CONGRESSMAN BISHOP APPLAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO HELP PROTECT U.S. AGRICULTURE FROM FOREIGN PESTS & INVASIVE SPECIES

WASHINGTON – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., (GA-02) applauded today’s passage of the Beagle Brigade Act by the U.S. Senate and urged House leaders to bring the measure to a vote.

In March 2023, Congressman Bishop introduced the bipartisan H.R. 1480, the Beagle Brigade Act, along with Congressman Drew Ferguson (GA-03), Dan Kildee (MI-08), and Adrian Smith (NE-03). At the same time, U.S. Senators Rev. Raphael Warnock (GA) and Joni Ernst (IA) introduced the companion bill which was approved by unanimous consent in the Senate today.

The bill will authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 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 the United States.

“The U.S. agriculture sector helps feed, clothe, and build America. It is a $1 trillion industry constantly under the threat of foreign pests and diseases and this bill will help protect us at our nation’s ports of entry, including airports, harbors, and mail and cargo facilities,” said Congressman Bishop. “Agriculture detector dogs—also known as the ‘Beagle Brigade’—are part of our first line of defense. I am proud that this bipartisan bill continues to advance in Congress, and I urge House leaders to schedule a vote quickly so that we can get it to the President to sign into law.”

Authorizing the National Detector Dog Training Center ensures that 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. 

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