WASHINGTON, DC – The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a hearing Tuesday focusing on the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, or NAHLN. Subcommittee Chair Tracey Mann of Kansas highlighted the importance of this network in detecting and responding to foreign animal disease threats. Since its launch in 2002 with 12 labs, NAHLN has expanded to over 60 facilities across the U.S., including the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.
Panelists described how NAHLN supports detection of high-risk outbreaks like avian flu, screwworm, and African swine fever, and how labs are working with USDA’s new Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas. Mann also noted the recent passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which allocates $10 million annually for NAHLN, on top of existing funds. The total $233 million in new animal health resources will support diagnostics, research, and disease surveillance nationwide.
The hearing underscored growing concern over livestock disease preparedness and the importance of continued funding to protect U.S. herds and flocks.