The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has advanced legislation to add inspectors to fully staff U.S. airports seaports and land ports of entry. The Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019 is co-sponsored by Senate leaders Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow. Minnesota Pork Producers Association President Greg Boerboom says his industry has been calling for those additional inspectors and is pleased with the bill’s movement.

He is pleased the bill authorizes the annual hiring of 240 agricultural inspectors a year until the current workforce is filled as well as the use of canine inspection units.

Boerboom says his group made recent Hill visits calling for this measure and is pleased Senators have heard their concerns.

Also backing the legislation are the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the American Farm Bureau Federation.