Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, and Food Safety

The Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, and Food Safety is one of five specialized divisions within the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. As a subcommittee, it conducts initial hearings and reviews legislation within its narrower jurisdiction before any bills advance to the full committee for consideration. The subcommittee exists because livestock, dairy, and poultry industries require focused legislative attention distinct from other agricultural sectors like crops, forestry, or nutrition programs.

The subcommittee has jurisdiction over a specific slice of agricultural policy: livestock, poultry, and dairy production; marketing and promotion of these commodities; food safety and security measures; and inspection and certification standards for meat and related products. This specialized focus allows senators to develop deeper expertise in issues affecting farmers, ranchers, and food producers in these industries.

The subcommittee is chaired by Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), with Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) serving as Ranking Member. The panel includes 13 members total, balancing representation from both parties. Recent activity includes a July 2025 hearing on the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which examined how federal and state laboratories work together to detect and respond to animal diseases like avian flu that threaten livestock and poultry operations.