Senate bill would enhance pest prevention

U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Daniel Akaka (D-HI) have introduced S. 1673, the Safeguarding American Agriculture Act of 2011, to enhance agricultural import and entry inspections at ports of entry across the nation.

The legislation, which is supported by NASDA, would elevate the agriculture mission within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and enhance agricultural inspection operations at U.S. ports of entry so that the potential introduction of plant and animal pest and diseases would be regarded with the same fervor as all other mission areas within CBP.

In a released statement, Sen. Feinstein said, “In recent years California has experienced outbreaks of Asian Citrus Psyllid and European Grapevine Moth, which have damaged orange groves and vineyards. Other global pests including the Mediterranean, Mexican and Caribbean Fruit Flies, the French Tamarisk and the Asian Long Horned Beetle are believed to have made their way into California through our ports of entry.

“Agriculture inspectors at our borders must have the tools, resources and access they need to defend our agricultural industry from the potentially catastrophic losses associated when these invasive pests and diseases enter our country.”

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