Ag Groups Warn Congress of Impending Budgetary Shortfall

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week a coalition of more than 150 agriculture, trade and related groups led by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) sent a letter to Congress warning of a major funding shortfall that could severely weaken agricultural inspections at our borders.

The letter urged lawmakers to protect agriculture by appropriating funding to address what could be a $630 million COVID-19-related shortfall through the 2021 fiscal year.

In the letter, the coalition highlighted a funding shortfall for Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI), which plays a critical role in protecting the U.S. from plant and animal pests and diseases. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) collects the user fees that pay for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture inspections.

Due to the recent economic downturn and travel restrictions as a result of COVID-19, there has been a significant reduction in the collection of these user fees.
(SOURCE: National Pork Producers Council)