Coalition Warns Congress About Shortage of Ag Inspectors

A coalition of more than 150 agricultural organizations is urging Congressional appropriators to close an estimated $630 million funding shortfall for Agricultural Inspectors at ports-of-entry. In its letter to key member of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees the coalition stated Customs and Border Protection Specialists, Technicians, and Canine Teams inspect Ag imports to prevent the entry of foreign plant and animal pests and diseases, such as Foot and Mouth Disease.

Allison Rivera, Director of Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says, “We must continue to fund our CBP Ag Inspectors and give them the resources they need so that they can continue to be vigilant at our ports of entry.”

National Pork Producers Council President Howard “A.V.” Roth said, “We depend on those inspectors to ensure that American agriculture remains safe. They’re the first line of defense to ensure that African Swine Fever and other foreign animal diseases remain outside the United States borders.” The NPPC says lapsed vigilance of these inspections would have devastating consequences for all of U.S. agriculture.

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