Spotted wing drosophila — a tiny invasive fruit fly from East Asia — has been devastating crops like raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, and peaches across the United States, causing an estimated 20% revenue loss across those crops. This bill would establish a dedicated research and mitigation fund within the USDA to study the pest and develop ways to fight it, authorizing $6.5 million per year for five years. The money would go out through grants and cooperative agreements to eligible researchers and organizations.
Congressional Summary
Spotted Wing Abatement Trust Act of 2026 or the SWAT Act of 2026This bill directs the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to establish a fund for research relating to, and activities to mitigate the negative effects of, spotted wing drosophila. Spotted wing drosophila is an invasive species of insect from East Asia that has caused significant damage to unripe berry and stone fruit crops in the United States, including raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, peaches, plums, and cherries.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2026-02-09
- Date Added
- 2026-04-09
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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