Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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APHIS' mission (2003): To protect the health and value of American agriculture and natural resources. ([APHIS website])
APHIS aims to protect American animals, plants, and the agricultural industry by offering:
- Protection from invasive non-native plants, animals, insects, and diseases
- Monitoring and management of existing agricultural pests and diseases
- Resolution and management of trade issues related to animal or plant health
- Prevention or cessation of the inhumane treatment (of animals)
- Non-compliant biotech events
- Invasive species
- Agricultural animal/plant health threats
- Agricultural bioterrorism
- SPS trade barriers
- Wildlife conflicts and diseases
- Zoonotic diseases
- Animal welfare issues
New challenges for APHIS include bioterrorism (Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness Act (2002)) and BSE.
APHIS has a budget of approximately $800 million annually and employs about 7,000 people, about 5,000 of which are deployed as inspectors at ports, borders and on farms. The current APHIS administrator is Dr. Ron DeHaven. He was appointed by Ann Veneman in April 2004. ([link])
In 2003, the border inspection responsibilities of APHIS were transferred to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a unit of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
APHIS is the primary agency responsible for responding to animal and plant disease(s)and pest emergencies but also raises the expectation that we will help in responding to other emergencies as set forth by the National Response Plan (NRP) completed in 2005. (APHIS’ Strategic Plan 2003-2008)
External links
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