The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) protects the health and value of American agriculture and our natural resources. According to a Cornell University study released in 2004, invasive pest species not common in the U.S. are causing major environmental damages and economic losses adding up to almost $120 billion per year. An earlier 1997 General Accounting Office report estimated the national cost to taxpayers from invasive species was close to $41 billion annually in lost production, prevention, and control expenses.
It is estimated there are approximately 50,000 foreign SPECIES and the number is increasing.
What is causing the proliferation of invasive species in the U.S.? One reason is increased international trade and travel. Travelers love to bring home an exotic fruit or plant that they came across during their trip. And, while this may seem innocent, without knowing it, there may be a stowaway pest on such fruits. Once a pest becomes established or spreads significantly, the cost to eradicate, suppress, or manage it can be in the millions of dollars—not to mention the economic costs in lost crops and damage to native ecosystems.
Congress Responds to Threat of Foreign (Pest) Invasion
Congress responded to this national threat in 2008 with the adoption of Section 10201 in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) (P.L. 110-146). These provisions allow for uninterrupted funding to combat pests and diseases in the U.S. that are oftentimes unremitting and biological in nature. Congress also provided criteria for the wise and targeted use of taxpayer funds. Section 10201 of the Farm Bill explicitly mandates funding “shall (be made) available to carry out this section,” that includes “(b) Early plant pest detection and surveillance….(c) Threat Identification and Mitigation Program…..(and) (d) Specialty Crop Certification and Risk Management Systems.” Congress authorized a total $407 million in the 10-year agriculture budget baseline for this program.
Secretary of Ag can step in
Further, the statute is clear with regard to special funding considerations that are based on potential pest pathways. The Secretary of Agriculture shall provide funds to a state department of agriculture if the Secretary determines that the state department of agriculture is in a state that has a high risk of being affected by 1 or more plant pests or diseases, taking into consideration the following important priorities:
the number of international ports of entry in the state; the volume of international passenger and cargo entry into the state; the geographic location of the state and if the location or types of agricultural commodities produced in the state are conducive to agricultural pests and diseases; crop diversity or natural resources (including unique plant species) of the state; and whether the Secretary has determined that an agricultural pest or disease in the state is a federal concern