Amendment to be considered in Farm Bill mark-up
WASHINGTON, DC- During Wednesday’s scheduled mark-up of the 2007 Farm Bill, the Senate Agriculture Committee will consider an amendment by U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) that will move the agricultural inspectors from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) back to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“The Homeland Security Act of 2002 transferred the successful and effective agricultural inspection program from the USDA to DHS,” said Casey. “After four years of continuing problems at DHS, it is evident that the agricultural inspections need to be returned to the USDA to ensure our agricultural goods are safe from foreign diseases and pests.”
Since the Homeland Security Act of 2002 was implemented, DHS has been charged with safeguarding U.S. agriculture at ports of entry from foreign invasive pests and diseases that cost the U.S. an estimated $138 billion annually. In a 2006 GAO report, many agriculture specialists reported a decrease in both the number of inspections and specialists to carry out the inspections.
In addition to repealing the transfer of import and entry inspection functions from the USDA to DHS, this amendment establishes the USDA international agricultural inspection program, provides a career track program for agricultural inspectors and develops standard operating procedures for inspections.
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) is a cosponsor of this amendment. Senator Casey worked closely with Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to develop the language for this amendment.
This amendment has the support of the following groups and organizations:
American Farm Bureau
American Mushroom Institute
American Nursery & Landscape Association
California Agricultural Issues Forum
California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California Citrus Mutual
California Grape and Tree Fruit League
California Table Grape Commission
Cherry Marketing Institute
Environmental Defense
Florida Citrus Mutual
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
Florida Tomato Exchange
Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Grower Association
Grower-Shipper Association of Central California
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Grape Cooperative Association
National Potato Council
National Watermelon Association
Northwest Horticultural Council
Produce Marketing Association
Society of American Florists
Sunkist Growers
Texas Citrus Mutual
Texas Produce Association
U.S. Apple Association
United Fresh Produce Association
Welch’s
Western Growers
WineAmerica
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