Kaptur, Finstad, Davis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect US Pork Producers from Animal Disease

October 28, 2026 Press Release Toledo, OH — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) introduced H.R. 10911 , the US Swine Health Improvement Plan Act alongside Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Congressman Don Davis (NC-01). The legislation is also cosponsored by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02). This bipartisan bill would formally establish a voluntary US Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulatory program to be known as the US Swine Health Improvement Plan (US SHIP) to certify that herds at pork farms and pig breeding facilities across the country meet strong health standards. The goal is to prevent, detect, and respond to animal diseases such as African Swine Fever and Classical Swine Fever, which have appeared in recent years in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. “With this legislation, we are supporting our Nation’s agricultural trade economy and helping to protect animal health, public health, and the security of our food supply by preventing future animal disease outbreaks,” said Congresswoman Kaptur (OH-09), a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture. “We are also helping US pork producers reach international markets, and, most importantly, we are protecting the economic livelihood of family farms, including those I represent across Northwest Ohio.” “I’m proud to represent one of the top pork-producing congressional districts in the country,” said Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), member of the House Agriculture Committee. “This critical, bipartisan legislation to formally establish the US Swine Health Improvement Plan will ensure our pork producers in southern Minnesota and across the country have the support and resources they need to prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I remain committed to ensuring our farmers and producers have the tools they need to succeed.” “North Carolina is the third-largest hog-producing state in the country. Our swine industry is a large part of the state’s agricultural economy and food supply," said Congressman Don Davis (NC-01), member of the House Agriculture Committee. "A voluntary US Department of Agriculture framework for animal disease monitoring and herd health certification can help farmers and allow for a more timely response to disease outbreaks in order to protect our economy and food supply." This House bill complements a Senate measure, S. 4893 , introduced earlier this year by Senator Jon Husted of Ohio and builds on a pilot program the swine industry launched several years ago with USDA funding and State animal health officials’ support. The program follows the model of the National Poultry Improvement Plan , which has protected the poultry industry for more than 90 years from diseases such as avian influenza or the bird flu that affected Ohio in late 2024 and 2025. Today, 38 States take part in this voluntary swine health improvement pilot program. The legislation would formally authorize the program in Federal law, set funding levels for it over the next five years, and direct USDA to establish an advisory committee to recommend how the program should be administered. The advisory committee would also study broader swine health challenges and recommend how the Federal Government can help the swine industry and States respond when problems arise. By strengthening and expanding the piloted US Swine Health Improvement Plan , Congress can help swine facilities obtain health certifications and improve the marketability of domestic pork products. The legislation is supported by the Ohio Pork Council , whose representatives recently met with Congresswoman Kaptur to discuss the importance of preventing animal disease outbreaks and the success of the pilot program, and by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). “On our farms, protecting pig health is a responsibility we take seriously every day,” said Jarred Black, Ohio pork producer and Ohio Pork Council President. “Disease preparedness also requires coordination across farms, state lines, and government agencies. Establishing permanent authority for US SHIP would strengthen that partnership. We thank Congresswoman Kaptur for helping move this producer priority forward.” “Funding and formalizing the US Swine Health Improvement Plan are key to strengthening the health of our Nation’s swine herd,” said Pat Hord, NPPC President-elect and Ohio pork producer from Bucyrus, Ohio. “A formal advisory committee will help ensure that producer and industry expertise inform US SHIP’s implementation and continued improvement, supporting a science-based approach to disease prevention and animal health. We appreciate Representatives Kaptur, Finstad, and Davis for recognizing the value of collaboration between producers and the federal government in protecting the future of American family farms and pork production.” Ohio’s 9 th Congressional District ranks in the top sixth of all Congressional districts nationwide in hog and pig sales value, totaling more than $37 Million across 139 farms. More broadly, the legislation supports Ohio’s approximately 2,500 pig farmers who raise pigs on more than 3,500 farms statewide. Many of these are family farms in Northwest Ohio, including the Vennekotter family farms that Congresswoman Kaptur visited last week in Putnam County. Congresswoman Kaptur is working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to include this legislation in any final Farm Bill that may be negotiated and passed by the end of the year. She also supports a pending rulemaking proposed by USDA to formalize the program in Federal regulations, which the legislation she has introduced would require be done by the Administration within one year. A full copy of the bill text can be found by clicking here . # # # Issues : Trade Jobs and the Economy