GAO: Understaffing at Border is Putting Agriculture at Risk

EL PASO — Problems at the border may be taking a toll on the country's agriculture industry. That's according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office which recently conducted a report that looked at staffing levels at U.S. border crossings.

The GAO interviewed agriculture inspection supervisors and found that 78% of them reported that staffing levels are a major challenge to intercepting pests and diseased livestock. The GAO is recommending a 32% percent increase in the number of agricultural inspectors.

The Texas Border Coalition has also submitted legislation that would allow the private sector to step in to help with inspections.