Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 2/11/20

The president is set to sign legislation addressing a shortage of agricultural inspectors at U.S. ports of entry after the House cleared the Senate-passed measure on Monday. The inspectors, aided by canine teams, are tasked with helping to prevent diseases such as African swine fever from entering the U.S.

The bill from Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) would authorize $221 million over three years for Customs and Border Protection to hire 240 new agriculture specialists and 200 new ag technicians each fiscal year until the shortage is filled. It would also allocate money for 20 new canine teams each year.

"It is critical that we have enough CBP agriculture inspectors, specialists and canine teams to protect our rural communities and our economy from foreign animal and plant pests and diseases," House Ag Chairman Collin Peterson said in a statement with seven other committee members.

The National Pork Producers Council called the bill a "top priority" for the industry, especially with ASF wreaking havoc in Asia and parts of Europe. "The most likely path for a [foreign animal disease] to enter the country would be through the illegal transport of contaminated products," NPPC said in a statement. "An outbreak of certain FADs would immediately close U.S. pork export markets, causing significant damage to farmers and consumers."

What's next? The pork group is also pushing federal officials to quickly set up a vaccine bank to ward against Foot-and-Mouth Disease, in line with the 2018 farm bill. "The U.S. does not currently have access to enough vaccine to quickly contain and eradicate an FMD outbreak," NPPC said.