Bill Overview
Title: Beagle Brigade Act of 2022
Description: This bill provides statutory authority for the National Detector Dog Training Center that is operated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture. The center trains dogs to inspect passenger baggage, cargo, mailed packages, and vehicles to detect foreign pests and diseases that threaten domestic agriculture and natural resources.
Sponsors: Rep. Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]
Target Audience
Population: People benefiting from global agricultural biosecurity measures enhanced by the Beagle Brigade Act
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The National Detector Dog Training Center trains dogs to detect pests and diseases in agricultural products.
- This program serves to protect domestic agriculture and natural resources from foreign threats.
- The impact on the global stage relates to agricultural trade and biosecurity measures, which can influence international supply chains.
Reasoning
- The primary beneficiaries of the Beagle Brigade Act are likely individuals involved in agriculture, including farmers and workers within food supply chains.
- There are indirect beneficiaries, such as consumers who experience stable prices and more secure food supplies due to reduced risk of pest-related disruptions.
- Some individuals within urban areas may not perceive direct impacts unless they have a connection to agriculture or awareness of agriculture's role in the economy.
- The policy does not impose any direct costs on individuals, so negative responses mostly stem from skepticism about governmental effectiveness.
- Wellbeing changes are likely not dramatic, as the presence of trained dogs is primarily preventive, ensuring continuity rather than transformation.
Simulated Interviews
Soybean Farmer (Des Moines, Iowa)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think having more trained dogs at the border will help us catch pests early.
- It's essential to keep our crops safe; we already deal with enough challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Customs Officer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having the dogs will make our jobs quicker and more accurate.
- There’s a lot coming in and out; every bit of help counts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired Agri-Scientist (Miami, Florida)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’ve seen what pests can do to our fields. This act should have been in place years ago.
- It will strengthen our pest control methods significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Grocery Store Manager (Houston, Texas)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better inspection means fewer nasty surprises in our fresh produce section.
- It's a smart move for long-term food security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Urban Policy Researcher (New York, New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it's not directly impacting me, it seems beneficial for national food security.
- Effective policies like this help build public trust in government action.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Citrus Farmer (Fresno, California)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m hopeful that this will keep pest outbreaks under control.
- They have the potential to ruin us, so any safeguard helps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
High School Teacher (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s always good to see proactive measures to protect agriculture.
- I’ll be using this in class to show real-world applications of science.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Logistics Coordinator (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will streamline inspections, reducing delays.
- It’s a much-needed improvement for efficiency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Landscaping Business Owner (Raleigh, North Carolina)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We cannot afford foreign pests affecting ornamental plants.
- I hope these dogs are effective in stopping any issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Rancher (Missoula, Montana)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Not sure how much this affects me directly, but if it keeps our feed safe, I’m all for it.
- I’m glad steps are being taken to protect agriculture.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 3: $16000000 (Low: $13000000, High: $19000000)
Year 5: $16000000 (Low: $13000000, High: $19000000)
Year 10: $17000000 (Low: $14000000, High: $20000000)
Year 100: $20000000 (Low: $16000000, High: $24000000)
Key Considerations
- Effective training and deployment of detector dogs are crucial to maximizing the efficacy and economic benefits of the program.
- The potential international relations dimension, particularly how improved biosecurity might affect trade agreements or partnerships.
- The need for sustained funding and possibly scaling the operations if successful to cover broader geographical areas.