Senator Reverend Warnock’s Beagle Brigade Act passed the U.S. House yesterday 381-20; the bill was previously passed by the U.S. Senate and now heads to President Biden to be signed into law

The legislation will make permanent the USDA training center for the Newnan-based Beagle Brigade, which trains dogs to detect foreign pests and diseases that threaten the domestic agriculture industry

The Beagle Brigade detects and prevents entry of prohibited agricultural items into the country that may carry harmful pests, plants, or diseases, which could devastate Georgia farms

The legislation was led in the House by Reps. Drew Ferguson (R-GA-03), Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Dan Kildee (D-MI-08), and Adrian Smith (R-NE-03)

Senator Reverend Warnock: “Every day, USDA’s National Detector Dog Training Center in Newnan plays an essential role in keeping our food supply safe from contamination. This legislation permanently authorizes their work and will continue to strengthen our nation’s agriculture industry and the well-being of our communities”

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) to support the Beagle Brigade, a specialized group of canine units stationed at airports and ports of entry to prevent the spread of devastating foreign animal diseases. The legislation was previously voted out of the Senate unanimously, and now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

The Beagle Brigade Act makes permanent the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Detector Dog Training Center based in Newnan, Georgia which trains beagles and other skilled dogs to inspect luggage, vehicles, cargo, and packages entering the country. These four-legged detectives play a vital role in identifying prohibited agricultural items that could introduce harmful pests, invasive plants, or dangerous viruses into the United States.

“Every day, USDA’s National Detector Dog Training Center in Newnan plays an essential role in keeping our food supply safe from contamination. This legislation permanently authorizes their work and will continue to strengthen our nation’s agriculture industry and the well-being of our communities,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “As a member of the Senate Agriculture committee and champion for Georgia’s farmers, I am proud to have worked with my Senate and House colleagues, including Congressman Bishop, to get this bipartisan legislation over the finish line, and I urge President Biden to swiftly sign it into law.”

“The U.S. agriculture sector is a $1 trillion industry constantly under the threat of foreign pests and diseases… that could be introduced through our nation’s ports of entry, including airports, harbors, and mail and cargo facilities,” said Congressman Bishop during the House floor debate. “Some of these diseases could cost the American economy tens of billions of dollars to contain and eradicate, if they are found to be in the country. Agriculture detector dogs – known as the ‘Beagle Brigade’ – are an important tool in preventing these threats and eradicating them in the event they overcome our safeguards… An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The Brigade is well worth its value.”

“The Beagle Brigade Act would permanently authorize the training center to ensure that America’s food supply stays protected from potentially devastating foreign pests and diseases,” said Congressman Ferguson during the House floor debate. “The National Detector Dog Training Center in Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District does important work to properly train detector dogs to sniff out prohibited agricultural items in domestic and international trade.”

“Iowans know firsthand how important prevention and preparedness efforts are in combatting diseases like avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, and African swine fever. The Beagle Brigade is our first line of defense against foreign animal diseases that have the potential to devastate our farmers, producers, and food supply chain,” said Senator Ernst. “The House and Senate have done our jobs to protect our agricultural community, and the president must sign this bipartisan legislation into law immediately.”

While the USDA’s National Detector Dog Training Center has operated in Newnan, Georgia for years, the Center itself is not explicitly authorized by Congress. Instead, USDA relies on general plant and animal health protection authorities. Without authorization, funding for the center is inconsistent as it relies on USDA user fees. Congressional authorization would allow for federal appropriations directly to the Center to ensure consistent funding for the training program.

In 2022, Senator Reverend Warnock traveled to Newnan and visited the USDA’s National Detector Dog Training Center. As a proud member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Warnock was thrilled to visit the training center and discuss his bipartisan bill. 

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