ASI Joins Request to Fund Animal Sciences

ASI Joins Request to Fund Animal Sciences

The American Sheep Industry Association joined 85 other national and state associations in requesting support for $10 million in appropriations for Section 1433 Continuing Animal Health and Disease, Food Security and Stewardship Research, Education and Extension Programs in the fiscal year 2016 Agriculture Appropriations bill. 

The 2014 Farm Bill includes an important expansion of Section 1433 to establish a new competitive research grants mechanism to address critical priorities in food security, one health and stewardship. The expanded authority came in response to a historic funding disparity for the animal sciences and represents a strong opportunity to address significant challenges facing animal agriculture.
 
Investment in the animal sciences has been declining for many years as was highlighted by the National Academy of Sciences in its report “Critical Role of Animal Science Research in Food Security and Sustainability” that was released in January 2015. The report recognizes the historic underfunding of animal sciences and calls for increased investments. 

 As the world’s population grows and natural resources become limited, animal agriculture research is necessary to improve efficiency in order to continue providing safe and abundant food supplies for the growing global community. It is imperative that the increased food production be done in a manner that will protect our natural resources while maintaining America’s global competitiveness in producing animals and animal products. 
 
Skip to content