Tick-Borne Disease Research Bill Supports Ranchers

By Blake Jackson

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), along with Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Jim Justice (R-WV), has introduced the Emerging Tick-Borne Livestock Disease Research Prioritization Act to increase federal research efforts focused on tick-related diseases affecting livestock.

The proposed legislation would officially recognize tick-borne livestock diseases as a high-priority research area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

It would allow USDA to provide competitive grants through existing research programs aimed at developing vaccines, treatments, and other solutions for livestock diseases linked to ticks, particularly those associated with the Asian Longhorned Tick, where approved vaccines and treatments remain limited.

“Missouri is one of the nation’s leaders in livestock production, and our farmers and ranchers work too hard to have their livelihoods threatened by emerging tick-borne diseases. Invasive species like the Asian Longhorned Tick pose a growing risk to our livestock industry and the families who depend on it," said Senator Schmitt.

"By elevating the need for critical research into tick-borne livestock disease, we’re helping ensure producers have the tools they need to protect their herds, strengthen our food supply, and keep America’s agriculture industry competitive. I’ll keep working with Missouri’s farm families to protect for the Show-Me State’s number one economic driver.”

“Cattle producers are not short on issues impacting their industry right now. The national cattle herd size is the lowest it’s been in 75 years, and with emerging threats like Asian Longhorned Ticks and New World Screwworm, the industry is under even more pressure," said Senator Jim Justice.

"USDA needs to do everything they can to help find ways to combat vector-borne diseases and other threats to livestock, and this bill makes it a priority for them.”

Mike Deering of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association said producers need research-driven solutions to address losses caused by the Asian Longhorned Tick.

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