Plant Protection and Quarantine is one of six operational program units within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. The PPQ works to safeguard agriculture and natural resources in the U.S. against the entry, establishment, and spread of animal and plant pests and noxious weeds, to help ensure an abundant, high-quality, and varied food supply.
PPQ collaborates with state departments of agriculture and other government agencies to eradicate, suppress, or contain plant pests. Such collaborations may include emergency or longer-term domestic programs to target a specific pest. Targeted pests include:
*soybean rust, caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi and Phakopsora meibomiae
*sudden oak death caused by Phytophthora ramorum
*thousand cankers disease, caused by Geosmithia morbida spread by the walnut twig beetle
Pest detection and identification
PPQ aims to support APHIS goals by early detection of pests, weeds and plant diseases harmful to the economy, to allow for an organized response before significant damage is caused. The National Identification Services coordinates reports of plant pest identification, providing a database that may lead to quarantine actions. NIS collaborates with scientists in various specialties at institutions around the country, sending them detailed digital images of suspected pests for timely identification. Biochemical testing services are also employed.
The Center for Plant Health Science and Technology is PPQ's scientific support division, providing research and data to make scientifically valid regulatory and policy decisions. The Center also develops technology and practical tools for PPQ personnel to conduct pest detection, exclusion and management operations. The division's project areas include:
Trade risk analysis and treatment – the potential impact on U.S. agriculture of pests and diseases associated with imported plant products, and treatment of these products to reduce such risks.
Pest detection – through development of surveillance programs.
Identification and diagnostics – developing and testing new detection technologies, and accrediting external laboratories in their use.
Emergency response – providing scientific support during plant health emergencies.
Harmful plant strategies – implementing existing methods and developing new technologies for the identification, exclusion, eradication, and management of invasive weeds and regulated plants.
Biological control – developing technologies to allow natural enemies to effectively mitigate the impacts of invasive pests, arthropods, weeds, and plant pathogens.
PPQ advises on regulations for international and interstate trade with the aim of preventing the introduction of foreign plant pests. This notably includes procedures on the import of live plants, fresh fruits and vegetables, and solid-wood packing material. Domestic standards are delegated by the National Plant Protection Organization which assumes the responsibilities for ensuring the U.S. export program meets international standards. It provides certification of commodities as a service to U.S. exporters. The North American Plant Protection Organization, operating between the U.S., Canada and Mexico, was created in 1976 to set Regional Standards for Phytosanitary Measures. It depends upon regulators, scientists, producers and industry associations to collaborate in scientific standards to protect agricultural, forest, and other plant resources while facilitating trade. The International Plant Protection Convention, established 1951, is an international plant health agreement that aims to protect cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of pests. This is done through International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures.
Accreditation, Certification, and Network Services
The Accreditation, Certification, and Network Services unit manages the National Seed Health System; the U.S. Nursery Certification Program; the U.S. Greenhouse Certification Program; the State National Harmonization Program for seed potatoes; Special Foreign Inspection and Certification programs; Plants in Growing Media; Postentry Quarantine, Audit-based Certification Systems pertaining to section 10201 of the Farm Bill; and the National Clean Plant Network pertaining to section 10202 of the Farm Bill.
