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Ag groups push U.S. House to pass ag inspectors bill

More than 70 ag groups are asking the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security to support legislation to increase ag inspectors at international ports of entry.

The bipartisan Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019, introduced by Texas Republican Filemon Vela, would appropriate $220 million over the next three years for 240 new U.S. Customs and Border Protection ag specialists and 200 new ag technicians as well as 60 new canine teams to fill inspector shortages.

A companion bill, introduced by Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, was unanimously passed last fall by the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Customs reports a shortage of nearly 700 ag inspectors nationwide.

The measure is supported by numerous ag groups who say increased border security is needed to protect the nation’s food supply from invasive species and foreign animal diseases like African Swine Fever.

In December, the U.S. House approved an additional $19.6 million for more ag inspectors for the 2020 fiscal year.