The act that provides USDA regulatory authority to prevent, detect, control, and eradicate animal diseases is the

• A. Animal Welfare Act
• B. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• C. Animal Health Protection Act
• D. Public Health Service Act

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that the Animal Health Protection Act provides the USDA with the authority to prevent, detect, control, and eradicate animal diseases. This statute gives USDA APHIS the legal framework to run animal health programs, impose quarantines and movement restrictions, conduct surveillance and reporting, and coordinate eradication efforts during outbreaks. It is specifically focused on safeguarding animal health and the agricultural economy, and enabling emergency responses to disease threats.

The other acts address different areas: the Animal Welfare Act centers on humane treatment of animals in research, exhibition, and transport; the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act regulates safety of foods, drugs, and cosmetics; the Public Health Service Act concerns public health authorities under HHS. These do not provide the same USDA-specific authority for preventing, detecting, and eradicating animal diseases.