WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 6, 2025 — The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) commended President Biden for signing into law the Beagle Brigade Act, which provides statutory authority and reliable funding to the National Detector Dog Training Center.
“Pork producers employ a variety of biosecurity measures to keep foreign animal diseases, like African swine fever, out of our herds. Further away at our nation’s ports of entry, the Beagle Brigade helps ensure these diseases don’t travel past our borders,” said Lori Stevermer, NPPC president and pork producer from Easton, Minnesota. “As pork producers, we are grateful the Beagle Brigade Act will continue to keep our food supply safe and more secure for everyone. We thank Senators Warnock and Ernst and Congressmen Bishop and Ferguson for their leadership on this legislation.”
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) trains beagles and other dogs at U.S. ports of entry to spot contraband fruits, vegetables, and meat products in international passenger baggage, mailed packages, and vehicles entering the United States. The “Beagle Brigade” agriculture canine teams bolster national security by performing critically important inspections at ports of entry.
NPPC led a coalition of 50+ groups in pressing Congress to pass this bipartisan legislation.
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