Kildee Introduces Bill to Protect Michigan Agriculture from Foreign Pests and Diseases

Press Release

Congressman Kildee, Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, has introduced bipartisan legislation, supported by Republicans and Democrats, to protect U.S. agriculture and food supply from harm.

The Beagle Brigade Act would provide permanent authorization for the National Detector Dog Training Center, which trains detector dogs 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 the U.S.

"I'm proud to partner with Republicans and Democrats to introduce the Beagle Brigade Act so we can improve the inspection of food imports. This legislation will help protect American crops and livestock from harmful diseases like African Swine Flu that could decimate our domestic hog population. Michigan's farmers feed our families every day, and this bill will help to protect our local food supply from harm," said Congressman Kildee.

Providing permanent authorization for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Detector Dog Training 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. Over 50 prominent agricultural, veterinary, and trade organizations support the legislation.

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

"Michigan's dairy farmers work hard to care for herds and protect them from harm, and we fully support this effort to prevent foreign animal diseases from entering the U.S.," said Doug Chapin, Michigan Milk Producers Association Board Chairman. "By helping ensure we can get trained dogs to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, this legislation takes important steps to protect against the importation of foreign animal diseases, and we appreciate Congressman Kildee's leadership to advance the 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 lead introduction of this bipartisan measure to secure our borders against devastating foreign animal diseases. We encourage lawmakers to advance the Beagle Brigade Act as soon as possible to safeguard U.S. agriculture."

"Michigan Farm Bureau applauds Congressman Dan Kildee and his colleagues for introducing the bipartisan Beagle Brigade Act," said John Kran, National Legislative Counsel for Michigan Farm Bureau. "By permanently authorizing the National Detector Dog Training Center, Michigan farms can be better protected from harmful foreign animal and plant diseases and unwanted ag products. This common sense legislation will protect our ag economy, trade relationships and help provide consumers with a safe and affordable food supply."

"The importation of infected animals or contaminated products is the most likely path for a foreign animal disease to enter our country," 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."

The Beagle Brigade Act is supported by Reps. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Drew Ferguson (GA-03), and Adrian Smith (NE-03). Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. Senate.

Kildee has led bipartisan efforts in Congress to support mid-Michigan farmers. In June, Kildee passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to ensure American products and farmers are not left on the dock or overcharged. Kildee also voted for the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, which supports mid-Michigan farmers by allowing the year-round sale of gas containing ethanol made with Michigan-grown corn. Similarly, Congressman Kildee has worked to help family sugar farmers in mid-Michigan who are impacted by unfair trade practices.

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