Hagedorn Champions Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Protect America’s Food Supply

WASHINGTON – Rep. Jim Hagedorn (MN-01) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday in support of S. 2107, the “Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019.” The bill is designed to protect America’s farms and food supply by preventing the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) and other Foreign Agricultural Diseases (FAD) into the United States.

The legislation provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with the necessary resources to hire, train and assign agricultural specialists and support staff for canine teams (Beagle Brigades) that detect and halt ASF and other foreign-born diseases at our ports of entry.

S. 2107 passed the Senate with unanimous bipartisan support in October, and with last evening’s passage by voice vote in the House, the legislation now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

“If ASF enters the U.S., it’s not just going to hurt our pork producers, it’s going to hurt our corn and soybean growers and all the people down the line to Main Street. ASF devastation will drive up the price of meat for consumers. That’s why this bill is so important,” said Hagedorn.

“Minnesota Farm Bureau appreciates Rep. Hagedorn’s support of the Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019. Farmers and ranchers know that when it comes to foreign pests and disease, prevention is key – whether it is on our farms or at the border,” said Minnesota Farm Bureau President Kevin Paap. “The additional Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists, Technicians and Canine Teams provided through this legislation will provide critical services to ensure that the United States remains a dependable supplier of agricultural exports to the rest of the world.”

“We appreciate the work and support of Rep. Hagedorn on the Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019. The addition of 240 new agricultural specialists and agriculture canine teams for CBP is a critical step forward in protecting the safety and well-being of America’s food supply and swine herd,” said Minnesota Pork Producers Association CEO David Preisler. “Pig farmers have been doing their part to protect their animals from the threat of Foreign Animal Diseases and this bill will ensure CBP is properly staffed to protect America’s food and agriculture.”

Watch Rep. Hagedorn’s full speech here.

Jim Hagedorn was elected in 2018 to represent Minnesota’s First District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He grew up on his family’s grain and livestock farm near Truman. Jim’s father, former U.S. Congressman Tom Hagedorn (MN-02), grandfather, and great-grandfather were all southern Minnesota farmers. Jim currently resides in the rural farming community of Blue Earth. Hagedorn brings policy experience to Capitol Hill from time spent as a congressional aide to former U.S. Congressman Arlan Stangeland (MN-07) and a congressional relations officer for two non-partisan U.S. Department of the Treasury agencies. Hagedorn serves on the House Committees on Agriculture and Small Business to promote farming, Main Street enterprises and southern Minnesota’s way of life.

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