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USAHA: The Nation's Animal Health Forum Since 1897
The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA), the nation's animal health forum for over a century, is a science-based, non-profit, voluntary organization. Its 1,400 members are state and federal animal health officials, national allied organizations, regional representatives, and individual members. USAHA works with state and federal governments, universities, veterinarians, livestock producers, national livestock and poultry organizations, research scientists, the extension service and seven foreign countries to control livestock diseases in the United States. USAHA represents all 50 states, 4 foreign countries and 34 allied groups serving health, technical and consumer markets.
USAHA's mission is to protect animal and public health by:
- Serving as a national forum for communication and coordination concerning:
- disease eradication
- animal health
- emergency preparedness
- emergency response and recovery
- emerging diseases
- food safety
- public health
- animal welfare
- international trade
- Serving as a clearinghouse for new information and methods for policy and programs development
- Developing solutions for animal health issues
USAHA's prime objective is to prevent, control and eliminate livestock diseases that cost ranchers, farmers and consumers approximately $1 billion per year.
The Association's mission is implemented through deliberations of its 32 science-based committees and the adoption of resolutions and recommendations aimed at solving animal health problems. Committee size varies from 11 to 135 members.
USAHA is administered and its policy determined by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Formed in 1897 as the Interstate Association of Livestock Sanitary Boards, the organization had fewer than 100 members and was concerned with one disease affecting cattle--Texas cattle fever. State, federal and industry collaborators formed USAHA in 1897 to assure the interstate shipment of healthy animals and to develop plans to prevent and eradicate animal disease. Today the need remains the same with increased interational animal health and world trade responsibilities.
USAHA has met annually since its founding and produces a printed proceedings of each meeting. The proceedings represent the most complete history of the nation's animal health endeavors over the past century.