Bringing it strong

Should pest exclusion duties go back to the USDA? That was the focus of the House ag subcommittee hearing today. The first panel broke up about 15 minutes ago and the second panel is expected to testify in about 30 minutes after a few votes.

I've uploaded the prepared statements from two panels testifying before the House Ag Committee's subcommittee on horticulture and organic agriculture to our Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group. Find Joel Nelsen's testimony here, John McClung here and Charles Bronson here. Also find DHS panelist here, House Ag Committee investigator John Jurich here and GAO official Shames here.

The sentiment of Jurich is that things have gone badly for pest exclusion since DHS has assumed duties, notwithstanding some recent changes. Meanwhile, hort committee chairman Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Calif., stressed the difficulties that the DHS has faced in his questioning of the panelists. But can it be changed? Certainly the odds are against it.

Here is an excerpt from Joel Nelsen's testimony:

We have a passion for the program, we understand it and no other agricultural entity has a greater working knowledge of this program. This passion was first presented to DHS in 2003 when a small group of CEO’s from agricultural organizations across the country met with Commissioner Bonner and senior assistant Jay Ahern. At that meeting we were assured of the following: that the program would be better than ever; that one face at the border would work; that there are more inspectors working to protect agriculture with the merger of Customs & Border Protection; that CBP is sensitive to our concerns and remains open to stakeholder communications; that training and education will be cornerstones of the program; and that we have an excellent working relationship with USDA. These statements were elements of that discussion. Unfortunately, this situation did not materialize. Since then I have had no less than six meetings at DHS headquarters in which I was assured identified problems were being corrected. Identified problems ranged from the slowness of the training program, adequate utilization of AQI dollars, the reduction in interceptions, interagency battles, a major deterioration of the beagle brigade program, and high staff turnover, just to name a few.


Later.....

Well, we’re through with second chances, done with third chances, and tired of fourth chances. It’s not as if a path for improvement had never been identified. I read the reports, you read the reports but nobody of consequence acted as a result of the reports. And now the agencies and certain members of Congress ask us for one more chance with the status quo?


TK: Joel Nelsen brings it strong, and he makes a convincing case that border pest inspection duties should revert back to the USDA. Unfortunately, both neither DHS nor the USDA appear to want any part of such a transfer.