Food Protection Protocol to Get Extra Support
February 11, 2020 Despite strained political party lines, all sides can agree that crop protection and food quality is vital. In a rare moment of bipartisan harmony, House Agriculture Committee members recently welcomed passage of the Protecting America’s Food & Agriculture Act of 2019.
The legislation, which passed under suspension of the rules, authorizes the needed funding to hire new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture inspectors. The funds ensure an adequately prepared staff who inspect food and provide defense against foreign animal and plant pests and diseases at U.S. ports of entry.
U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Pat Roberts (R-KS), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the bipartisan bill to address the shortage of agricultural inspectors who protect our food supply and agricultural industries at the border.
The Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019 authorizes the annual hiring of 240 agricultural specialists a year until the workforce shortage is filled and 200 agricultural technicians a year to carry out administrative and support functions. The legislation also authorizes the training and assignment of 20 new canine teams a year, which have proven valuable in detecting illicit fruits, vegetables, and animal products that might have otherwise been missed in initial inspections.
“I’ve long raised the issue of staffing levels at the border,” says Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN). It is critical that we have enough CBP agriculture inspectors, specialists and canine teams to protect our rural communities and our economy from foreign animal and plant pests and diseases. I represent a border district where agriculture is a top industry, and the Protecting America’s Food & Agriculture Act authorizes the crucial resources to help protect districts like mine. Rural America can’t afford another disaster and we need to do everything we can to prevent these pests and diseases from impacting our farm and rural economies.”
“Hundreds of billions of dollars in goods pass through Texas’ ports of entry annually,” Cornyn adds. “This law will boost the number of inspectors safeguarding the safety and integrity of goods and products coming across our border, which will benefit all Americans.”
The legislation now moves to the President’s desk for consideration and signature.
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