$35M available to partnerships in several states for response to feral swine threat

U.S. Department of Agriculture is making $35 million available for partnerships for response to the feral swine threat to agriculture, landscapes and human and livestock health in several states.

This opportunity is part of a broader $105 million investment for the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, in which the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are working together to target feral swine.

“We are collaborating with our partners at [U.S. Department of Agriculture] and across the country to help combat feral swine and keep our farms, ranches and landscapes safe,” said Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Colton Buckley in a department release. “These invasive species cause more than $3.4 billion in damage each year, including damage to agricultural landscapes.”

Partners are invited to apply for feral swine eradication and control projects in these states:

• Alabama.
• Arkansas.
• California.
• Florida.
• Georgia.
• Hawai‘i.
• Louisiana.
• Mississippi.
• Missouri.
• North Carolina.
• Oklahoma.
• South Carolina.
• Tennessee.
• Texas.

Application deadline is Sept. 21.

Feral swine can have significant negative impacts on plant and wildlife habitats, soils, water quality as well as other natural resources. Livestock and humans also are susceptible to diseases carried by feral swine.

Partners selected to participate in the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program will provide landowner assistance for restoration and on-farm trapping efforts and related services such as training. Funding for these services will be provided through grant agreements between partners and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

All projects will be a collaborative and coordinated effort among the selected partner, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Visit the notice of funding at Grants.gov for additional information about this funding opportunity and apply.