The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is a multi-faceted Agency with a broad mission. APHIS is responsible for protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. These efforts of APHIS support the overall mission of USDA, which is to protect and promote food, agriculture, natural resources and related issues.
APHIS was established in 1972. The Office of Entomologist, Agricultural Section and the U.S. Patent Office was merged to form APHIS. APHIS is the National Plant Protection Authority for the U.S. government. APHIS is granted specific authority under several federal statutes.
APHIS is divided into six operational programs units and two offices that support government-wide initiatives. Apart from the domestic operations, APHIS International Services has got several overseas offices consisting of staffs including veterinary and plant health attachés in U.S. diplomatic missions as well as technicians conducting disease and pest eradication and control programs.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall use appropriations available to the Secretary for activities authorized under title 7, United States Code, under this or any other Act, to enter into cooperative agreements, with a State, political subdivision, or agency, a public or private agency, organization, or any other person, for leasing aircraft if the Secretary determines that the objectives of the agreement will serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in carrying out the programs administered by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services[i].
Funds shall be available to APHIS for contracting with individuals for carrying out programs, activities and services to be performed outside of the U.S., as determined by APHIS[ii].
The agency is responsible for providing leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants, improving agricultural productivity and competitiveness, and contributing to the national economy and the public health. APHIS’ activities also include guarding U.S. borders against foreign agricultural pests and diseases. APHIS shall prohibit or restrict the importation, entry, exportation, or movement of any plant, plant product, biological control organism, noxious weed, articles, or means of conveyance in interstate commerce, if the Secretary determines that such restriction is required to prevent the introduction into the U.S. or the dissemination of a plant pest or noxious weed within the U.S[iii].
For protecting agricultural health, APHIS works day and night to defend America’s animal and plant resources from agricultural pests and diseases. On detecting a pest, APHIS implements emergency protocols and partners with affected States to manage or eradicate the outbreak. This kind of aggressive approach by APHIS has enabled it to successfully prevent or eradicate and respond to potential pest and disease threats to U.S. agriculture.
APHIS follows specific instructions in the treatment of packages that contain plants or plant products received in closed mail dispatches made up for transmission directly to a post office located at a custom port at which no plant quarantine inspector is stationed. Such packages shall be forwarded by the collector of customs through the postmaster. Packages discovered at post offices where no customs officer is located shall be forwarded by the postmaster under his official penalty envelope addressed to the collector of customs at the most accessible location[iv].
APHIS also promotes the health of U.S. agriculture in the international trade arena. APHIS develops and advances science-based standards with trading partners to ensure America’s agricultural exports are protected from unjustified restrictions. Inspections shall be performed by agents, by inspectors, or by employees of a State plant protection agency who are authorized by the agency to perform field inspections. Employees of a State plant protection agency who are not agents shall perform field inspections only under the supervision of an inspector[v]. Even while carrying out its diverse protection responsibilities, APHIS makes every effort to address the needs of all stakeholders involved in the U.S. agricultural sector.
On or after March 26, 1985, no person shall engage in business as an importer, exporter, or re-exporter of any terrestrial plants, unless such person has obtained a protected plant permit for engaging in such business from Plant Protection and Quarantine[vi].
APHIS imposed certain restrictions on the introduction of regulated articles[vii]. Therefore, an inspector shall hold, seize, quarantine, treat, apply other remedial measures to, destroy, or otherwise dispose of plants, plant pests, or other articles according to the Plant Protection Act.
APHIS expanded its mission over the years to include such issues as wildlife damage and disease management; regulation of genetically engineered crops and animal welfare; and protection of public health and safety and also natural resources that are vulnerable to invasive pests and pathogens.
[i] 7 USCS § 426d.
[ii] 7 USCS § 2277.
[iii] 7 USCS § 7712.
[iv] 7 CFR 351.6.
[v] 7 CFR 353.6.
[vi] 7 CFR 355.11.
[vii] 7 CFR 340.0.
