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: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Target Audience
Population: American consumers and agricultural stakeholders
Estimated Size: 335000000
- The bill affects the National Detector Dog Training Center, so the primary population impacted is individuals involved in this program, including trainers and administrative staff.
- The dogs trained also form part of the population impacted, but as they are not 'people', we focus on the human-related impacts.
- By bolstering inspection efforts, the bill aims to protect domestic agriculture and natural resources, indirectly impacting farmers, agricultural workers, and industries reliant on agriculture.
- The bill's focus on detecting foreign pests and diseases also means it impacts those involved in import-export businesses, particularly in sectors dealing with agriculture.
- In the long term, citizens who consume agricultural goods might indirectly be impacted, as the bill seeks to prevent the introduction of foreign pests and diseases that could harm crops and raise food prices.
- The bill is enacted in the United States, but because it deals with imports and exports, there might be indirect impacts globally in terms of stricter checks on goods entering the U.S.
Reasoning
- The direct effects of the Beagle Brigade Act will be seen by those working with the National Detector Dog Training Center and those involved in agriculture, such as farmers, agricultural workers, and import/export businesses.
- Nearby communities, agricultural universities, and related government bodies may also experience downstream effects.
- In the long term, average consumers may notice stability or changes in food prices, contingent upon the policy's success in mitigating agricultural diseases and pests.
- Those in administrative or policy planning roles related to agriculture will find their responsibilities potentially expanded or altered.
Simulated Interviews
Agricultural Scientist (Fresno, CA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the Beagle Brigade is a great initiative. It's proactive in terms of protection for our crops.
- With better pest control, I expect less crop damage and more stable produce markets.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Customs Official (Miami, FL)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Beagle Brigade will make my job more efficient; trained dogs are an invaluable asset for detecting risks quickly.
- I'm confident this will help in preventing expensive pest outbreaks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Dog Trainer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel proud knowing our work directly protects the country's agriculture.
- The policy ensures job security and resource availability for better training programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
Farmer (Des Moines, IA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reducing pest risks is always beneficial, and something like the Beagle Brigade can help minimize costly infestations.
- A decrease in pest issues means less stress and better yields for my farm.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Agricultural Policy Analyst (Savannah, GA)
Age: 36 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that the legislation will streamline inspections and improve overseas plant product monitoring.
- This enhances the safety measures already in place, leading to better crop protection.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Importer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Beagle Brigade could make inspections faster and more reliable, reducing delays for products.
- I'm wary of any initial hiccups during the policy rollout, but optimistic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
University Professor in Agriculture (Houston, TX)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Incorporating trained detector dogs into curriculums could significantly benefit students learning about biosecurity.
- The program's success can lead to practical research and study opportunities.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Restaurant Owner (New York, NY)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies that block pests from the food supply chain definitely help in maintaining food quality for my business.
- I expect indirect benefits in terms of supply stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired (Orlando, FL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I like knowing there are measures in place to protect our agriculture, even if I don't see direct impacts.
- The policy might increase awareness of agricultural biosecurity in my community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Logistics Manager (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Beagle Brigade Act allows us to anticipate fewer disruptions from pest-related checks.
- Improved screening should enhance logistics efficiency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $51000000 (Low: $40500000, High: $61500000)
Year 3: $52020000 (Low: $41616000, High: $62424000)
Year 5: $53060400 (Low: $42448000, High: $63672480)
Year 10: $55374100 (Low: $44299280, High: $66561920)
Year 100: $85473900 (Low: $68379120, High: $102568680)
Key Considerations
- The capacity and capability of the National Detector Dog Training Center to scale operations effectively.
- The adaptability of inspection processes to emerging pest threats and global trade patterns.
- Potential changes in import/export volumes that may affect inspection loads.
- Long-term environmental and ecological impacts of improved pest management.