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Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Results
Monitoring
Plant Protection & Quarantine
January 1996
Let's take a more indepth look at data-collection processes, forms,
and data bases. At more than 50 ports, the Plant Protection and Quarantine
(PPQ) unit is using scientific survey techniques to gather data regarding
agricultural quarantine inspection (AQI) effectiveness. PPQ plans to
use the data to drive future program decisions.
Keep in mind that the AQI results-monitoring data systems currently
in place at ports across the country all work together to help PPQ to:
(1) better define and document the pest risk of various pathways; (2)
determine how likely is it for agricultural pests and diseases to enter
the United States through identified routes; and (3) support the requirements
of the Government Performance and Results Act, which calls for managing
Federal programs based upon information about program results.
The two keys to all of the port data-collection projects are (1) a
random sample whether the thing being sampled is passengers, cargo,
or vehicles; and (2) a complete inspection of the sample.
Some of the projects require collaboration with the Department of Treasury's
U.S. Customs Service. These activities support the broad APHIS initiative
to foster a more cooperative relationship with other Federal activities.
The charts attached to this update describe (1) the current and projected
analysis locations for results-monitoring activities, (2) data-collection
processes and data bases in use by location; and (3) associated ports
of entry for pest risk.
Data Collection Processes
PPQ uses four varieties of processes for collecting data for the results
monitoring project. First, there is the AQI Monitoring (AQIM) Sample,
which PPQ does itself. At each selected airport, border crossing, and
mail facility, PPQ officers conduct 3,650 total random inspections each
year of passengers, vehicles, and mail. At cargo facilities, PPQ officers
randomly inspect 400 shipments a year. Though shipments are chosen randomly,
PPQ officers completely inspect each sample. Results of the inspections
of vehicles and passengers are used to make a statistically valid estimate
of the rate of quarantine material arriving at each port. This estimate,
called the quarantine material approach rate, is used as the
basis for program effectiveness and efficiency indicators. For cargo,
sample inspection results are used to estimate the rate of cargo shipments
requiring action as they arrive at a port. This estimate, called the
actionable cargo approach rate, can be used by ports to estimate
their effectiveness in managing the pest risk in cargo. There is also
the pest threat rate, which is an estimate of the percentage
of units approaching with significant pests. The pest threat rate can
also be used to evaluate the relative risk of various known pest entry
pathways. The AQI Results-Monitoring Design Team is testing and refining
this system. Data have been collected for a year using the system at
Laredo, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Philadelphia, PA, and San Juan, PR, and
for 6 months at about 10 other ports.
Next, there is the Shared Sample, which involves sharing the sample
selection and inspection with the U.S. Customs Service. In most cases,
Customs' computer system selects a random person or determines a random
time for each inspection. When PPQ officers are present, the PPQ officer
does the inspection or conducts a joint inspection with Customs officers.
When PPQ officers are not present, Customs officers conduct the inspection
based on PPQ's instructions. The advantage to this process is that PPQ
and Customs officers inconvenience fewer travelers and save resources
by joining sample selection and inspection processes. Data may be entered
into the AQIM data base, the compliance examination entry system called
the COMPEX data base, or both. Shared samples are used at some airports
and Mexican border locations and at all five major ports on the Canadian
border. Sample sizes in each port range from 3,650 to 10,000 inspections
per year.
The North Border (NB) Protocol, another data-collection process used
in the results-monitoring project, was developed to meet the specific
needs of ports along the Canadian border. For cargo inspections at all
Canadian border ports and at 13 smallers ports for passengers, PPQ officers
select a sample independently of Customs, inspect the sample, and record
results on PPQ forms. Because PPQ does not continually staff most of
these locations, a sample cannot be taken every hour or two as at other
ports. At the intermittently staffed locations, a PPQ officer (or possibly
another APHIS employee) visits a port or bridge for a 4-to 8-hour block
of time and inspects a random sample of cars and trucks. At the five
larger Canadian border ports, a shared sample is used for vehicles,
and the data are entered into the Customs data base. PPQ also independently
gathers data on cargo at the Canadian border because Customs does not.
Sample sizes for individual ports may be smaller on the Canadian border
because the data is aggregated to show results border wide and not for
individual ports.
PPQ is also interested in random sampling being done by Customs. In
particular, PPQ is reviewing a sample of selected agricultural cargo
coming from Canada that PPQ normally doesn't inspect, assuming it is
of Canadian origin. Customs' goal is to validate, to the extent possible,
that the cargo is indeed of Canadian origin. Customs is also looking
at a sample of a broad range of cargo to determine if any agricultural
cargo is being smuggled or mismanifested. Again, this is cargo PPQ would
not normally inspect. In both cases, Customs is keeping records and
notifying PPQ immediately if problems are found.
Data-Collection Forms and Data Bases
Three varieties of forms and data bases have been created to assist
PPQ in collecting data for the results-monitoring project. The AQIM
paper forms were developed to record data for air passengers, air cargo,
maritime cargo, border vehicles, border cargo trucks, and mail. Currently,
all data entries for these areas are recorded on paper by the PPQ officer
conducting the inspections, and the forms are mailed to headquarters
for entry into the data base. A system using EpiInfo software is now
being tested to allow input and analysis to be done at the port or regional
office.
PPQ is also working with Customs to utilize their comparable COMPEX
system. With this system, Customs is trying to determine what percentage
of passengers comply with Customs regulations. Even though Customs'
goal in using this system is different from PPQ's, the overall concept
and framework are similar to that of the AQIM system. PPQ expects to
have full access to this data-base information on agricultural items
in the near future.
Finally, PPQ utilizes the North border (NB) forms and data bases, which
are also similar to the AQIM forms. However, these forms reflect the
specific requirements and circumstances of the Canadian border ports.
The forms are completed by PPQ officers conducting the inspections and
are sent to the PPQ State Office in Manchester, NH, for entry into a
data base.
In summary, the operational differences at various ports of entry require
different data collection systems. However, all the data elements lead
to providing information about AQI effectiveness in meeting its goal
of protecting American agriculture by managing pest risk from agricultural
imports.AP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation,
or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to
all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600
(voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office
of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Click here for printable version
(PDF)
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