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Bill calls to fully staff border ag inspectors

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators has introduced a bill to increase the number of ag inspectors at the border.

Led by Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Gary Peters of Michigan, the Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019 would give the U.S. Customs and Border Protection authority to fully staff ports of entry including air, sea and land ports.

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

Peters says the bill will ensure the safety of the domestic food supply and protect the health and safety of Americans.

President of the National Pork Producers Council David Herring says the legislation will help address current ag inspector shortages and reduce the risk of African Swine Fever and other foreign animal diseases.

Senators Pat Roberts of Kansas, John Cornyn of Texas and Debbie Stabenow Michigan also support the measure.