SAFE Act of 2025
SAFE Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# SAFE Act of 2025 Summary **What it does:** The SAFE Act would allow the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work out trade agreements *before* animal disease outbreaks happen. These agreements would let the U.S. continue exporting meat and livestock to other countries even when disease affects certain regions, as long as unaffected areas can prove they're disease-free.
For example, if avian flu broke out in one state, other states could still export poultry if they met the agreement's standards. **Who it affects:** American farmers and ranchers who export livestock and meat products would benefit most, as would food exporters and related industries. International trading partners would also be involved in negotiating these agreements. Consumers could see broader availability of American meat products in export markets. **Key provisions:** The bill gives Agriculture Department agencies (including the USDA's animal health and food safety divisions, plus the trade representative's office) authority to negotiate these agreements in advance. Agreements would focus on "regionalization" or "zoning"—essentially creating trade zones based on disease status—and would incorporate the latest scientific research on disease control. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
Safe American Food Exports Act of 2025 or the SAFE Act of 2025This bill provides statutory authority for the Department of Agriculture to negotiate in advance for regional export ban agreements for known animal disease threats that apply only to areas affected by animal disease outbreaks to enable the continuation of exports from areas not affected by an outbreak.The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, and the Foreign Agricultural Service, in consultation with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, may negotiate the regionalization, zoning, compartmentalization, and other agreements regarding outbreaks of known animal disease threats of trade significance with countries with export markets for livestock animals or animal products from the United States.The bill also specifies that such a negotiation should seek to take into account accepted global research advances.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.