WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden signed the Beagle Brigade Act back into law on Dec. 23, which provides statutory authority and funding to the National Detector Dog Training Center.

Through the Beagle Brigade, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) trains beagles and other dogs at US ports of entry to identify contraband fruits, vegetables and meat products in international passenger baggage, mailed packages and vehicles entering the United States.

The initiative has a respected history of serving as the first line of defense against foreign animal and plant diseases.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) oversees the National Detector Dog Training Center. As required in the Beagle Brigade Act, APHIS will report to Congress any current or emerging threats to US agriculture from foreign pests and diseases as well as recommendations to improve the center.

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has long been a proponent of the Beagle Brigade. In May 2023, the group spearheaded a coalition pressing Congress for swift passage of the legislation, believing it to be an invaluable asset to national security and protecting the United States’ $1 trillion agricultural sector. Over 50 organizations joined NPPC in this push.

At the passage of the act, NPPC celebrated the continuation of the Beagle Brigade.

“Pork producers employ a variety of biosecurity measures to keep foreign animal diseases, like African swine fever, out of our herds,” said Lori Stevermer, NPPC president and pork producer from Easton, Minn. “Further away at our nation’s ports of entry, the Beagle Brigade helps ensure these diseases don’t travel past our borders. As pork producers, we are grateful the Beagle Brigade Act will continue to keep our food supply safe and more secure for everyone.”