USDA - APHIS - Plant Health, Plant Protection and Quarantine

Crop Biosecurity and Emergency Management

APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program safeguards U.S. agriculture and natural resources from the introduction, establishment, and spread of plant pests and noxious weeds.

PPQ’s Emergency and Domestic Programs (EDP) unit provides national leadership and coordination in crop biosecurity and emergency management. As the lead Federal agency for plant health emergencies, PPQ works cooperatively with national and international plant protection organizations; Federal, State, tribal, and local agencies; universities; industries; and private entities in developing and implementing science-based framework designed to provide optimum protection against invasive pests and diseases. The framework consists of four key elements: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Prevention: PPQ works with trading partners and international plant protection organizations to develop and implement early detection and control strategies designed to prevent the entry of invasive pests and diseases into the U.S. In addition, PPQ partners with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure the continued success of agricultural inspection operations at all U.S. ports of entry. PPQ prevention activities include:

Preparedness
PPQ works with Federal agencies, State and local governments, and industries to prepare, build, and sustain operational capacity and capability including early detection, timely diagnostics, and effective control strategies against plant health threats and incursions. PPQ preparedness activities include:

Response
PPQ works with Federal agencies, State, tribes, and local governments, and industries to implement coordinated actions designed to contain, control, or eradicate plant pests and diseases. PPQ uses the Incident Command System (ICS), which provides responding agencies and entities a unified strategy for working together in response to plant health emergencies.

Recovery
After an emergency response is complete, PPQ works with Federal agencies; State, tribes, and local governments; and the private sector to develop and implement systems designed to provide long-term stability and protection from the pest or disease that caused the emergency. Recovery includes plant health regulations, eradication, best management practices, and restoration plans.