Bill calls for more ag inspectors at U.S. ports
The government would hire 240 agricultural inspectors a year to work at U.S. ports under a bill introduced on Thursday by four senators. The inspectors would work for the Customs and Border Protection agency and specialize in preventing entry of agricultural pests and diseases.
USDA allows live foot-and-mouth virus on U.S. mainland
For the first time since 1929, a version of the virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease, a highly infectious livestock disease, will be allowed on the U.S. mainland, said the USDA on Thursday.