WC Georgia News

WASHINGTON, DC – On May 11, 2023 , U.S. Representatives Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA-02), Drew Ferguson (R-GA-03), Dan Kildee (D-MI-08), and Adrian Smith (R-NE-03) applauded for approval of H.R. 1480, the Beagle Brigade Act, by the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. Congressman Bishop led the effort in committee to secure its passage with a unanimous, bipartisan vote. The bill can now be considered by the full U.S. House of Representatives. 

The bill will authorize the National Detector Dog Training Center, located in Newnan, Georgia. The Center extensively trains detector dogs and their U.S. Customs and Border Protection handlers to sniff out prohibited agricultural items that could carry foreign plant or animal pests and diseases into our country. 

“The U.S. agriculture sector touches every American’s life. It is a $1 trillion industry constantly under the threat of foreign pests and diseases – such as African swine fever, foot and mouth disease, or citrus greening disease – that could be introduced through our nation’s ports of entry, including airports, harbors, and mail and cargo facilities,” said Rep. Bishop. “Our agriculture detector dogs—also known as the ‘Beagle Brigade’—are an important tool in preventing these threats and eradicating them in the event they overcome our safeguards. I am proud to have the bipartisan support of the House Agriculture Committee as well as Representatives Drew Ferguson, Dan Kildee, and Adrian Smith who joined me in introducing this bill in the House.” 

“The National Detector Dog Training Center – which is located in Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District – does important work to properly train detector dogs to sniff out prohibited agricultural items in domestic and international trade,” said Rep. Ferguson. “The Beagle Brigade Act would authorize this training center to ensure America’s food supply chain stays protected from potentially devastating foreign pests and disease. I’m proud to see this important legislation unanimously pass out of the House Agriculture Committee – and thank my colleagues for their leadership on this legislation. I look forward to the Beagle Brigade Act becoming law.” 

“I am pleased to see our bill move through committee to strengthen the inspection of food imports,” said Rep. 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.” 

“Identifying and stopping foreign pests and diseases at the border before they enter our food supply is of the utmost importance,” said Rep. Smith. “This bill would reinforce a key tool of defense against these threats, further protecting American consumers and producers. I’m pleased to see this bipartisan bill advance in the legislative process. I thank my colleagues Reps. Bishop, Ferguson, and Kildee for their partnership on it, and I am eager to see its passage by the full House.” 

WATCH: Congressman Bishop remarks during the House Agriculture Committee debate on the Beagle Brigade Act 

A bipartisan companion bill has also been introduced in the U.S. Senate and is led by Senators Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA). 

Authorizing the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Detector Dog Training Center ensures the United States 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 trains dogs—mostly beagles—and their handlers to detect prohibited fruits, vegetables, and meats in international passenger baggage, mailed packages, and vehicles entering the United States. Dogs are selected from animal shelters, rescue groups, and private owners. Those that retire from the program or do not complete training are offered for adoption.

Original source can be found here.