Slide 1:1 Overview of USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine


1. Introduction to PPQ’s Mission :2 1. Introduction to PPQ’s Mission PPQ supports the APHIS Mission by Safeguarding agriculture and natural resources from the risks associated with the entry, establishment, or spread of animal and plant pests and noxious weeds.


1. Introduction to PPQ’s Mission :3 Nature of the Threat Two primary threats: Exotic Plant Pests Foreign Animal Diseases (FAD) These threats are jointly called “pest risk.” 1. Introduction to PPQ’s Mission Gypsy Moth


2. Invasive Plant Pests :4 2. Invasive Plant Pests Impact of Invasive Species About 1 in 7 introduced plant and animal species becomes invasive Invasive species cost the U.S. $138 billion each year 3 million acres of land lost each year due to invasive plant species 100 million acres currently infested by invasive plant species Purple Loosestrife


2. Invasive Plant Pests :5 2. Invasive Plant Pests Why are They Such a Problem? Two Factors: Human activities Modern transportation: Travelers and commerce carry pests across natural barriers – Pests move with people, commodities, and conveyances. (Most introductions have been unintentional)


2. Invasive Plant Pests :6 2. Invasive Plant Pests Categories of Invasive Plant Pests Insects Ticks And Mites Snails And Slugs Nematodes Noxious Weeds Plant Disease Cotton Bollworm Russian Knapweed


Invasive Plant Pests :7 Categories of Invasive Plant Pests Insects Six legs Small and mobile Can be associated with any type of plant or plant product Can be found at large in conveyances and cargo Can enter in any developmental stage egg immature adult Invasive Plant Pests


Invasive Plant Pests :8 Ticks and Mites Eight legs Very small Ticks suck blood and are associated with live animals and hides Mites feed on plant juices or animal tissue Both are important vectors of plant and animal disease Invasive Plant Pests Dog Tick Mite


Invasive Plant Pests :9 Snails and Slugs Soft and boneless Snails have shells, slugs don’t Small to large Glide on slime Feed on a wide variety of plants Often found at large on containers and vessels Theba pisana (Snail) Invasive Plant Pests


Invasive Plant Pests :10 Nematodes Plant parasitic worms Microscopic Live in soil Primarily feed on plant roots Cause disease-like symptoms Invasive Plant Pests Symptom – Root Galls Nematode


Invasive Plant Pests :11 Noxious Weeds Invasive plant species harm agriculture and natural resources Regulated noxious weeds are called Federal Noxious Weeds (FNW) All plant parts, including plants, cuttings, leaves, stems, and seeds Giant Hogweed – Heracleum mantegazzianum (above) Seed, (below) Plant Invasive Plant Pests


Invasive Plant Pests :12 Plant Diseases Most plant diseases are caused by one of the following pathogens: ? Bacteria ? Fungi ? Viruses Most diseases are not easily detected Invasive Plant Pests Plum Pox Citrus Greening


Foreign Animal Diseases :13 Foreign Animal Diseases Introduction We are interested in infectious diseases. Be aware: Some animal diseases pose a threat to human health Classic Swine Fever Venezuela Equine Encephalitis


Foreign Animal Diseases :14 Diseases of Concern Foreign Animal Diseases


Foreign Animal Diseases :15 How Diseases Spread Direct Contact Indirect Contact Vector Contact Foreign Animal Diseases


Foreign Animal Diseases :16 Causative Agents Foreign Animal Diseases


Slide 17:17 Partnership between USDA APHIS PPQ and DHS CBP


Four Lines of Defense :18 Four Lines of Defense Pre-clearance Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI) Emergency and Domestic Programs Suppression Management


APHIS Mission :19 APHIS Mission To protect the health and value of American agriculture and natural resources PPQ has used the AQI Program as the primary strategy to accomplish its agricultural safeguarding mission. AQI- Agricultural import and entry inspection functions designed to prevent the entry of harmful pests and diseases into the United States.


March 2003 :20 March 2003 Agricultural import and entry inspection transferred from APHIS PPQ to DHS Strengthen border security and protect agriculture from acts of biological warfare or terrorism 2600 employees transferred to DHS


Memorandum Of Agreement :21 Memorandum Of Agreement United States Department Of Homeland Security (DHS) And The United States Department Of Agriculture (USDA)


Articles Of The MOA :22 Articles Of The MOA Article 1 – Purpose and Authorities Article 2 – USDA Functions Transferred to DHS Article 3 – Quarantine and Other Relevant Functions Retained by USDA Article 4 – Training Article 5 – Transfer of Funds Article 6 – Cooperation and Reciprocity Article 7 – Regulations, Policies, and Procedures Article 8 – Communication and Liaison Article 9 – Limitation and Commitment Article 10 – Revisions, Amendments, and Appendices Article 11 – Effective Date Article 12 – No Private Right Created


International Vessel Inspection :23 International Vessel Inspection CBP will: Inspect foreign and coastwise vessels Seal stores and monitor garbage Issue violations for garbage or breaking seals Inspect for Asian Gypsy Moth and Africanized Bees Supervise cleaning and disinfection of vessels Notify APHIS VS when live animals are present Inspect passenger baggage PPQ will: Inspect domestic vessels from Hawaii and Puerto Rico


International Aircraft Inspection :24 International Aircraft Inspection CBP will: Inspect foreign arriving aircraft Monitor catering and garbage compliance Supervise cleaning, disinfection, and treatment of aircraft for live pests, garbage spills, or soil Dispose of contraband Initiate and maintain compliance agreements with garbage handlers Notify APHIS VS when live animals are present PPQ will: Preclear aircraft from HI, PR


Air Passenger Inspection :25 Air Passenger Inspection CBP will: Select and inspect passenger baggage Seize and safeguard non-enterable articles Inspect articles Submit pest and disease samples Dispose of contraband Collect and submit program information and risk analysis data Review documentation Disinfect shoes PPQ will: Inspect propagative articles referred to PPQ’s Plant Inspection Stations Preclear passengers and baggage from HI and PR


Cargo Inspection :26 Cargo Inspection CBP will: Review manifests and hold shipments Inspect shipments and validate treatments Ensure entry requirements are met Submit pest finds to PPQ for identification Initiate Emergency Action Notifications and remedial measures (destruction, reexport) Monitor treatments other than fumigations PPQ will: Identify pests and action status Monitor fumigations Certify vessels for cold treatment


Other Activities :27 Other Activities CBP will: Monitor transit shipments Issue spot settlements and refer cargo violations to APHIS IES Train military personnel PPQ will: Set inspection protocols Preclear commodities overseas Investigate and adjudicate AQI violations (APHIS IES) Manage SITC program to ensure compliance with trade protocols Issue certificates for exports of plant and animal products See Articles 4, 5, 6, and 7