Genesee News

WASHINGTON—The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture voted unanimously today to advance a bill introduced by Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08) to protect the nation’s food supply from foreign pests and diseases. The bill now advances to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

The Beagle Brigade Act would provide permanent authorization for the National Detector Dog Training Center, which trains detector dogs, mostly beagles, and their U.S. Customs and Border Protection handlers to sniff out prohibited agricultural items that could carry foreign plant pests or animal diseases into America.

“I am pleased to see our bill move through committee to strengthen the inspection of food imports,” said Congressman Kildee. “Michigan’s farmers work hard to feed our families every day, and this bill will help to protect our local food supply. I will continue to work with Republicans and Democrats to help defend American agriculture from harmful diseases.”

Providing permanent authorization for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Detector Dog Training Center (Center) ensures the U.S. has a crucial tool in its fight against foreign pests and diseases that have the potential to devastate all sectors of the agriculture economy.

The Center primarily trains dogs to detect fruits, vegetables and meats in international passenger baggage, mailed packages and vehicles entering America. Dogs are selected from animal shelters, rescue groups and private owners, and those that do not complete training are offered for adoption.

“The importation of infected animals or contaminated products is the most likely path for a foreign animal disease to enter our country. We applaud Congressman Kildee’s effort to advance the Beagle Brigade Act through the House Agriculture Committee,” said Mary Kelpinski, CEO of the Michigan Pork Producers Association. “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the first line of defense to protect American pork production and American agriculture from devastating diseases. If African Swine Fever entered this country, it would cost the pork industry billions of dollars in lost revenue, so we fully support this measure to get more trained dogs to the border to help detect unauthorized imports.”

“Michigan Farm Bureau applauds Congressman Dan Kildee and his colleagues for advancing the bipartisan Beagle Brigade Act through the House Agriculture Committee,” said John Kran, national legislative counsel for Michigan Farm Bureau. “We need common sense solutions like the Beagle Brigade to help protect our domestic food supply from harmful foreign animal and plant diseases and unwanted ag products. This legislation is critical for our ag economy, trade relationships and will help provide consumers with a safe and affordable food supply and we support its inclusion in the Farm Bill.”

“To protect agriculture, we need more beagles at the border, and the bipartisan Beagle Brigade Act will help get the job done,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “We applaud Congressman Dan Kildee for helping move this bipartisan measure through the House Agriculture Committee to secure our borders against devastating foreign animal diseases. We encourage lawmakers to advance the Beagle Brigade Act as part of the Farm Bill to safeguard U.S. agriculture.”

Congressman Kildee has led bipartisan efforts in Congress to support mid-Michigan farmers. In December, Kildee led a bipartisan letter to the U.S. Trade Representative raising concerns about unfair trade practices in Mexico that are hurting Michigan farmers. Kildee recently met with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and also raised this issue during their meeting. Kildee introduced the Beagle Brigade Act in March.

Original source can be found here.