Western South Dakota's Only Ranch Station

Ag inspections at borders threatened due to lack of funding

WASHINGTON, DC – A coalition of more than 150 agriculture, trade and related groups led by the National Pork Producers Council sent a letter to Congress warning of a major funding shortfall that could severely weaken agricultural inspections at our borders. The letter urged lawmakers to protect the nation’s agriculture by appropriating funding to address what could be a $630 million COVID-19-related shortfall through fiscal year 2021.

In the letter, the coalition highlighted a funding shortfall for Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI), which plays a critical role in protecting U.S. agriculture from plant and animal pests and diseases. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) collects the AQI user fees that pay for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture inspections. Due to the recent economic downturn and travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19, there has been a significant reduction in the collection of these user fees.

“We depend on AQI to ensure that American agriculture remains safe from foreign animal and plant pests and diseases. It is inconceivable that Congress would risk widespread damage to U.S. agriculture and the overall economy by not funding these inspections,” the groups wrote.

NPPC President Howard “AV” Roth added, “CBP and USDA agriculture inspectors are our first line of defense to ensure African swine fever and other foreign animal diseases remain outside the United States.”

People are also reading...

Two families with generations of ranching in their backgrounds are now part of the new faces at Lemmon Livestock. Pictured are Rowdy and Miranda Benson and their children (left to right) Tymber, Creed, Remi and Retro. The Ham Family, Brady and Kristen (not pictured) are also part of the team.(Courtesy Photo)

Weather

loader-image
Rapid City, US
6:42 am, March 28, 2024
temperature icon 30°F
few clouds
Humidity 71 %
Pressure 1011 mb
Wind 6 mph
Wind Gust: 8 mph
Visibility: 0 km
Sunrise: 6:40 am
Sunset: 7:15 pm

Market News

Share via
Copy link