H.R. 9976: Spotted Wing Abatement Trust Act of 2026

This bill would create a new U.S. Department of Agriculture fund to support research on, and efforts to reduce, the harm caused by spotted wing drosophila, an invasive insect pest that damages fruit crops.

What the bill does

• Directs the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), part of the Department of Agriculture, to set up a dedicated fund for spotted wing drosophila research and mitigation.
• Allows the fund to be used for:
  • research related to the pest, and
  • activities intended to reduce its negative effects on crops.
• Gives APHIS responsibility for:
  • deciding who is eligible to receive grants or enter into cooperative agreements using the fund, and
  • overseeing the funded activities.
• Authorizes Congress to appropriate $6.5 million per year for the fiscal year the bill is enacted and for each of the next four fiscal years.

What problem it is aimed at

The bill states that spotted wing drosophila causes damage to several fruit crops, including raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, plums, and cherries. It also cites Agriculture Department estimates that the pest contributes to significant revenue losses for some berry and cherry crops.

Practical effect

If enacted, the bill would not directly regulate farmers or set new pest-control rules. Instead, it would create a federal funding stream for research and mitigation projects that could lead to better ways to detect, control, or reduce damage from the pest.

Relevant Companies

• None found