CANSLER CONSULTING, LLC

Issues relating to USDA-APHIS Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program and infestations in northern California. Support Section (a) of section 10107 that amends section 420(f)of the 7 USC, Plant Protection, Section 7721, Plant Pest and Disease Management & Disaster Prevention, included in H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act that provide $90 million for fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter. Issues relating to 7 USC, Plant Protection, Section 7721, Plant pest and disease management and disaster prevention, (b)(6) Special Funding Considerations. The Secretary of Agriculture is directed to provide funds to a State department of agriculture if the Secretary determines that-(A) the State department of agriculture is in a State that has a high risk of being affected by 1 or more plant pests or diseases, taking into consideration-(i) the number of international ports of entry in the State; (ii) the volume of international passenger and cargo entry into the State; (iii) the geographic location of the State and if the location or types of agricultural commodities produced in the State are conducive to agricultural pest and disease establishment due to the climate, crop diversity, or natural resources (including unique plant species) of the State; and (iv) whether the Secretary has determined that an agricultural pest or disease in the State is a Federal concern; and (B) the early plant pest detection and surveillance activities supported with the funds will likely-(i) prevent the introduction and establishment of plant pests; and (ii) provide a comprehensive approach to compliment Federal detection efforts. Issues relating to potential impacts of Department of Government Efficiency staff reductions in USDA biological program areas that are labor-intensive activities, and resulting challenges to safeguarding U.S. agriculture. Issues relating to producers in California facing challenges with rat infestations in almond orchards. Rats are damaging trees and nuts and eating through irrigation pipelines. Issues relating to National Detector Dog Training Center in protecting the domestic agriculture sector from invasive pests and diseases. Urge USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service to consider and prioritize the growing use of canine teams nationally and within territories of the U.S. by exploring ways to expand the number of canine detection training facilities across the country, to include areas on the West Coast with high detection needs. Support enactment of H.R. 776, Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act of 2025, and funding at the authorized level for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program.

H. R. 4121, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for FY 2026 and accompanying H.Report 119-172 and S.119-37. Issues relating to funding levels for USDA APHIS Specialty Crop pests, USDA-APHIS Fruit Fly Rearing Facility at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, CA, additional federal support to attain 50:50 cost share for County - USDA APHIS Wildlife Services programs, and USDA cooperation with increasing populations of grasshoppers in southern Oregon, northern Nevada and northern California damaging rangelands, orchards and vineyards. Issues relating to the invasive species nutria in California and the need for timely and adequate federal funding for eradication and control programs at the level authorized in the Nutria Eradication and Control Act (P.L. 116-186) in the bill making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and related agencies for FY 2026. Issues relating to adequate funding for US Forest Service partnerships with Weed Management Area Groups in Region 5 to reduce hazardous fuels in the bill making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for FY 2026. Issues relating to funding level for EPA Office of Pesticide Policy (OPP) budget for FY 2026. Support annual funding of EPA-OPP at the minimum appropriations trigger level required by the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5; Division HH, Title VI of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, P.L.117-328) that maintains EPA-OPP ability to assess and collect user fees. EPAs ability to meet statutory timeframes for registration applications and registration review case completions is dependent upon both fees and pesticide program appropriations. Issues relating to the joint explanatory statement accompanying Division A of the Consolidated Appropriations bill for FY 2023 where the House and Senate Appropriations Committees directed USDA to submit a report to the Committees within 1 year of enactment regarding the National Detector Dog Training Center's role in protecting the domestic agriculture sector from pests and diseases. Support enactment of H.R. 776, Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act of 2025, and funding at the authorized level for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program. Issues relating to USDA Wildlife Services budget increase of $3 million in H. R. 4121, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for FY 2026.

Issues relating to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association (CACASA), the California Department of Pesticide Regulations and EPA Region 9 to ensure a unified and coordinated program of pesticide episode reporting, investigation, and enforcement action in the State of California. Support to codify state level pesticide preemption in the new Farm Bill. Issues relating to FY 2026 budget and impacts of proposed staffing. The EPA will start a reduction in force and reorganization. EPA planning an efficient regulatory framework that leverages advanced technology and well-organized on-the-ground efforts will serve as a model for environmental stewardship and agricultural productivity. Support enactment of H.R. 776, Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act of 2025, and funding at the authorized level for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program. Issues relating to producers in California facing challenges with rat infestations in almond orchards. Rats are damaging trees and nuts and eating through irrigation pipelines.