The Commodity-Based Approach

Commodity-based surveying is a comprehensive 

approach used to monitor simultaneously for 

multiple insects and diseases that can threaten a

given commodity. The U.S. Department of 

Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS) and its State cooperators are applying this approach to exotic pests of 

stone fruit. 

APHIS developed and adopted this preventive 

method to help growers and industry better manage 

risks associated with exotic pest outbreaks. 

Unlike a traditional survey, which focuses on a 

single pest or disease, the commodity-based 

survey casts a wider net to detect as many high-risk 

pests as possible. The result is an efficient survey 

process that provides a comprehensive snapshot of 

exotic pest threats, or the absence of such threats, 

within an industry. It allows growers and agriculture 

officials to be proactive—detecting pests early, 

responding quickly, and keeping commerce and 

trade open. 

Commodity-based surveying 

has proved invaluable in 

protecting growers and their 

operations across a variety of 

tree and field crops.

Your Participation 

Matters

Your participation in the 

commodity-based survey can go a long way in 

protecting your operation and the crop investment 

upon which your livelihood depends. By getting 

involved, you help support early pest detection 

and response efforts, the benefits of which are 

tremendous—short and long term. Early detection 

and response helps to: 

• Quickly mitigate pests and the related 

risks, minimizing large-scale crop damage. 

• Protect industry access to markets—at 

home and abroad. 

• Prevent the need for more dramatic

measures, such as quarantine and plant 

removal. 

• Allow consumers to enjoy continued 

access to affordable stone fruits.

Through your participation, APHIS is able to 

protect the value of stone fruit crops and the 

industry as a whole more effectively.

A Cooperative Effort 

By joining the survey, you can take an active 

part in shaping how the multi-pronged approach 

is implemented and optimized in your area. 

Surveyors work closely with you throughout 

the survey process, from the first conversation 

about how the survey works, to establishing trap 

locations, to monitoring for pests and determining 

if they’re present. 

Peggy Greb, USDA

R. Anson Eaglin, USDA

Jack Dykinga, USDA
Protecting Your 

Stone Fruit:

A Commodity-Based 

Pest Survey

In the event that an exotic pest is detected, APHIS, 

State, and industry partners will continue to work with 

you and other growers to evaluate the situation and 

possible risks. If necessary, an appropriate response 

plan is created and quickly implemented to help 

mitigate pests and the risk to the stone fruit crop and 

industry. A rapid response to an early detection not 

only protects a grower’s total operation, but also may 

eliminate the need for costly and lengthy treatment 

programs. 

The Survey: What It Covers

The specific stone fruit crops surveyed and the list 

of targeted pests and diseases—such as plum pox 

virus, peach fruit fly, and light brown apple moth—

may change from year to year. For the most current 

information, visit the Cooperative Agricultural Pest 

Survey (CAPS) Web site at http://caps.ceris.purdue.

edu/stonefruit. 

CAPS conducts science-based national and State 

surveys that target specific exotic plant pests, 

diseases, and weeds identified as economic and 

environmental threats to U.S. agriculture and/or the 

environment. USDA is the primary funding source for 

CAPS activities, providing funds to State departments 

of agriculture, universities, and other entities through 

cooperative agreements. The program strengthens 

APHIS’ emergency preparedness through its efforts to 

discover these pests before they spread and become 

plant health emergencies. 

Help Protect Stone Fruit 

To join the survey effort, or simply learn more about 

it, contact your APHIS State Plant Health Director 

or your State Plant Regulatory Official. Contact 

information is listed online at:

 

• www.aphis.usda.gov/StateOffices 

• www.nationalplantboard.org/member/index.html 

Cover photo credit: Keith Weller, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination 

in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national 

origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, 

familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic 

information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an 

individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. 

(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 to USDA, 

Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., 

Washington, D.C. 20250–9410, or call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or 

(202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and 

employer.

Program Aid No. 2083

Issued May 2011 

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Brian Prechtel, USDA