A bill that authorizes the hiring of more inspectors at U.S. border to strengthen pest and disease control efforts is waiting for the president’s approval.
The U.S. House passed the Protecting America’s Food & Agriculture Act of 2019 on Feb. 10. The Senate passed the legislation in October.
The bill also calls for 20 canine teams and would allocate resources to airports, seaports and ports on land. It authorizes hiring 240 agricultural specialists and 200 agriculture technicians.
“I’ve long raised the issue of staffing levels at the border,” Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, said in a statement. “It is critical that we have enough (Customs and Border Protection) agriculture inspectors, specialists and canine teams to protect our rural communities and our economy from foreign animal and plant pests and diseases.”
Rep. TJ Cox, D-Calif., said risks from foreign pests and diseases are a common concern in his district.
“In order to remain one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the nation we must ensure our agricultural inspectors have the resources and support they need to keep our domestic food supply and agriculture industries safe and healthy,” Cox said in a statement.
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