The latest proposal of the Farm Bill, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) underwent markup on March 4, sustaining extensive amendments and passing out of the House Agriculture Committee by a 34-17 vote, its first substantial step towards enactment since 2018. The bill now awaits calendaring for a vote on the House Floor to advance on to the Senate for consideration. Like the original legislation, this iteration includes several key provisions addressing invasive species in the United States.

Executive Summary

Invasive species represent a significant threat to U.S. agricultural productivity, environmental stability, and national food security. The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) includes provisions aimed at managing invasive species—most notably through the expansion of federal programs targeting feral swine and through research initiatives focused on invasive agricultural pests.

The bill’s primary invasive species policy is the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Program, established under Section 2402 of the legislation, which amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to create a coordinated federal program for managing feral swine populations. The bill also extends agricultural research programs that contribute to invasive pest management, including federal support for pest management policy and agricultural research institutions.

While these provisions strengthen federal response capacity, they focus largely on post-introduction management rather than prevention, leaving important policy gaps in early detection and biosecurity. Strengthening invasive species prevention, expanding monitoring systems, and improving coordination between federal and state agencies would significantly improve the effectiveness of these policies.

Background

Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause ecological or economic harm in the environments they colonize. In the United States, invasive plants, animals, and pathogens threaten agricultural production, biodiversity, and natural ecosystems.

Among invasive species affecting agriculture, feral swine (Sus scrofa) represent one of the most damaging invasive mammals in North America. Their populations have expanded across the country, now occurring in at least 35 states.

These animals cause extensive economic damage by destroying crops, damaging irrigation infrastructure, and spreading diseases to livestock. Annual damages and control costs associated with feral swine are estimated at $1.5–$2.5 billion nationwide, with hundreds of millions of dollars in agricultural losses each year.

Beyond agriculture, invasive species threaten biodiversity and ecosystem health. Feral swine disturb soil through rooting behavior, destroy vegetation, contaminate water sources, and spread parasites and diseases that affect wildlife, livestock, and humans.

Given these impacts, federal agricultural legislation has increasingly incorporated invasive species management programs, particularly through the farm bill framework:

1. Feral Swine Eradication and Control Program

The most significant invasive species provision in the bill is located in Section 2402, titled Feral Swine Eradication and Control Program. This section amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish Section 1240N, which creates a coordinated federal program for controlling invasive feral swine populations.

Under Section 1240N(a), the Secretary of Agriculture must establish a program “to respond to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health.”

The legislation outlines several specific responsibilities for the Secretary of Agriculture under Section 1240N(b), including:

• Assessing the extent of damage caused by feral swine in threatened areas
  
• Developing eradication and population control methods
  
• Restoring ecosystems and farmland damaged by swine activity
  
• Providing financial assistance to agricultural producers affected by swine damage.
  

The bill defines a “threatened area” in Section 1240N(f) as any region in which feral swine pose a risk to agriculture, ecosystems, or public health.

Funding Structure

The legislation provides mandatory funding through the Commodity Credit Corporation to support the program. Under Section 1240N(g), the bill allocates $150 million for fiscal years 2025–2031 for feral swine management activities.

Funding is divided between two major USDA agencies:

• 40 percent allocated to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for on-farm mitigation and trapping programs
  
• 60 percent allocated to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for large-scale population control methods and technological innovations.
  

The federal government may cover up to 75 percent of program costs, while non-federal partners – including farmers, states, and conservation organizations – provide the remaining funding through direct or in-kind contributions (Section 1240N(e)).

Institutional Coordination

The legislation requires coordination between NRCS and APHIS through state technical committees and directs the agencies to collaborate with land-grant universities (Section 1240N(h)).

These partnerships are intended to improve data collection, evaluate program effectiveness, and develop new control technologies.

2. Agricultural Research and Pest Management Programs

In addition to the feral swine program, the bill extends several agricultural research initiatives that contribute to invasive species management. For example:

• Section 7308 extends funding for the USDA Office of Pest Management Policy, which supports research and policy coordination related to agricultural pests.
  
• Section 7307 extends funding for the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database Program, which supports research on livestock health and agricultural safety issues that can intersect with invasive pest and disease management.
  

Although these programs are not exclusively focused on invasive species, they support the scientific infrastructure necessary for developing integrated pest management strategies and monitoring emerging invasive threats.

Analysis

1. Strengths

Significant Investment in Control Programs

The bill provides dedicated federal funding for invasive species management through the feral swine eradication program. This funding supports both field operations and research into new technologies such as advanced trapping systems and population-reduction strategies.

Interagency Collaboration

By requiring coordination between NRCS, APHIS, and land-grant universities, the legislation encourages collaboration between federal agencies, researchers, and agricultural producers. Such coordination is essential for large-scale invasive species management.

Science-Based Management

The bill emphasizes data collection, research partnerships, and technological innovation. These elements can improve understanding of invasive species dynamics and lead to more effective control methods.

2. Limitations

Limited Focus on Prevention

The legislation focuses primarily on managing invasive species after they have already established populations. Prevention strategies – such as stricter import inspections, early detection and rapid response (EDRR) systems, and quarantine protocols – receive relatively little attention.

Narrow Species Focus

Although the bill addresses feral swine extensively, it provides fewer direct management programs for other invasive species that threaten agriculture, such as invasive insects and plant pathogens.

Implementation Challenges

Feral swine populations reproduce rapidly and occupy diverse habitats, making eradication difficult. Without sustained funding and coordination, population control efforts may only produce temporary reductions.

Recommendations

NAISMA supports passage of the Farm Bill in its current form, and encourages standalone bills to strengthen the invasive species provisions of H.R. 7567. Policymakers should consider the following actions:

1. Expand Prevention and Biosecurity Programs

Preventing invasive species introductions, when feasible, is significantly more cost-effective than eradicating new infestations or controlling established populations. Congress should increase funding for USDA inspection and quarantine programs, particularly the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program, which prevents the import of invasive plants and plant pests.

2. Develop an Integration Plan for National EDRR Systems

The federal government should create a nationwide monitoring network that integrates federal agencies, state governments, and academic institutions. Early detection systems using remote sensing, environmental DNA monitoring, and citizen reporting tools could allow rapid response to new invasive species outbreaks between a wider range of federal agencies as well as state systems and research institutions.

3. Expand Federal Support for State Rapid-Response Programs

State agencies often detect invasive species first but may lack funding to respond quickly. Expanded and more rapid administration of federal grants could support state-level eradication teams and monitoring systems.

4. Integrate Invasive Species Management into Conservation Programs

Existing conservation programs such as habitat restoration initiatives and watershed protection projects should incorporate invasive species monitoring and control measures.

5. Increase Long-Term Research Funding

The federal government should expand funding for biological control research, genetic technologies, and ecosystem restoration strategies. Investments in innovative tools could significantly improve long-term invasive species management.

Conclusion

The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) includes several important provisions addressing invasive species threats to U.S. agriculture. The legislation’s most significant measure, the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Program established in Section 2402, provides substantial funding for federal and state efforts to manage invasive feral swine populations.

However, the bill primarily emphasizes control and mitigation rather than prevention, leaving gaps in early detection and biosecurity policy. Strengthening prevention programs, expanding research investment, and improving federal-state coordination would significantly enhance the United States’ ability to manage invasive species and protect agricultural productivity.

References

U.S. Congress. (2026). Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567). Section 2402; Sections 7307–7308.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. Feral Swine: Ripping and Rooting Their Way Across America.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Feral Swine Damage and Research Programs.

USDA National Wildlife Research Center. Economic Impacts of Feral Swine in the United States.

AGDAILY. Feral swine cost U.S. agriculture billions annually.