquely1789American, and unmatched the world around. It is something that each of1790us as Americans can--and should--take great pride in.17911792    The Chairman. Thank you, Dr. Main, for that testimony.1793    Next up, Dr. Jones, please begin when you are ready.17941795         STATEMENT OF ANNETTE B. JONES, D.V.M., STATE1796   VETERINARIAN AND DIRECTOR, ANIMAL HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY1797     SERVICES DIVISION, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND1798                  AGRICULTURE, SACRAMENTO, CA17991800    Dr. Jones. Thank you for including me in this hearing1801today. My long tenure as State Veterinarian has provided me1802with extensive real-world experience. I have seen effective and1803less effective strategies, and I am very familiar with critical1804infrastructure that must be in place to mitigate the impacts of1805catastrophic disease outbreaks.1806    To provide some context, I think of myself as a fire chief,1807and our disease control experts are deployed to contain1808outbreaks, much like containing an almost-invisible fire. We1809are emergency responders, and our strategies are practiced but1810modified to reflect the specific situation in front of us.1811State and Federal partners work side by side, and decisions are1812made in unified command. Similar to a fire response, our1813actions like euthanizing entire flocks or halting animal and1814product movement needed to maintain business can be devastating1815to some but are necessary to minimize the negative impacts on1816all the nation's herds and flocks.1817    Continuing the analogy, the National Animal Health1818Laboratory Network exists to detect new pathogens that threaten1819our food system, animal health, or public health. It is like1820the smoke detector that alerts all potentially impacted animal1821owners and first responders to a problem early enough to reduce1822losses. This critical detection system also accurately tells us1823field responders what is in front of us so that we can modify1824our strategy.1825    That brings me to my first point. We as a nation, and as1826farmers and ranchers, need that smoke detector so that even if1827the fire department is delayed or overwhelmed, we know there is1828a problem and we can act to protect our employees and animals.1829    This also brings me to my second point. Given the weight of1830regulatory response decisions, testing must be accurate,1831consistent, and timely. That means we must have a laboratory1832network with surge capacity, consistent methods, and robust1833quality control at all member labs. The test results must stand1834up to scrutiny.1835    For example, last winter, we were challenged in California1836with over 770 H5N1-infected dairies and 68 poultry outbreak1837control zones. Normally, our California lab tests about 4501838samples per month for influenza. At the peak of this recent1839outbreak, the sample load was 12,000 samples per month, which1840is more than 25 times our normal workload.1841    In those 4 months, the lab network deployed pairs of1842technicians from other labs to California to help with testing.1843Because these technicians performed the same test on the same1844equipment using the same standard operating procedures at their1845home lab, they were able to immediately expand our lab1846capacity. At the height of the outbreak, besides fully using1847the California lab network, labs in seven other states1848received, processed, and electronically reported accurate,1849almost real-time results.1850    My last point is more specific to our way out of the1851current H5N1 outbreak. I believe we must sustain three1852concerted efforts. And if even one is neglected, the other two1853will fail. The first is ongoing testing. Through active1854surveillance, we will detect mutations and exposure levels or1855prevalence so we can take informed actions to protect animals1856and people. Note that the network laboratories have provided1857over one million test results nationwide in response to the1858current outbreak. But as I just alluded, testing alone will not1859make the virus disappear or get us out of this outbreak.1860    Biosecurity is also needed, meaning actions like movement1861control, traffic control, personal protective equipment,1862sanitation, and decontamination. When viral load in the1863environment is below a certain threshold, we know that1864biosecurity is by far the best tool for preventing disease. But1865I have seen time and time again that even the best farm1866biosecurity will be overwhelmed if there is too much virus1867being produced by surrounding poultry, wild birds, and dairy1868cows. So again, biosecurity alone will not work if the1869environmental viral load is not managed.1870    Bringing us to the third effort, reducing virus in the1871environment. Currently, we do this the hard way, by euthanizing1872infected flocks and by allowing dairy immunity to develop after1873exposure. Dairy exposure means a huge percent of herds suffer1874through bloody, snotty noses, aborted pregnancies, no interest1875in food and water, and udders that dry up. This is not a path1876that most herd managers ever want to travel, and poultry1877producers must now use biosecurity to defend their flocks not1878only from other infected flocks and wild birds, but also from1879dairies that may be actively infected for months.1880    Note that of the 17 states that have had infected dairy1881cows, 12 have experienced poultry outbreaks directly from those1882dairy cases. I believe we need dairy vaccine in the toolbox1883yesterday, especially for regions currently free from disease.1884If I were a poultry producer, a beef producer, a swine1885producer, or a dairy producer, I would be banging my fist on1886the table to vaccinate dairy cattle way ahead of poultry.1887    The Chairman. Thank you, Doctor.1888    Dr. Jones. If the USDA can successfully keep trade doors1889open when millions of dairy cows are actively infected with1890H5N1, I am confident they can get the job done for a vaccine.1891    [The prepared statement of Dr. Jones follows:]18921893Prepared Statement of Annette B. Jones, D.V.M., State Veterinarian and1894 Director, Animal Health and Food Safety Services Division, California1895           Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, CA1896    Thank you for including me in this hearing today. My long tenure as1897a State Veterinarian has provided me with extensive real-world1898experience. I have seen effective and less effective strategies and am1899very familiar with the critical infrastructure that must be in place to1900mitigate impacts of catastrophic disease outbreaks.1901    To provide some context, I think of myself as a ``Fire Chief'' and1902our disease control experts are deployed to contain outbreaks, much1903like containing an almost invisible fire. We are emergency responders,1904and our strategies are practiced but modified to reflect the specific1905situation in front of us. State and Federal partners work side by side1906and decisions are made in unified command. Like fighting fire, our1907actions like euthanizing entire flocks or halting movement needed to1908maintain business, can be devastating to some, but are necessary to1909minimize the negative impacts on all the nation's herds or flocks.1910    Continuing the analogy, the National Animal Health Laboratory1911Network exists to detect new pathogens that threaten our food system,1912animal health, or public health. It is like the ``smoke detector'' that1913alerts all potentially impacted animal owners and first responders to a1914problem early enough to reduce losses. This critical detection system1915also accurately tells us field responders ``what is in front of us'' so1916we can modify our strategy.1917    That brings me to my first point. We as a nation and as farmers and1918ranchers need the ``smoke detector'' so that even if the ``fire1919department'' is delayed or overwhelmed, we know there is a problem and1920can act to protect our employees and animals.1921    This also brings me to my second point. Given the weight of1922regulatory response decisions, testing must be accurate, consistent,1923and timely. That means we must have a Laboratory Network with surge1924capacity, consistent methods, and robust quality control at all member1925labs. The test results must stand up to scrutiny.1926    For example, last winter we were challenged in California with over1927760 H5N1 infected dairies and 68 poultry outbreak control zones.1928Normally our CA Lab tests about 450 samples/month for influenza. At the1929peak of this recent outbreak, the sample load was 12,000 samples/month,1930which is more than 25 times the normal workload.1931    Over those 4 months, the Lab Network deployed pairs of technicians1932from other labs to California to help with testing. Because these1933technicians performed the same test on the same equipment using the1934same SOP at their home lab, they were able to immediately expand our1935lab capacity. At the height of the outbreak, besides fully utilizing1936the CA Lab, Network Labs in seven other states received, processed, and1937electronically reported, accurate, almost real-time results.1938    My last point is more specific to our way out of the current H5N11939outbreak. I believe we must sustain three concerted efforts, and if1940even one is neglected, the other two will fail.19411942  1.  On-going testing. Through active surveillance we will detect1943            mutations and exposure levels or ``prevalence'' so we can1944            take informed actions to protect animals and people. Note1945            that Network laboratories have provided over a million test1946            results nationwide in response to the current outbreak. But1947            as I just alluded, testing alone will not make a virus1948            ``disappear'' or get us out of this outbreak.19491950  2.  Biosecurity is also needed, meaning actions like movement1951            control, traffic control, PPE, sanitation, and1952            decontamination. When viral load in the environment is1953            below a certain threshold, we know that biosecurity is by1954            far the best tool for preventing disease. But I have seen1955            time and time again that even the best farm biosecurity1956            will be overwhelmed if there is too much virus being1957            produced by surrounding poultry, wild birds, cows, etc. So1958            again, biosecurity alone will not work if environmental1959            viral load is not managed.19601961  3.  Bringing us to the third effort--reducing virus in environment--1962            Currently we do this the hard way: by euthanizing infected1963            flocks and by allowing dairy immunity to develop after1964            exposure. Dairy exposure means a huge percent of the herd1965            suffers through bloody, snotty noses; aborted pregnancies;1966            no interest in food and water; and udders that dry up. This1967            is not a path most herd managers ever want to travel. And1968            poultry producers now must use biosecurity to defend their1969            flock not only from other infected flocks and wild birds,1970            but also from dairies that may be actively infected for1971            months. Note that of the 17 states with known infected1972            dairy cows, 12 have experienced poultry cases directly from1973            these herds.19741975    I believe we need dairy vaccination in the toolbox yesterday,1976especially for regions currently free from disease. If I were a poultry1977producer, beef producer, swine producer, or dairy producer, I would be1978banging my fist on the table to vaccinate dairy cattle way ahead of1979poultry. If USDA can successfully keep trade doors open when millions1980of dairy cows are actively infected with H5N1, I am confident that they1981can get the job done if we use vaccine selectively to protect these1982girls.1983    Again, thank you for inviting me to be a part of this hearing1984today. This subject is one that is very important to me and I am happy1985to answer any questions you may have.1986    Not in comments, but information to have available:19871988   Annual funding for the NAHLN is about $25M to ensure that 641989        labs across the U.S. have the skills, equipment, capability,1990        and capacity to test for catastrophic diseases. These labs are1991        held to the highest standards to ensure that results stand up1992        to scrutiny and can be relied upon for critical decisions. $25M1993        is a drop in the bucket when you look at the cost of an1994        outbreak.19951996   The current HPAI outbreak has cost USDA almost $2B. Without1997        early disease detection and accurate test results to make rapid1998        decisions, the expense and the toll on animals and people would1999        be much higher. To use the fire analogy, you don't save money2000        by eliminating the smoke detectors--you get bigger and more2001        damaging fires.20022003   An outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) could cost $2002004        billion just to U.S. animal, corn, and soybean agriculture2005        industries. This loss translates into roughly 154,000 jobs over2006        the course of the outbreak. Whatever we can do at the front end2007        to detect disease and implement control strategies as early as2008        possible is worth it. FMD modeling and planning clearly points2009        out the need for the NAHLN and vaccination.20102011   NAHLN exists to provide nationwide surge capacity for2012        livestock and poultry outbreaks, and to ensure accurate,2013        consistent, and timely results from all labs in the system.20142015    The Chairman. Dr. Jones, great. Your time has expired.2016Thank you, all four of our witnesses, for being here this2017morning.2018    At this time, Members will be recognized for questions in2019order of seniority, alternating between Majority and Minority2020Members, and in order of arrival for those who joined us after2021the hearing convened. You will be recognized for 5 minutes each2022in order to allow us to get to as many questions as possible.2023    First, I will recognize myself for 5 minutes.2024    The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan,2025Kansas, is a state-of-the-art facility that will help protect2026the nation's agriculture, farmers, and consumers against the2027threat and potential impacts of serious foreign animal health2028diseases. NBAF has Biosafety Levels 2, 3, and 4 Laboratories,2029allowing them to study and diagnose the most consequential2030animal pathogens. NBAF plays a critical role in our animal2031disease preparedness and management and is an important partner2032to the NAHLN system.2033    Dr. Retallick, how does Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic2034Laboratory collaborate with NBAF? And how will each of your2035operations supplement one another?2036    Dr. Retallick. We are excited to have NBAF as our neighbor2037in Manhattan, Kansas. And so, NBAF has multiple missions. One2038of those is research, and one of those is service, which is the2039NAHLN FADDL lab that was discussed. And so the NAHLN being a2040network, our interaction with them through the NAHLN and2041confirmatory testing is going to be the same as all of the2042NAHLN laboratories for that.2043    The other thing that you might see us assist in NBAF is2044training the future technicians for them. Often, entry level2045will come in, we will train, and they may go to work at NBAF.2046But ultimately, the collaboration will be very similar among2047all of the state laboratories with NBAF being our parent lab2048and our confirmatory testing place.2049    The Chairman. Great, thank you. Next question, the2050detection of the New World screwworm in Mexico is a huge threat2051to our domestic cattle producers. USDA estimates that a2052contemporary outbreak in Texas alone would cost producers $7322053million per year. To expand those results to the states within2054the historic range of the New World screwworm pre-eradication,2055a contemporary outbreak would cost producers as much as $4.32056billion per year and cause a total economic loss of over $102057billion. These are not losses our producers or our economy can2058afford.2059    Again for you, Dr. Retallick, surveillance and testing2060capacity was critical to eradicating this pest back in the20611960s. How are the NAHLN laboratories involved in preventing2062the spread of the screwworm? And what role would they play if2063the pest were to reach our shores?2064    Dr. Retallick. So as stated earlier, the NAHLN labs, many2065of them are universities and state departments of ag, which2066have specialists. These specialists are highly trained to2067recognize diseases and new disease threats. At KVDL, like many2068of the other labs in the network, we have parasitologists and2069pathologists on staff that have already gone through training2070to recognize this, and so we will recognize through there.2071    The NAHLN also is discussing it in its weekly calls,2072updating us, and providing training. And in addition, with the2073caseload that comes through these diagnostic laboratories in2074the states, we see all sorts of things and animals for2075disposal, allowing us a large caseload to surveil coming in2076through routine testing.2077    The Chairman. Great. And a final question will be for you,2078Dr. Main. Two weeks ago, the One Big Beautiful Bill was signed2079into law. We were able to secure historic investments to2080modernize the farm safety net, promote ag products overseas,2081increase research and, important to this hearing, shore up our2082animal health tools. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the2083NAHLN system will receive $10 million annually through Fiscal2084Year 2030 on top of existing discretionary spending. At a time2085when foreign animal diseases are threatening our producers on2086all fronts, how will this investment help your lab to prepare2087for and respond to an outbreak?2088    Dr. Main. Well, thank you. It will be of tremendous help, I2089would say, from providing a base of capacity and capability,2090which is principally driven by our people. And that additional2091funding will enable, across the laboratory, to really help2092with, I would say, maintaining adequate preparedness via the2093people in the laboratory.2094    The Chairman. Great. Dr. Hensley, anything to add to that?2095    Dr. Hensley. No, I think that is true. I agree with what2096Dr. Main said really.2097    The Chairman. Okay. Well, I will yield back the balance of2098my time.2099    And next up, I will recognize the gentleman from New York,2100Mr. Riley, for 5 minutes.2101    Mr. Riley. Thank you. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, for2102organizing this really important hearing. And to our witnesses,2103thank you for coming to testify, particularly given the2104extraordinary challenges a lot of you had with traveling here.2105    Dr. Retallick, am I pronouncing that correctly? Is it2106Retallick?2107    Dr. Retallick. Very close. Retallick. Yep.2108    Mr. Riley. Okay. Well, I really appreciated your testimony2109about NAHLN's role in defending our country against2110agroterrorism. Food security is national security. I think that2111has become kind of cliche over time, but it is actually really2112true.2113    And my colleague, Zach Nunn, on the other side of the2114aisle, and I recently introduced bipartisan legislation that2115would crack down on agroterror threats from the Chinese2116Communist Party. Our bill creates new criminal offenses for2117knowingly and recklessly importing high-risk agricultural2118biological agents, and we will have tougher penalties for2119individuals who are doing that when they are tied to foreign2120adversaries. I think this is a really pressing issue that2121demands urgency, particularly in light of--I know you had in2122your written testimony one recent example of this. I was hoping2123you might be able to elaborate a little bit on how NAHLN's labs2124work together to detect and prevent agroterrorist threats and2125what more support you need from us on this Committee to make2126sure we are keeping our food supply safe.2127    Dr. Retallick. Yes, agroterrorism is a significant threat2128to United States agriculture. And so, through the laboratories,2129through NAHLN, NAHLN has weekly calls, and that is with all the2130laboratories, and that is key for communication about what we2131are seeing and what testing needs to be done. We know that a2132way to control an outbreak, per se, from agroterrorism is2133through testing. It is one of those methods. And so the2134coordination through NAHLN with all of the state laboratories2135is vital in protecting or responding to an event of2136agroterrorism very quickly.2137    And so for support, again, you are already on that track2138for us. You have added funding for us to increase our capacity.2139And so that is a critical part for us is maintaining funding or2140increasing funding to help support these laboratories in their2141surveillance for these type of agroterrorism events.2142    Mr. Riley. Thank you. Is anybody else on the panel2143interested in addressing this issue of agroterrorism?2144    Dr. Main. I would just add to Jamie's comments is that the2145NAHLN is a very frontline-facing thing. So, like, just at our2146local laboratory there at Iowa, we have over 2,500 case2147submissions a week coming in from Iowa and from across the2148country that are food animal veterinarians that are working2149with their producers and ranchers about things that don't quite2150look right on their farm. And I think that really provides, as2151Annette mentioned, like that first line of defense of2152identification and early response would be very critical in any2153such endeavor.2154    Mr. Riley. That is really helpful. Thank you.2155    I am honored to represent Cornell University, which, as you2156all know, is home to some of the brightest scientific minds2157working at the Animal Health Diagnostics Center, which is a2158Level 1 NAHLN. I think you mentioned collaboration you all had2159done with the brilliant folks at Cornell. And as all of you2160highlighted in your testimony, the NAHLN program is just so2161important not just for animal health but also food security.2162And we are dealing with grocery prices here, right? Because if2163there are outbreaks, that is going to drive grocery prices.2164    One of the things I would be interested in hearing a little2165bit more about with my limited time is making sure we have the2166workforce and the pipeline of folks coming into these labs. I2167think we are not doing a good enough job in this country making2168sure that STEM education is available in our rural communities,2169and it is something that I want to work on improving. I am just2170curious, with my limited time, and this can be for anybody, how2171do we make sure we have the next generation of veterinarians2172and scientists and lab techs coming to you?2173    Dr. Main. One thing I would mention is that the labs, and2174we are just an example of one, but are very involved in the2175teaching and training of the next generation of veterinarians,2176diagnosticians, and veterinary scientists. And we use this2177flow, this very rich caseload of very real-world stuff that is2178going on out in the country, and we use that as fully2179integrated into the training and teaching the next generations2180of veterinarians, especially food animal interest veterinarians2181from across the country.2182    Mr. Riley. That is great. I appreciate that very much.2183Thank you.2184    The Chairman. Thank you. Next, I recognize the gentleman2185from Wisconsin, Mr. Van Orden, for 5 minutes.2186    Mr. Van Orden. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2187    Dr. Hensley, I just want to say that we prayed for the2188entire State of Texas this morning at the conference. It is2189just devastating. And if there is anything we can do to help,2190please. Losing a child is something I am familiar with, and it2191is horrible. So I want you to know that we are with you here.2192And that is a bipartisan thing.2193    Dr. Hensley. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.2194    Mr. Van Orden. You are welcome, sir.2195    Who is taking the lead tracking this New World screwworm?2196Because it is not just going to have a devastating effect on2197beefers. It is going to ruin the State of Wisconsin's economy2198as far as dairy goes. And so who in this group is actually the2199focal point? I learned in the military that if everybody is in2200charge, no one is, and we need to make sure that someone is.2201    Dr. Hensley. That is a good point. I think right now, of2202course, USDA is the primary agency because they are monitoring2203what is going on in Mexico. Texas Animal Health Commission is2204very involved in Texas working with USDA. We are involved.2205There is a weekly call between Texas Animal Health Commission,2206Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, ourselves, Texas2207Department of State Health Services, and the USDA's Veterinary2208Services staff in Texas. And I think that is very important so2209we are all hearing what the most current information is about2210where that screwworm is and what is potentially being done.2211    Money has been given to Mexico to try to retrofit a fruit2212fly plant down there. That is going to take time. There are2213efforts to start a plant there in Mission at least to be able2214to rear some of the flies that come from Panama for release.2215But all of these things take time. So I think surveillance is2216going to be extremely important, and everybody in the State of2217Texas is going to have to be involved in that.2218    But I think as far as leading the information right now, it2219is USDA and Texas Animal Health Commission. And I think2220everyone so far in the state is working together. Texas A&M2221AgriLife Extension Service has been very involved. We did an2222online talk here a few weeks ago. There were 4,000 people that2223signed up for that to hear what the current status is, what is2224New World Screwworm. We have a population now even of ranchers2225that have no idea. They weren't alive back then.2226    Mr. Van Orden. So, Doctor----2227    Dr. Hensley. Yes.2228    Mr. Van Orden.--hold on a sec here, please. So I am going2229to have USDA and OMB in my office tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock2230if you are around. If they deliver your luggage tonight, that2231would be great. I don't care what you look like. We are from2232Wisconsin. I will give you a Miller Lite at 8:00 in the2233morning. No one cares. So they are going to be in tomorrow2234morning. And again, that is a real invitation if you want to2235come. It is right upstairs here. But what type of relationships2236do you guys have with your foreign counterparts? So, this2237started down south. There is the plant in Panama. There is one2238in Mexico. There is one in actually the State of Georgia. And2239we are going to talk about trying to retrofit these. What type2240of relationships do you guys have with your Mexican2241counterparts and Panamanian counterparts?2242    Dr. Hensley. Okay. Us as a diagnostic lab, we really do not2243have contacts with the Mexican officials.2244    Mr. Van Orden. Would it be helpful for you to do that? And2245can I facilitate that for you?2246    Dr. Hensley. I think where we need to be, we need the2247current information. And whether that is coming from us working2248with the Mexicans or we need to have the current information2249coming from the USDA, and that goes back through the Texas2250Animal Health Commission. To me, that is where we need to be2251sure that everyone there is getting the most current2252information. And I think they have been doing a good job of2253trying to keep us updated on where that screwworm is. Is it2254still moving north----2255    Mr. Van Orden. I think they have a tremendous economic2256incentive to do so because we get a lot of feeder cattle from2257Mexico and that has stopped.2258    Dr. Hensley. Yes.2259    Mr. Van Orden. Right.2260    Dr. Hensley. We have a tremendous incentive to do that.2261    Mr. Van Orden. Yes, sir. Well, with that, I yield back the2262balance of my time. Sorry, before I yield back, I would like to2263get a hold of you later.2264    Dr. Hensley. Yes, sir.2265    Mr. Van Orden. And if anybody else would like to come to2266that meeting tomorrow morning, that is a real offer too. I2267yield back.2268    Dr. Hensley. Thank you.2269    Mr. Van Orden. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2270    The Chairman. The gentleman yields back.2271    I now recognize the gentleman from Iowa, Mr. Feenstra, for22725 minutes.2273    Mr. Feenstra. Thank you, Chairman Mann. Thank you to each2274one of our witnesses, greatly appreciate you here.2275    The National Animal Health Laboratory Network plays a2276critical role in safeguarding animal health, supporting for2277disease surveillance, protecting security of our national food2278supply. This is very critical. We just passed some extra2279dollars in our reconciliation bill, which is wonderful.2280    But Dr. Main, I would like to ask you, so we have these2281dollars, which is wonderful. How does that affect you and your2282lab? But more importantly, what else can we do? I mean, is2283there more, instead of money, policy that we could go down and2284look at? What are your thoughts on that?2285    Dr. Main. Yes, I think the support of the NAHLN program as2286a whole, and then the additional funding that does trickle2287down, essentially, to the member labs, and again, that2288provides, I would say, some base funding to help enhance the2289robustness of human resource-based capabilities that exist at2290these laboratories. And I just can't tell you how important I2291believe that is to be able to support the overall work that the2292lab does.2293    As additional work in Committee, I think what I would2294principally say is, thank you. And like I mentioned in my2295testimony, I think the leadership and support of seeing the2296value in--disease knows no borders across our country, and so2297having that connectivity across states to be able to support as2298a true nation, I just think is really vital. And the NAHLN is2299the key to make that component work.2300    Mr. Feenstra. I want to talk about a couple different2301diseases. Obviously, in my district and around the country,2302high-path avian influenza is so critical and dangerous right2303now. One hundred and eighty million birds have been affected2304and been euthanized, 30 million in Iowa. Dr. Main, Secretary2305Rollins has done a great job putting things together. How do we2306eradicate this? Or how do we get it to where we don't have2307millions of birds still dying? I mean, it seems like we2308understand that this is going to happen. But is there some2309preventative way that we can stop it?2310    Dr. Main. Yes, I think surveillance is key. Biosecurity is2311key. And I think, as you know, there has been a lot of2312discussion about the opportunities for new tools to be in2313place, the immunization. That could be another tool in the2314toolbox that would present as the opportunity for some2315strategic use cases to, for lack of better words, the most2316vulnerable. But obviously, there are lots of sensitivities2317around that, principally because of the impact of vaccination2318can have on international trade. And I know that is an active2319conversation that is occurring amongst poultry producers, dairy2320producers, and then the different segments of the poultry2321industry both by segment of the industry, meaning layer versus2322broiler versus turkey, as well as regions. And I think my only2323encouragement, just a personal opinion would be that anything2324that can be done to help further those conversations because I2325think we are going to need more tools than less, and the2326threats from wildlife are not going to go away.2327    Mr. Feenstra. Nope, that is exactly right. I want to speak2328on how the lab works to prevent and the consequences of African2329swine fever sweeping our nation. I mean, to me, it just worries2330me. And obviously, we just talked about biosecurity. What are2331the broader goals here of the pork sector? I mean, do you see2332anything else from the lab side or anything that we can do to2333make sure that this doesn't hit our swine?2334    Dr. Main. Early detection will be absolutely paramount.2335Early detection will be absolutely paramount. Obviously, the2336labs play a role in that. And then advancing our systems of2337traceability that we have in this country is going to be also2338very critically to be able to track and trace in a modern way.2339And I think there are things afoot that are continuing to move2340that forward. And I think those would be two key things that2341would be critically important, as well as, obviously, the2342tremendous efforts that are happening at the border to mitigate2343entry because that is the biggest win.2344    Mr. Feenstra. Yep. Well, thank you. Thank you for your2345time. I mean, these are two critical situations that all four2346of you are involved in, and I thank you for that.2347    And with that, I yield back.2348    The Chairman. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize2349the gentleman from California, Mr. Gray, for 5 minutes.2350    Mr. Gray. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to our2351witnesses for being here today, appreciate your participation.2352It is certainly nice to see Dr. Jones. Always great to see a2353fellow Californian here in the swamp. And with this humidity2354lately, I am really understanding why they call this place the2355swamp.2356    But I appreciate the opportunity to speak today on the2357vital role of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and2358its role in safeguarding American agriculture. As a2359Representative of the Central Valley in California, a region2360where agriculture couldn't be more important, we certainly know2361firsthand the importance of strong animal health systems.2362    The National Animal Health Laboratory Network is a critical2363piece of America's biosecurity infrastructure, as it serves as2364our early warning system for animal diseases. Our dairy farms,2365poultry producers, livestock operations really form the2366backbone of California's ag economy. And the health of these2367animals is not just a matter of economics, as a major outbreak2368could devastate farms, threaten food security, and certainly2369would collapse local economies and the folks that I represent.2370    NAHLN's surge capacity is very important to a state like2371California. As Dr. Jones mentioned in her testimony,2372California's lab test sample load was 25 times higher than2373normal at the peak of H5N1 outbreak, and NAHLN deployed2374technicians from labs across the country to assist in response2375efforts.2376    The standardization of testing and methodology across2377NAHLN's labs allowed for the immediate expansion of lab2378capacity, meaning efforts to address California's outbreak were2379taking place across seven different states. When a farmer is2380deciding whether to depopulate thousands of birds, this is the2381data he is referencing. Simply put, the values of accurate and2382timely data when you are making potentially business-altering2383decisions is priceless, couldn't be more important. Twenty-five2384million dollars a year is not enough to ensure that 64 labs2385across the country have the tools necessary to protect American2386agriculture.2387    Dr. Jones, in your testimony, you highlight the importance2388of reducing the H5N1 virus in the environment and how the2389current methods of euthanizing infected flocks and promoting2390dairy immunity development through infection are not enough.2391What do you think are the best biosecurity methods dairy and2392poultry farmers should implement to reduce H5N1 presence on2393their farms?2394    Dr. Jones. Okay. That is the most difficult question in the2395world to answer right now because dairy farms in particular are2396very open in states that enjoy good weather. That is why our2397dairies thrive because the weather allows for open barns, which2398means animals move in and out, birds move in and out, so2399biosecurity is difficult.2400    Movement control of cows is extremely important, which is2401why we quarantine our herds in California, as we do in other2402states. But it is also why I mentioned and why immunity is2403really important because basic biosecurity will help stop the2404spread of virus from dairies to other dairies or to poultry,2405but it needs help from the animal's own immune system. So that2406is, again, why I am really encouraging the nation to consider2407having that tool in their toolbox to vaccinate dairy cows.2408    For poultry, biosecurity is a little bit more2409straightforward. They tend to be in more enclosed environments,2410and movement control, wild bird control, et cetera, seems to be2411pretty effective, unless they are drowning in virus in the2412environment around them. Then biosecurity will not work either.2413    Mr. Gray. Thank you.2414    Dr. Jones. But research is really important to understand2415the spread, and there is a lot of research going on nationwide.2416    Mr. Gray. I couldn't agree more. Farmers play a critical2417role in the fabric of disease response as their cooperation and2418early reporting are essential to the rapid containment of2419outbreaks. The labs' work obviously can only be effective if2420they have that trust. I know that livestock producers can be2421wary of working with Federal partners. How do you build and2422maintain good relationships with producers so that that work2423can continue?2424    Dr. Jones. My two favorite questions. Livestock producers2425definitely can be very skeptical of government, so the key is2426to have a relationship, open communication, show them the2427facts, show them the tests, have reliable tests, and share2428information as fast as possible, and involve them in helping2429with best practices for mitigating the effects of the disease.2430So in California, I wouldn't say all the producers love us, but2431we certainly have a very good relationship with them, and they2432are our very most important cooperators and are on our side.2433    Mr. Gray. Thank you. I appreciate that.2434    The Chairman. The gentleman's time has expired.2435    Mr. Gray. Yep. I was going to yield back.2436    The Chairman. Thank you. Next, I recognize the gentleman2437from Indiana, Mr. Baird, for 5 minutes.2438    Mr. Baird. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I thank our2439witnesses for being here.2440    I recognize how important your efforts are in protecting2441our livestock industry, but agriculture in general across our2442country, so I think it is very important. And I was glad to2443hear several of you mentioned that livestock and biological2444security is also food security, and that is very important to2445all of us.2446    And Dr. Jones, it wasn't in your testimony, but I saw the2447figures that I thought were relevant to what we are talking2448about today. There is, what, $25 million? You have down $252449million to 64 labs across the country to maintain the skills,2450equipment, and all that sort of thing, which I think is an2451important factor to keep in mind when you think that HPAI could2452cost the USDA about $2 billion. Foot-and-mouth disease, it2453costs us $200 billion. I am just trying to establish the2454relevance and the importance of what you do around the country.2455    So I would give you the opportunity, Dr. Jones, to2456elaborate because also in your testimony you mentioned that you2457would be asking for dairy cattle to be vaccinated ahead of2458poultry, swine, and beef. So would you care to elaborate on2459that?2460    Dr. Jones. Yes. Well, my intent with that comment is if I2461was a swine producer, I would be asking USDA and my state2462animal health officials and vaccine manufacturers to look into2463vaccinating dairy cows to protect my pigs. I would want those2464dairy cows vaccinated. If I was a beef producer, I would want2465those dairy cows vaccinated. If I was a poultry producer, I2466would want those dairy cows vaccinated because the way that a2467dairy clears virus is living through the infection as it moves2468through the herd. Some of our herds have been under quarantine2469for over 300 days, so that means they are potentially spreading2470virus in the environment that long because we are reducing2471virus in those herds through natural immunity. If we could2472vaccinate them, it would move it faster. The comment on trade2473is the key to that, but we can't have those trade discussions2474if we don't push dairy vaccine a little bit harder.2475    Mr. Baird. That brings up a couple of quick questions. When2476you think about a lot of our swine producers in my area in2477Indiana, we are in confinement units, so you have more2478biocontrol of birds getting into the buildings to a certain2479extent, whereas cattle are the same way, that a lot of them are2480concentrated, the feedlot cattle. But the range cattle, is2481there a difference between the range cattle and the dairy2482cattle because they are confined in most cases? Is there a2483difference there in the spread of disease through birds?2484    Dr. Jones. I think you were asking, is there a difference,2485like does the disease have a preference for dairy versus beef?2486    Mr. Baird. Yes, the beef cow, the cow-calf herds. I mean, I2487am wondering how about that----2488    Dr. Jones. Yes. So there is some breed-specific proclivity2489of the virus, mostly because of the mammary glands, so2490definitely Holsteins and Jerseys seem to be most susceptible to2491this virus. There is no evidence that the virus has been in2492other breeds, for example, typical beef breeds. We have seen it2493in young stock, though. It is in calves, it is in feeder cows,2494but primarily dairy breeds.2495    Mr. Baird. So you probably know Dr. Bret Marsh in Indiana,2496Purdue University, and he is now the Dean of the College of2497Veterinary Medicine.2498    But I would like to give all the others an opportunity to2499just comment on one thing. I could ask questions all the rest2500of the afternoon, but anyway, on the vaccine, your perspective2501on vaccines for any of the species for protecting against HPAI?2502    Dr. Main. I think it needs to be explored. My2503understanding, the technology exists, and the principal barrier2504to move forward is navigating potential impacts on2505international trade.2506    Dr. Hensley. I would agree. From what I know, there are two2507vaccine companies looking at two different vaccines for dairy2508cattle right now, but I think what Annette and Rodger said, we2509do have to look at trade, but we have to weigh that against2510being able to stop this virus in dairy cattle.2511    Mr. Baird. Dr. Retallick, you have 10 seconds.2512    Dr. Retallick. Oh, I am going to agree with my fellow2513witnesses. The impact is on the international trade, and there2514is a lot of research going on in the vaccination area. And so2515as more of those conversations happen, we will develop the2516importance----2517    Mr. Baird. That is one way to end the conversation, I2518guess. Thank you.2519    The Chairman. The gentleman's time has expired.2520    Mr. Baird. And I yield back.2521    The Chairman. Okay. The gentleman yields, I think. And the2522chair now recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr.2523Harris, for 5 minutes.2524    Mr. Harris. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I thank all of you2525on the panel for your time today. And just a couple of2526questions I wanted to toss out here.2527    First, Dr. Retallick, your testimony explains that the2528Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory joined NAHLN Network in25292004, became a Level 2 member in 2016, and advanced to a Level25301 member in 2019. And of course, as we have talked about, Level25311 labs have the highest standards and have the most advanced2532diagnostic capabilities, among other things. So if you could2533take just a moment and explain the process of going from a2534Level 2 member to a Level 1 member.2535    Dr. Retallick. So the NAHLN has a matrix they put out every25362 years for the labs to assess where the lab is on capacity and2537the ability to respond. And in this matrix, there is facility2538requirements, what equipment do you have, what does your2539staffing look like, what outreach are you doing, and what NAHLN2540technical groups are you working with? And so for us, we were2541able to get access to BSL-3 testing facilities, including2542necropsy facilities at Kansas State, increased equipment, and2543got more active and involved in the NAHLN through outreach and2544technical groups. And so with that, we were able to raise to a2545Level 1.2546    Mr. Harris. Great. Well, thank you for sharing that. I2547think it is important that we see as many labs as possible2548continue to advance and move forward to achieve Level 1 status2549in order to best fulfill their purposes.2550    I guess my other question, and I would just toss this out2551to any of you on the panel that would be willing to share, one2552of the roles that all of your labs play is communicating with2553producers about emerging and existing animal health threats.2554How do you go about those educational efforts? And how have you2555been the beneficiary of such efforts? Go down the row if you2556would like.2557    Dr. Retallick. I can start with that one from the KVDL2558perspective. We have webinars we do for clients, quarterly2559newsletters, email lists so if a new disease pops up, we can2560get it out to our clientele and let them know something is2561there. We have veterinarians that attend producer meetings2562around the state, and we also have a field investigation unit.2563And then, being located at the College of Veterinary Medicine,2564the CE events bring in those veterinarians too, and we were2565able to communicate that route with them too. So we have2566several ways to communicate what is going on with our2567producers.2568    Mr. Harris. Okay.2569    Dr. Hensley. Sort of the same thing at TVMDL. We do2570podcasts. We put educational information on our website. We2571have a veterinary services section that we routinely interact2572with veterinarians and producers. We attend producer meetings,2573give presentations there. We work with the AgriLife Extension2574Service to help provide information through that resource. So2575we have a number of outreach efforts that we do to try to get2576information out to producers and veterinarians, of course.2577    Mr. Harris. Okay. Thank you.2578    Dr. Main. Yep. I would just say that our principal focus is2579on educating our veterinarians, the practicing veterinarians,2580and then they, in turn, are working with their producers. And2581so like 98 percent of our caseload is the same, practicing2582veterinarian submitting week after week after week, and so we2583have really great, I would say, close working relationships2584with those veterinarians about what is happening not only with2585their caseload but with the lab more broadly. And then they are2586in turn sharing that with the veterinarians, in addition to2587more traditional partnerships with our extension service.2588    Mr. Harris. Okay. All right.2589    Dr. Jones. Same in California.2590    Mr. Harris. Okay. Great. Well, thank you very much for2591sharing that, and I know that this is important, very important2592way that we are communicating and getting that information out2593there. And indeed, it makes a difference in the entire food2594security of our entire nation, so thank you for all that you2595do.2596    Mr. Chairman, with that, I yield back.2597    The Chairman. The gentleman yields back.2598    I now recognize the gentlewoman from Connecticut, Mrs.2599Hayes, for 5 minutes.2600    Mrs. Hayes. Good morning, and thank you to our witnesses2601for your testimony and for being here today.2602    The National Animal Health Laboratory Network plays a key2603role in protecting food supply chains, identifying disease2604trends, and limiting the spread of infectious disease among2605animals. The network also plays a key role in educating2606producers and the public about potential disease outbreaks.2607    The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory at2608UConn is the only network laboratory in New England serving2609producers in Connecticut and across the region. Each year, the2610lab at UConn--I didn't mention I am from Connecticut--trains2611approximately 40 graduate and undergraduate students and2612provides them with hands-on learning opportunities. The lab has2613identified this as an area for growth where it can develop2614better programming for students to gain real-life experiences.2615    Dr. Jones, UC Davis offers numerous outreach opportunities2616for pre-veterinary students, including summer programs for2617middle school and high school students to learn about the2618field. I am an educator by trade, and I am always thinking2619about pipeline, capacity building, the future, how we engage2620young people much earlier and introduce them to the potential2621of so many careers that are within their grasp. Can you2622describe how your laboratory partners with UC Davis to train2623veterinary students?2624    Dr. Jones. Sure, the animal health lab at Davis not only2625has a lab located at Davis, but they also have lab sites at2626different locations throughout the state, so they are able to2627partner with not only the students there at Davis, but also2628bring them a little bit further down into our Central Valley,2629which is really the heart of agriculture in California, to give2630them a little bit more of a taste of the real world of2631producing food for large groups of people. So that is one of2632the examples of how they interact with the vet school and with2633the undergraduates in high schools.2634    Mrs. Hayes. Can you talk a little bit about how you utilize2635the National Animal Health Laboratory Network to perform2636outreach to students and just, I guess, expose them? Because2637what I have heard, many young people have an idea of what they2638think careers and professions are, but it is not until they2639have some actual practical interaction that they really kind of2640see themselves doing that work.2641    Dr. Jones. A lot of that type of role, if you are talking2642about the laboratory network itself----2643    Mrs. Hayes. Or any network that you use.2644    Dr. Jones. Yes, a lot of that exposure comes through summer2645hires and tours, and it gives students a real flavor for the2646science and technology involved in today's animal health world2647and food safety world.2648    Mrs. Hayes. Dr. Main, I see you nodding your head. Did you2649want to add something?2650    Dr. Main. Yes. So in Iowa, it is very much the--I think it2651is over \1/2\ of the students at Iowa State College of Vet Med2652graduating go into either mixed or large animal practice. And2653the vast majority of those students are not farm kids. They are2654students that are bright, and they could be--through work2655experiences at school, internships, whether in undergraduate2656and externships in veterinary school got turned on to animal2657agriculture and have chosen to make a profession of it.2658    Mrs. Hayes. Thank you. And I appreciate you adding that2659because many of my farmers are telling me their children don't2660want to go into ag-related fields, so we have to be more2661attractive to a broader network of young people in order to2662infuse this pipeline.2663    In 2023, a study by Johns Hopkins University found that the2664number of food animal veterinarians has decreased by 90 percent2665since World War II. Today, less than two percent of2666veterinarians work exclusively with food animals. Outside the2667lab, veterinarians are the first line of defense during a2668disease outbreak, meeting first with impacted farmers and then2669reporting their findings to network labs.2670    Dr. Retallick, in the materials you provided to our2671Committee, you mentioned that the Kansas State Veterinary2672Diagnostic Laboratory experienced a 62 percent faculty turnover2673in 2022. Has your lab worked to address these shortages? And2674what could Congress do to help with that effort?2675    Dr. Retallick. I do think, though, all the labs saw2676shortages in 2022. For us, it was getting in more technicians.2677We developed a technician internship pipeline or program, and2678so we started bringing in those younger generations for2679technicians. We were able to increase our residents. Our2680residents are those trained to be faculty, and so we were able2681to increase our pathology residents. And so, again, we are2682thankful for the support we get through the NAHLN. That does2683help support salaries, and so that investment is going back to2684helping train those technicians with salary support, providing2685the internships, and helping us train future faculty through2686residencies and graduate programs, which is important in2687keeping us staffed.2688    Mrs. Hayes. Thank you. And with that, I yield back and2689thank you for your--oh, hey.2690    Mr. Baird [presiding.] The young lady yields back.2691    Next, we go to the great State of Indiana, Representative2692Messmer.2693    Mr. Messmer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you,2694witnesses, for being here today.2695    With turkey products accounting for nearly \3/4\ of the2696total livestock and animal production in my district, high-path2697influenza remains a major threat. Thanks to the outstanding2698efforts of Purdue's Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and2699on-farm biosecurity measures, my district avoided an outbreak2700this year. But even without a confirmed case, our farmers are2701daily in contact with Purdue ADDL. As the only NAHLN lab in the2702state, Purdue ran more than 11,000 avian flu tests in the first27032 months of this year alone.2704    Dr. Main and Dr. Retallick, each of your labs also serve as2705the only NAHLN facility in your state. Given the strains ag2706states of our size can put on a singular facility, how2707important is it that our labs are well staffed and equipped2708with state-of-the-art technology?2709    Dr. Retallick. It is very important that we are very well2710staffed. We watch our molecular sections. NAHLN is primarily2711molecular tests, and so making sure we are rapid on keeping2712those staffs. We also have on-call for those sections. And2713then, so, yep, it is important to make sure that we stay2714staffed. And the equipment that we get through the NAHLN2715funding helps us when we can add equipment or replace aging2716equipment. That serves to increase our capacity also.2717    Dr. Main. And I would just echo that, is that it has been2718very important to us as the State of Iowa to have a robust,2719state-of-the-art, food-animal-centered veterinary diagnostic2720laboratory to support Iowa and then broader U.S. animal2721agriculture. And so we have been very blessed in that way. And2722it is being leveraged in that we kind of function as an2723extension of the practitioners and veterinary practices that we2724serve. And I think it is that day-to-day--we are essentially an2725extension of their business as a trusted partner, and we think2726those relationships that we use day-to-day are leveraged2727greatly when you get into times of crisis.2728    Mr. Messmer. Thank you. For the purpose of bringing funding2729into perspective, would each of you share how much Federal2730funding your facility receives compared to the value of the2731livestock industry your lab protects?2732    Dr. Retallick. For the State of Kansas, for the Level 1,2733the annual infrastructure is approximately $250,000. The Kansas2734livestock is $12.9 billion. We do receive many years'2735supplemental funding also in addition, but it is primarily that2736infrastructure $250,000 from the NAHLN as a Level 1 laboratory.2737    Dr. Main. Same here as the $250,000 in Iowa would be about2738$35 billion.2739    Dr. Hensley. Same here.2740    Mr. Messmer. Excellent. Well, each year, animal product2741sales in Indiana totaled more than $3.5 billion. And based on2742your responses, I think it is safe to say the investments H.R.27431 included for NAHLN will be paid back in spades, so thank you2744for that.2745    Also, last Tuesday, Secretary Rollins issued a National2746Farm Security Action Plan. The plan highlights the importance2747of addressing biosecurity threats from our foreign adversaries.2748    Dr. Retallick, in your opinion, is NAHLN currently equipped2749to handle major bioterrorism? And if not, what do we need to do2750to make our nation and our ag system protected?2751    Dr. Retallick. Again, a key part of NAHLN is that2752communication among the 64 laboratories. It provides that2753robust network, which is that first line of defense. And so I2754believe the NAHLN is very well equipped to respond. Capacity2755can always be increased and improved and efficiency, and so any2756funding that can help with salaries and equipment to increase2757that capacity for the labs is always going to be beneficial in2758an instance like that.2759    Dr. Main. Because one of the things when it is an early2760detection system, but then it is also going back to the need2761for laboratory capacity that, again, knows no boundaries within2762the U.S. is very important, especially when you are getting2763into multifocal incidences. And the vast majority of the2764testing involved is demonstrating where the disease or2765incursion is not to be able to maintain continuity of business2766outside of the pinpoint of this is infected. But proving where2767it is not is far greater than 95 percent of all the testing2768that has happened.2769    Mr. Messmer. Thank you for all of your answers, and I yield2770back my time.2771    Mr. Baird. Thank you. The gentleman yields back.2772    Our Chairman had to go vote in another committee, so he has2773asked me to share with you some of his closing remarks, the2774first being how much we appreciate all of you taking the time2775out of your schedules to be here because we think this is an2776important aspect of agriculture and food security.2777    But anyway, he says today's hearing provided the perfect2778opportunity to highlight the critical work undertaken each and2779every day by the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.2780NAHLN's system is a shining example of what Federal, state, and2781local collaboration looks like when it is done correctly. And2782the work of NAHLN's laboratory is absolutely critical to2783protecting our domestic animal supply, our producers, and2784national security.2785    So to our witnesses, thank you for being here, for walking2786us through the day-to-day operations of NAHLN laboratories and2787explaining the detailed diagnostic testing you and your2788colleague do and answering our questions about a whole host of2789foreign animal diseases. Your testimony and expertise have been2790invaluable. So we look forward to continuing to work with you2791all on the animal health issues for the 119th Congress and for2792the years to come.2793    Thank you, and this hearing is adjourned.2794    [Whereupon, at 11:22 a.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]2795    [Material submitted for inclusion in the record follows:]2796                          Submitted Questions2797Questions Submitted by Hon. Mary E. Miller, a Representative in2798        Congress from Illinois2799Response from Rodger G. Main, D.V.M., Ph.D., Professor and Director,2800        Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Veterinary and2801        Diagnostic Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State2802        University2803    Question 1. Dr. Main, the NAHLN system relies on both Level 1 and2804Level 2 laboratories. Can you speak to how Level 2 labs--like the one2805at University of Illinois, Urbana--support national disease response2806when Level 1 capacity is maxed out?2807    Answer. All labs in the NAHLN play a significant role in supporting2808the efforts of the network as a whole and most notably in supporting2809the disease surveillance response efforts in support of the needs of2810their local state or region.2811    While the size, scope, and composition of the routine (day to day)2812clientele and caseload varies significantly among labs in the NAHLN;2813each the participating labs are well suited to provide the quality2814assured diagnostic testing of which they are certified to conduct. The2815certifications pursued tend to be based upon the needs of the2816respective lab's routine client base being served and can be expanded2817in a time of national need.2818    The primary differences between Level 1 and Level 2 labs are2819principally differentiated by the degree of laboratory infrastructure2820present, size of the lab, and overall lab capacity or breath of NAHLN2821scope related testing conducted at the lab.28222823    Question 2. Could you share an example of a recent outbreak where2824Level 2 labs made a significant impact in supporting the overall2825national response? And more specifically, how does your lab at Iowa2826State coordinate with Level 2 partners like Illinois to ensure a2827strong, regional approach to testing and containment?2828    Answer. All of the Level 1 and Level 2 VDLs in the NAHLN are2829certified to Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) PCR testing. AIV PCR is the2830core testing being used in support of the response to the High-Path2831Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak that has impacted U.S. poultry, egg,2832and dairy producers over the course of the past 2 years. Thus, many2833Level 1 and Level 2 NAHLN labs across the country have been actively2834engaged in the recent HPAIV Response.2835    Our lab here in Iowa participates in the weekly calls hosted by the2836USDA NAHLN Program Coordinator that includes representation of the2837leadership of all of the VDL's in the NAHLN.2838    These weekly forums provide an excellent means and venue not only2839for information sharing from the NAHLN Program Office to the2840participating VDLs; but also for peer-to-peer VDL sharing of best2841practices and their local (regional) experiences. The USDA NAHLN2842Program Coordinators do an excellent job in ensuring the experiences2843and lessons being learned ``on the ground'' in the participating labs2844are well understood by their peers in the spirit helping to drive the2845continuous improvement of the network over time.2846    The leadership of the labs across the NAHLN is reasonably small2847community of veterinary diagnostic laboratory professionals nested with2848the respective VDLs across the country. The weekly forums hosted by the2849NAHLN as well as the continuing education related forums hosted by the2850American Association of Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) create an2851environment where there are many opportunities for peer-to-peer2852learning and sharing of best practices among labs across the network.28532854    Question 3. Are there any lessons from COVID-19 or recent livestock2855disease outbreaks--such as ASF--that Congress should consider when2856reauthorizing or expanding funding for NAHLN? Particularly in ways that2857would strengthen the capacity, integration, and infrastructure of Level28582 laboratories?2859    Answer. As I mentioned in my testimony, I believe the NAHLN is an2860exemplary example of a highly functional and effective partnership2861among Federal, state, university, and industry partners.2862    The NAHLN delivers a national standard of best-in-class veterinary2863diagnostic technologies, testing capabilities, and coordination of2864information among the Federal, state, and private-sector (practicing)2865veterinarians from across the U.S. who are responsible for surveilling2866and responding to animal health emergencies of high consequence to U.S.2867animal agriculture.2868    The power and cost effectiveness of the NAHLN comes via the2869distributed nature its design in which a comparatively modest amount of2870Federal coordination and investment leverages the substantive2871veterinary diagnostic laboratory infrastructure, subject matter2872expertise, quality assured laboratory testing capabilities, research2873scientists, and the direct connectivity to the frontlines of U.S.2874animal agriculture that exists at the university and state veterinary2875diagnostic labs across the country. A true a true win-win-win--for U.S.2876animal health and public health; for U.S. agriculture more broadly; and2877for enhancing the security, safety, and affordability of our nation's2878food supply.2879    A partnership in which I believe to be working well in utilizing2880the capabilities of NAHLN labs irrespective of Level 1 or Level 2.2881    A recent example of a lesson learned via the recent HPAIV response2882was that samples without the need for same day testing in California2883were diverted via overnight shipment for next day testing at other2884NAHLN labs throughout the country (e.g., the Iowa State University2885Veterinary Diagnostic Lab as being one example). This strategy that2886involved diverting samples to peer laboratories (due to the local NAHLN2887laboratory being overwhelmed) in a time of need was extraordinarily2888effective, broadly sustainable, highly scalable, and brings with it a2889rather extraordinary magnitude of testing capacity that resides across2890the network.28912892                                [all]