The Beagle Brigade Act passed the U.S. Senate unanimously; legislation now goes to the U.S. House

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

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”

Senator Ernst: “The Beagle Brigade is essential to sniffing out items that may harbor these threats, stopping them in their tracks before they can endanger our farms and food supply”

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) 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 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 Senator Ernst to get this bipartisan legislation passed through the Senate and one step closer to becoming law.”

“We need all hands – and paws – on deck to keep our agriculture community safe from foreign animal diseases like avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, and African swine fever,” said Senator Ernst. “The Beagle Brigade is essential to sniffing out items that may harbor these threats, stopping them in their tracks before they can endanger our farms and food supply. As this bipartisan legislation moves forward, we can better support another critical line of defense against harmful diseases, pests, and plants, offering our farmers peace of mind as they work to protect their livestock and crops.”

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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