APHIS Seeks Comments on Draft Pest Risk Assessment for Soursop from Puerto Rico

Posted on August 17, 2018 by rhallberg

Puerto Rico has asked USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the movement of fresh soursop for consumption into the continental United States.  APHIS has drafted a pest risk assessment that lists potential pests likely to remain on the commodity if no mitigations are applied.

APHIS shares draft pest risk assessments to determine whether stakeholders have information that might lead us to revise the draft assessment before we identify pest mitigations and proceed with official regulatory action. Continue reading →

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APHIS Updates Regulated Areas in Miami-Dade County for Giant African Snail (Lissachatina fulica, formerly Achatina fulica)

Posted on August 16, 2018 by rhallberg

Effective July 24, 2018, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) removed giant African snail (GAS) regulated areas Zone F, Zone S, and Zone V from the list of quarantined areas in Miami-Dade County, Florida. APHIS and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) collaborated to develop the protocol for removing areas from quarantine. Under the protocol, FDACS and APHIS use the following criteria to deregulate a quarantined area/zone:

  • Surveillance and treatment efforts for 17 months with no detection of live GAS;
  • An additional 19 months of surveillance with no detection of live GAS;
  • A minimum of one negative detector dog survey; and
  • A minimum of one negative night survey, when snails can be more active.

Continue reading →

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Last day for project suggestions is August 17

Posted on August 9, 2018 by rhallberg

Cooperators who wish to submit project suggestions for fiscal year (FY) 2019 funding consideration under the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program (PPDMDPP) should do so no later than midnight Hawaii Standard Time/6:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time on August 18.  Continue reading →

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Post Doc Position – Invasive Insects Modeling at Oregon State University

Posted on August 7, 2018 by rhallberg

The Integrated Plant Protection Center (IPPC) invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Research Associate (Post Doc) position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Director.

Integrated Plant Protection Center (IPPC) helps farmers adapt to an increasingly uncertain world through high impact science and education partnerships. IPPC works regionally, nationally, and internationally in education regarding pesticide safety, pesticide risk management, weather based decision tools, and pollinator protection. Continue reading →

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APHIS adds all of Minnehaha County, areas in Lincoln County, and areas in Turner County in South Dakota to the regulated areas for the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis

Posted on July 30, 2018 by rhallberg

Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adding all of Minnehaha County in South Dakota and areas north of Highway 18 in Lincoln County and north of Highway 18 and east of Highway 19 in Turner County in South Dakota to the list of regulated areas for the emerald ash borer (EAB). APHIS is taking this action in response to the expansion of EAB in these areas.

To prevent the spread of EAB to other states, the attached Federal Order outlines specific conditions for the interstate movement of EAB-regulated articles from the quarantined area. Specifically, the interstate movement of EAB-host wood and wood products from the quarantined areas is regulated, including firewood of all hardwood species, nursery stock, green lumber, waste, compost, and chips of ash species. Continue reading →

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PPQ Delivers Tiny Wasps to Combat Spiking Asian Citrus Psyllid Populations

Posted on July 24, 2018 by rhallberg

By Heather Curlett, APHIS PPQ

When Hurricane Maria thrashed the Caribbean island of Dominica last September, the storm killed dozens of people and devastated the country’s infrastructure. Adding to the misery, plant pest populations exploded after the storm passed. These insects included the Asian citrus psyllid, which spreads the citrus-killing disease Huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening. Because citrus is an economically important crop for the country, Dominica’s agriculture ministry reached out to USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program for help. Continue reading →

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APHIS Invites Stakeholders to Comment on the IPPC Draft Strategic Framework for 2020-2030

Posted on July 23, 2018 by rhallberg

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) has posted its draft Strategic Framework for 2020-2030. APHIS invites stakeholders to provide comments on the document by August 1, 2018.

Instructions for Submitting Comments

The draft Strategic Framework for 2020-2030 is available on the IPPC website. Continue reading →

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