The Economic Times

USDA and CBP spent $861 million checking travellers and cargo for farm pests in 2011, but fees left a $325 million gap because federal law limits who pays

The United States has struggled with funding for its Agricultural Quarantine Inspection program due to fee shortfalls. In 2011, the program had an $861 million budget but collected significantly less in fees. Inspection fees were insufficient because legal restrictions limited cost recovery from various users. Reforms have been introduced to update fee structures and improve collections. These measures, however, do not fully address the root funding issues of the program.