Questions and

Answers About Plant

Protection and

Quarantine Permits

for Widely Prevalent

Plant Pests and

Pathogens

Q. What are widely prevalent plant pests and

pathogens? 

A. Plant Protection and Quarantine’s (PPQ) Permits,

Registrations, and Imports (PRI) unit has developed,

in cooperation with scientific societies and State plant

regulatory officials, lists of plant pests and pathogens

that are widely prevalent within specific States.

These lists will facilitate prompt issuance of Federal

permits for the interstate movement of plant pests

and pathogens determined to be widely prevalent in

the destination State(s).

Q. How will this process facilitate the issuance of

permits?

A. The PRI unit has already received concurrence

with individual States for the issuance of permits for

those plant pests and pathogens listed as widely

prevalent. Therefore, qualifying applications will not

require additional review by State Departments of

Agriculture. This will reduce the turnaround time to

receive the permit.

Q. Who needs a permit for plant pests and

pathogens?

A. Any person interested in moving plant pests or

pathogens needs a permit.

Q. What are the requirements for widely 

prevalent pathogen applications?

A. Pathogen applications that meet all the following

qualifications will be processed expeditiously:

• Application must contain ONLY organisms 

included on the widely prevalent pathogen list for 

the destination State(s);

• Application must be for interstate movement, not 

from foreign sources imported into the United 

States;

• Organisms must be of domestic origin, not 

foreign isolates of organisms on the lists; and

• Organisms must not be for environmental 

release.

Q. What are the requirements for widely 

prevalent plant pest applications?

A. Plant pest applications that meet all the following

qualifications will be processed expeditiously:

• Application must contain ONLY organisms 

included on the widely prevalent plant pest list for

the destination State(s);

• Application must be for interstate movement, not 

from foreign sources imported into the United 

States; and

• Organisms must be of domestic origin, not 

foreign isolates of organisms on the lists.

Q. Where can I find the list of widely prevalent

plant pests and pathogens?

A. The State lists of widely prevalent plant pests and

pathogens are available on the APHIS Web site at

<http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/plantpest/

wpp/index.html>.

Q. How do I apply for a permit?

A. You can apply for a permit by completing PPQ

Form 526 for plant pests or pathogens, obtained from

Permit Services, and then fax the permit application

and any additional information to (301) 734–8700, or

mail it to the following address:

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

4700 River Road, Unit 133

Riverdale, MD 20737–1236

PPQ strongly encourages applicants to submit

applications that contain only the scientific names

approved on the lists. The use of unapproved 

synonyms may delay the processing of the 

application.

Q. Is there a fee for obtaining a permit for?

A. There are currently no charges for PPQ permits.

Q. How do I obtain more information on this 

subject?

A. Additional information concerning permits for

widely prevalent plant pests and pathogens is available on the APHIS Web site at

<http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/plantpest/

wpp/index.html>. Applicants may also call APHIS 

directly at (301) 734–8758.

Factsheet

Plant Protection and Quarantine July 2005

APHIS
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.