[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5929-S5930]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRAMM (for himself, Mr. Bumpers, Mrs. Hutchison, Mr. 
        Hutchinson, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Thurmond, Mr. Shelby, and Mr. 
        Cleland):
  S. 932. A bill to amend the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to require the Secretary of 
Agriculture to establish a national advisory and implementation board 
on imported fire ant control, management, and eradication and, in 
conjunction with the board, to provide grants for research or 
demonstration projects related to the control, management, and possible 
eradication of imported fire ants, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.


     the fire ant control, management, and eradication act of 1997

  Mr. GRAMM, Mr. President, today, I am joined by Senators Bumpers, 
Hutchison, Hutchinson, Thurmond, Shelby, Sessions, and Cleland in 
introducing the Fire Ant Control, Management, and Eradication Act of 
1997. Over the last 76 years, imported fire ants have infested over 275 
million acres in 13 Southern States. The fire ant affects both urban 
and rural areas with damage estimates in the billions of dollars 
annually. In Texas, fire ant damage is estimated at $300 million 
annually, and the cattle industry alone suffers annual losses of $67 
million. Further, it is estimated that the State of Georgia loses $46 
million annually, with Louisiana and Alabama incurring annual damages 
of $23.8 and $16 million respectively. Mississippi has estimated losses 
of $12.3 million. Homeowners in the State of Arkansas spend 
approximately $106 million each year to combat fire ant infestation.
  Research on the fire ants began in 1950 when they were first 
recognized as pests. However, from 1950 to mid-1980, most of the 
research was directed toward short-term solutions.
  Researchers generally concede that acceptable approaches to managing 
fire ants will include pesticide use coupled with biological control 
agents. Since the late 1970's more data on the general biology of fire 
ants have been established, but vast information gaps still remain.
  The legislation that I am introducing along with my colleagues will 
provide a scientific guide to controlling, managing, and possibly 
eradicating fire ants.
  The legislation is modeled after the successful screwworm and boll 
weevil eradication programs, and is supported by the American Farm 
Bureau, National Cattlemen's Association, and the National Association 
of State Departments of Agriculture.
  The bill establishes a national advisory and implementation board on 
fire

[[Page S5930]]

ant control, management, and eradication. The board will consist of 12 
members who are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and who are 
experts in entomology and ant ecology, wildlife biology, electrical 
engineering, economics, and agribusiness. An annual total of $6 million 
will be awarded to at least 4 but not more than 13 research projects 
per year for up to 5 years. After this period, the board will select 
two of the previously funded projects to receive an additional 2-year 
grant not to exceed $4 million each. In preparation for the final plan 
to control, manage, and if possible eradicate fire ants, the board 
shall select one of the two previously funded projects or a combination 
of both as the basis for the national plan. A final 1-year grant of not 
more than $5 million will be used to develop a national plan to control 
the imported fire ant.
  Mr. President, fire ants inflict hundreds of millions of dollars in 
damage each year to homeowners, small businesses, and farmers, with no 
end in sight. Now is the time to begin using our resources to offer 
some relief.
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