PPQ—Pest Eradication and Management

If harmful foreign pests and diseases enter the United 

States, Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ)—a program 

within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal 

and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)—is prepared 

to detect them early and respond rapidly and effectively. 

PPQ works closely with Federal, State, tribal, and industry 

partners to reduce damage to agriculture and natural 

resources and continues to make great progress in 

eradicating foreign plant pests and diseases in our country. 

PPQ also continues to contain and suppress foreign pests 

and diseases to prevent their further spread. 

Prepared for Action

Preparedness is vital to PPQ’s ability to effectively respond 

to invasive plant pest introductions. To prepare for plant 

health emergencies, PPQ:

 Gathers intelligence on an international scale about 

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immediate threats

 Develops New Pest Response Guidelines that detail 

the methods and tools PPQ and its partners will use to 

contain and control plant pests

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emergencies

PPQ and its partners eliminated plum pox 

virus from Niagara County, NY, and kept 99.5 

percent of 16 million cotton acres free from 

boll weevil in 2015. In 2016, they successfully 

eradicated the destructive European grapevine 

moth from the United States.

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Plant Protection and Quarantine 

 Establishes the infrastructure needed to maintain a 

strong safeguarding system, especially as it relates 

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diagnostic systems

 Conducts training to ensure and maintain rapid, 

consistent, and effective pest management, emergency 

response, and coordination

Early Detection and Rapid Response

PPQ works to detect and respond to invasive plant pest 

and disease incursions and outbreaks as soon as possible, 

before they can spread and cause serious damage. PPQ’s 

early detection and rapid response activities include:

 Surveying to detect foreign plant pests and diseases 

and, if found, determine the boundaries of an incursion 

or outbreak

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experts from Federal and State agencies, universities, 

the private sector, and international organizations who 

provide timely, technical information that PPQ uses to 

determine an effective response 

 Obtaining emergency funding 

European grapevine moth

United States Department of Agriculture
 Mobilizing emergency personnel and resources 

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command structure

 Enacting an emergency regulatory framework by 

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and immediate actions to address a pest or disease 

detection, Federal quarantine orders to stop or regulate 

the movement of potentially infested or infected 

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establish long-term regulatory requirements to prevent 

the spread of plant pests and diseases

 Implementing protocols for communication, public 

outreach, and data management 

 Working with Federal agencies; State, tribal, and local 

governments; and industries to implement coordinated 

actions designed to contain, control, and eradicate plant 

pests and diseases 

 Protecting human health and the environment by 

complying with environmental laws when we must use 

treatments to control plant pests 

Pest Eradication and Management

When an invasive plant pest or disease becomes 

established in the United States, PPQ works with Federal 

agencies; State, tribal, and local governments; and 

the private sector to develop and implement programs 

designed to provide long-term stability and protection 

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 Implement an eradication program, when feasible, to 

eliminate the pest and the risks associated with it 

 Implement a pest mitigation program to reduce the 

spread, damage, and economic impact of a pest that is 

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 Develop integrated pest management plans that 

producers can use to suppress pest populations below 

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 Enact a regulatory framework by issuing interim 

rules to establish quarantines, publishing proposed 

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to prevent the spread of plant pests or diseases, and 

issuing compliance agreements with industry to ensure 

compliance with established regulations 

 Conduct outreach about established pests and steps the 

public can take to prevent their spread

USDA is an equal opportunity 

provider, employer, and lender.

Program Aid No. 2202c

Issued September 2016

Slightly revised July 2017

A PPQ employee examines a citrus tree for signs of disease.

A PPQ employee checks an emerald ash borer trap to detect 

new infestations and monitor the spread of the beetle.