Feral Swine Eradication Act
This bill, titled the Feral Swine Eradication Act, would reauthorize and broaden the federal effort to eradicate and control feral swine that threaten agriculture, ecosystems, or health. It removes the word “pilot” from the program, effectively converting the previous pilot initiative into a full, ongoing program under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The bill defines “eligible areas” where feral swine pose threats and requires ongoing monitoring for a year after eradication in those areas. It authorizes funding for the program through fiscal years 2025–2030 and creates formal reporting requirements to Congress and the public, detailing progress, funding use, and program effectiveness. In short, the bill aims to expand, standardize, and publicly document federal feral swine eradication efforts across designated eligible areas.
Key Points
- 1Renames the federal effort from a “pilot program” to a permanent “program” and defines eligible areas where feral swine pose threats to agriculture, ecosystems, or health, as determined by the Secretary.
- 2Adds a post-eradication monitoring requirement: after eradication in an eligible area, APHIS and NRCS must continue monitoring that area for one year.
- 3Authorizes a total of $75 million for the program for fiscal years 2025 through 2030, and adjusts certain funding/coverage mechanics (specific changes to how counties or funding allocations are determined within the program).
- 4Establishes federal reporting requirements: within 2 years and again within 4 years and 6 months after enactment, APHIS and NRCS must jointly report to Congress and publicly post findings on the program’s activities, outcomes, funding use, and evaluations of success, plus recommended improvements.
- 5Updates the program’s formal framework by amending the table of contents and section language to reflect the program (not the pilot) and to align with revised eligibility and monitoring provisions.