Ernst Bill to Protect Iowa Agriculture from Disease and Pests Heads to President’s Desk
The Beagle Brigade detects and prevents entry of prohibited agricultural items into the country that may carry harmful pests, plants, or diseases, which could devastate Iowa farms.
WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) to prevent the spread of devastating foreign animal diseases is on its way to the president’s desk to be signed into law after passing the House of Representatives today.
The Beagle Brigade Act provides backing for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Detector Dog Training Center, which trains beagles and other skilled dogs to inspect luggage, vehicles, cargo, and packages entering the country. These four-legged detectives play a vital role in identifying prohibited agricultural items that could introduce harmful pests, invasive plants, or dangerous viruses into the United States.
“Iowans know firsthand how important prevention and preparedness efforts are in combatting diseases like avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, and African swine fever. The Beagle Brigade is our first line of defense against foreign animal diseases that have the potential to devastate our farmers, producers, and food supply chain,” said Senator Ernst. “The House and Senate have done our jobs to protect our agricultural community, and the president must sign this bipartisan legislation into law immediately.”
Last month, the Senate unanimously passed Ernst’s Beagle Brigade Act.
The House companion legislation is being led by Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), and Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.).
Background:
Ernst has long been a champion of foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness efforts including the bipartisan Animal Disease and Disaster Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act.
Following the most recent Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in both Iowa poultry flocks and dairy herds, she is also working to hold federal agencies accountable to providing public and state agencies with coordinated, up-to-date, and accurate information on the spread of HPAI.
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