many goals one mission

Protecting America’s Agricultural

and Natural Resources

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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It’savitalmission:healthyandprofitableAmerican

agricultureprovidesfoodandclothingforcountless

peopleworldwideandisakeypillarofoureconomy.

Giventhebroadreachofourmission,millionsofpeople

benefitfromAPHIS’programsandserviceseveryday.

Asournamesuggests,APHIS’workcentersaround

animalandplanthealth,butourprogramsinvolve

manyotherimportantthingsaswell:animalwelfare,

biotechnology,globaltrade,wildlifedamagemanagement,

emergencyresponse,andscientificresearch.And

while,formany,APHISisnotahouseholdname,our

effortsareseenandfeltbothfarandwide.Froman

abundanceofhealthyandaffordablefoodaroundthe

world,toairtravelkeptsafeagainstwildlife-related

accidents,tohouseholdpetsshelteredfromharmina

disaster,toourownbeautifultree-linedstreets,protecting

andpromotingagriculturebringsvaluewellbeyondthe

farm,touchingpeople’slivesinamultitudeofways.

Asagricultureandtheglobalmarketplacehaveevolved,

sohasAPHIS.Today,wecontinuetooverseepestand

diseaseeradicationprograms,testlivestockandpoultryfor

diseases,andplacequarantinesonthemovementofcertain

typesofplants—activitiesthathavehistoricallybeenan

importantcomponentofourwork.Wecontinuetoprovide

criticalservicesatfarms,feedlots,andfacilitieswithState

andindustrypartners.Butwealsosupportthehealth

andmarketabilityofU.S.agriculturalindustriesby

negotiatingwithforeigngovernmentstofacilitatetrade

andexpandmarketsforU.S.products.Increasingly,we

looktoinnovative,nonregulatorysolutionstoachieveour

aims—makingsureagriculturestayshealthywhile

ensuringtheswiftflowofcommerce.

APHIS’strongcommitmenttoservingtheAmericanpeople

guidesallthatwedo.Withaneyetowardexcellenceand

value,we’reconstantlyfindingnewwaystoaccomplish

ourworksothatAPHIS’wayofdoingbusinessreflectsthe

wayagricultureandcommerceoperatetoday.Weareusing

moretechnologytoallowindustrytomoveatthespeedof

commerceandkeepupwithdemandforagricultural

commodities.Wearedevelopingbetter,fasterprocesses

toimproveourcustomers’experienceanddeliverservices

morecheaplyandeffectively.Wearestreamlining

operationsinareassuchasveterinarybiologicslicensing,

importandexportreviews,environmentaldocumentation,and

reviewsofpetitionstodeterminetheregulatorystatusof

geneticallyengineeredcrops.Theseactions—andmany

others—aresavingbothtimeandmoneyasAPHISstrives

tobetterserveitsstakeholdersandtheAmericanpublic.

EventhoughAPHIS’goalscontinuetoevolve,our

ultimatemissionremainsthesame.Byprotecting

America’sagriculturalandnaturalresources,we

protectAmerica.Andthatwillneverchange.

3

“ByprotectingAmerica’sagriculture,

weprotectAmerica.Andthatwill

neverchange.”

manygoals

Formorethan40years,themissionoftheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture’s(USDA)

AnimalandPlantHealthInspectionService(APHIS)hasbeentoprotectthehealthand

valueofAmerica’sagriculturalandnaturalresources.
APHIS is composed of several different program units,

each focused on its own unique responsibilities and

duties. Together, these programs work as a dynamic

whole—a world-class system designed to safeguard the

health of animals, plants, people, and ecosystems

throughout the United States and to foster safe

agricultural trade worldwide.

Agriculture is vital to the health and strength of the U.S.

economy and our citizens. However, globalization and free

trade place great pressure on our safeguarding system.

Protecting agriculture requires special attention from all

of us who work in and with the agriculture sector.

Our dynamic safeguarding system is built on a foundation of

collaboration and partnership. At APHIS, we believe in

working closely with our partners and stakeholders,

both inside and outside the agency, to get results. Our

employees cooperate with growers and producers,

industry representatives, other Federal agencies, State

and local governments, professional organizations,

advocacy groups, and scientists and academia nationwide to manage the issues that affect agriculture.

In doing so, we are also firmly committed to delivering

APHIS programs in traditionally underserved, underrepresented areas and rural communities. As part of

this effort, we partner with 1890 land-grant colleges and

universities, historically black colleges and universities

(HBCUs), and community-based and minority organizations (CBOs) to enhance the viability of small, limited

resource, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

In addition, APHIS collaborates with internationally

recognized scientists and participates in world animal

and plant health organizations. And as our work

increasingly intersects with human health issues, we

find ourselves reaching out to new partners, such as

public health officials and organizations. All of this

strong collaboration allows us to do more.

many units

ONE MISSION: Protecting America’s Agricultural and Natural Resources 5

“APHIS is composed of several different

program units, each focused on its own

unique responsibilities and duties.”
ONE MISSION: Protecting America’s Agricultural and Natural Resources 7

APHIS employees are located throughout the United

States and in multiple Territories and countries. We

are on the job 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, protecting

America’s agricultural and natural resources.

Experts

APHIS employees are highly qualified experts in their

fields; each is deeply committed to applying his or her

skills to the APHIS mission. In addition to scientists,

veterinarians, entomologists, and biologists, APHIS

employs professionals from a wide range of disciplines,

including communications, economics, information

technology, finance, emergency management, biosafety,

biosecurity, acquisition, facilities management, investigative

services, and human resources.

Leaders

Strong leadership; proven technical competence; and

practical, customer-focused decisionmaking are the key

attributes of APHIS employees. These are the organizational values that help us accomplish our mission every

day, as we strive to deliver the best possible service at

the best possible value for taxpayer dollars. We ground our

decisions in high-quality, hard analysis, setting clear

objectives for our programs and policies and measuring

our results and progress in real terms. In addition, we

continuously analyze our business processes through

formal and informal Business Process Improvement

(BPI) methods to improve our organizational

performance for the future.

Today, as we face new challenges nationwide in

strengthening our safeguarding system, addressing

increased trade volume, and responding to agricultural

emergencies, APHIS is also investing in continued

employee training and development as fundamental to

success in an evolving world. At the heart of these

efforts is APHIS’ dedication to civil rights in all of our

programs and practices—so our agency reflects the

diversity of the U.S. public we serve, and every person

who stands to benefit from our services can do so equally

and fairly.

many faces

“APHIS employees are on the job 24 hours

a day, 7 days a week, protecting America’s

agricultural and natural resources.”
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Increasesinglobaltrade,theemergenceofzoonotic

diseases,andthethreatofagroterrorismdemanda

comprehensiveapproachtoprotectinganimalandpublic

health.ThroughitsVeterinaryServicesprogram,APHIS

bringsawealthofskillsandexpertisetothiseffort—from

globaldiseasesurveillanceandanimalhealthcertification

todiseaseeradicationandemergencypreparedness.

MonitoringandSurveyingforDisease

Toprotectanimalandpublichealththroughoutthe

UnitedStates,APHIScontinuouslymonitorstheworld-

wideanimal-healthenvironment,analyzingdataand

trendsastheyarereported.Ourspecialistsidentify

potentialandemerginganimalhealththreatsandtake

actionnotonlytomitigatetheimpactonU.S.agriculture,

butalso—whenthethreatiszoonotic(transmissible

fromanimalstopeople)—toprotectpublichealth.Further,

throughoursurveillanceprograms,wedetermine

whetherdiseaseispresentornotinU.S.livestock

herds—informationthatcanhelpopenmoreforeign

exportmarkets.

SafeguardingAgainstForeignAnimalDiseases

APHISstandsasthefirstlineofdefenseagainstthe

spreadofforeignanimaldiseases—athreatthatcanbe

costlytoeradicateandcausesignificantdamagetothe

U.S.economy.Sinceitsinception,APHIShassuccessfully

eradicatedseveralforeignanimaldiseasesfromthe

UnitedStates,includingexoticNewcastledisease,classi-

calswinefever,andhighlypathogenicavianinfluenza.

EradicatingDomesticAnimalDiseases

APHIS’fieldforceprovideson-the-groundsupportin

respondingtooutbreaksamongU.S.livestockandpoultry.

WorkingtogetherwithState,tribal,local,andother

Federalofficials,theyhelperadicatedomesticdiseases

suchasbrucellosisincattle,lowpathogenicavian

influenzainpoultry,andscrapieinsheepandgoats.

ProvidingWorld-ClassAnimalHealthDiagnostics,

Analysis,andProductEvaluation

Withitsownlaboratoriesandlaboratorynetwork,APHIS

isaleaderinanimalhealthscienceandtechnology.

Fromdiagnosingdomestic,foreign,andemerginganimal

diseasesandstudyingtheproductionpracticesofU.S.

producerstoensuringthatveterinarybiologicsavailable

forthediagnosis,prevention,andtreatmentofanimals

arepure,safe,potent,andeffective,ouremployees

developandapplyscientificmethodsthatformthe

foundationoftheNation’sanimalhealthinfrastructure.

FacilitatingTradeandOpeningNewMarkets

Throughtheinspectionandcertificationofanimals,

animalproducts,andveterinarybiologicsbeingshipped

intoandoutofthecountry,APHIShelpsprotectboth

Americanproducersandconsumers.Ourspecialists

workcloselywithproducerstocertifytheirexportsas

pest-anddisease-free,whileconsumerstrustAPHISto

ensurethatimportedanimals,animalproducts,and

veterinarybiologicsposenothreattotheUnitedStates,

ouragriculture,orourfoodsupply.Atthesametime,we

worktoexpandproduceraccesstoforeignmarketsby

engagingindirecttradenegotiationsandharmonization

ofstandardswithothernations.

“APHISstandsas

thefirstline

ofdefense

againstthe

spreadofforeign

animaldiseases.”

manyexpertskills

VeterinaryServices

AstheNation’srecognizedanimalhealthleader,

VeterinaryServicessafeguardsthehealthof

animals,people,andtheenvironmentby:

•Coordinatingnationalanimalhealth

emergencypreparednessandmanagement,

includingtheNationalVeterinaryStockpile;

•Ensuringthesafeimportofanimals,

animalproducts,andveterinarybiologics

andcertifyingthemforexport;

•Diagnosingdomestic,foreign,and

emerginganimaldiseases;

•Monitoringthehealthstatusoflivestockand

poultryanddirectingnationalprogramstocon-

troland/oreradicatecertainanimaldiseases;

•Developing,implementing,andenforcing

standardsforsafeanimalvaccinesand

performanceofdiagnostickits;

•Providingtime-criticalanimalhealthinforma-

tionanddatatoaddresschallengesfacedby

animalproducersandstakeholders;

•Managinganationalnetworkoflaborato-

riesusedfortestingandemergency

response;and

•Collaboratingwithpublichealthexpertson

nationalandglobalinitiativesthataddress

interconnectionsbetweenanimal,human,

andenvironmentalhealth(“OneHealth”).

AnimalHealth
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ThroughitsPlantProtectionandQuarantineprogram,

APHISvigilantlyprotectsagricultureandtheenvironment

againstplantpestanddiseasethreatstoensureadiverse

naturalecosystemandanabundantandhealthyfood

supplyforallAmericans.

ProtectingU.S.AgricultureandtheEnvironment

FromInvasivePests

Aninvasivepestisanon-nativespecieswhoseintroduction

intotheUnitedStatescoulddamagetheeconomy,natural

resources,orhumanhealth.Ourhighestpriorityistoprotect

Americanagricultureandnaturalresourcesfromlosses

attributabletothesepests.Ourbattleoccursonthreefronts:

first,intheimportingcountry,whereweassisttrading

partnersintheirpestcontroleffortstostopthethreatatthe

source;second,atU.S.portsofentry,whereweworkin

partnershipwithDHStoinspectcargo,liveplantshipments,

andinternationalpassengerbaggage,aswellas

commercialvessels,trucks,aircraft,andrailcars,and

interceptforeignagriculturalpestsbeforetheycanenter

thecountry;andfinally,acrossourNation,wherewetake

actionstoprevent,detect,identify,manage,andifpossible,

eradicateinvasivepests,whileprotectingU.S.agricultural

resourcesandtheenvironmentfromharm.

FacilitatingSafeAgriculturalTrade

Bydeterminingwhichplantsandplantproductscanbe

safelyimported—andwhichposeahighriskandshould

beexcluded—ourspecialistsestablishregulationsand

policiesthathelpprotectU.S.agricultureandthe

environment.Weuseourexpertisetohelpimporters

safelymovebillionsofdollarsofvaluablecommodities,

includingmoreaffordableandmoreconsistentlyavail-

ablefruitsandvegetablesforconsumers,intotheUnited

Stateseveryday.Atportsaroundthecountry,ourexperts

helpDHSinspectorslearntorecognizeagriculturalthreats.

Ourexpertsalsoofferscientificadviceonhandlingpossible

risktoU.S.agriculture,suchaspotentiallyinfestedship-

mentsofimportedplantandanimalproductsandthe

properdisposalofforeigngarbage.

SafeguardingThroughScience

SafeguardingAmerica’sagricultureandenvironment

requiresacontinuousflowofinformationaboutpests

abroadthatcouldthreatenourplantresourcesandthe

likelypathwaysthroughwhichtheycouldenterandtran-

sittheUnitedStates.APHISscientistsmonitorpestdata

fromaroundtheworldandthroughoutthecountryto

uncoverthosepathwaysanddevelopstrategiestoboth

excludepestsbeforetheyarriveatourshoresandtostop

orlimittheirmovementiftheyenterthecountry.

AssistingU.S.FarmersandExporters

APHISassistsAmericanfarmersandexportersby

providingplanthealthinspectionandcertificationfor

plantsandplantproductsbeingshippedtoforeign

countries.Requiredbyimportingcountries,theseplant

healthcertificatesensurethatproductsarepest-and

disease-free.Wealsoworktoexpandproduceraccess

toforeignmarketsbyengagingintechnicaltrade

discussionswithothernations.

“Thecontinuous

processofresearch,

analysis,methods

development,survey,

detection,and

responseiscentralto

thesuccessofAPHIS’

safeguarding

activities.”

PlantProtection

andQuarantine

PlantProtectionandQuarantinesafe-

guardsU.S.agriculturalandnatural

resourcesfromrisksassociatedwiththe

entry,establishment,orspreadof

agriculturalpestsanddiseasesby:

•Preventing,detecting,managing,and,if

possible,eradicatingforeignplantpests

anddiseasesintheUnitedStates;

•Developingscientificallyadvanced,

environmentallysoundmethodsto

respondtoplanthealththreats;

•Collectingandanalyzingpestdata,both

intheUnitedStatesandoverseas,to

identifyandevaluatepathwaysforthe

introductionandmovementofinvasive

plantpestsandweeds;

•PartneringwiththeU.S.Department

ofHomelandSecurity(DHS)topre-

venttheintroductionofagricultural

pestsanddiseasesthroughportsof

entry;and

•Establishingrequirementsforand

facilitatingthesafeimportandexport

ofagriculturalproducts.

PlantHealth

manywatchfuleyes
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Astheworldchangesandtechnologyadvances,so

mustthestrategiesforplantprotection.Fromcornthat

resistsinsectpeststocottontoleranttoherbicides,newGE

organismsarebeingtestedandintroducedonanongoing

basis.ThroughitsBiotechnologyRegulatoryServicespro-

gram,APHISensuresthatnewlydevelopedGEorganismsdo

notposearisktoU.S.agricultureandtheenvironment.

ProtectingPlantHealthThroughRigorousOversight

ofNewlyDevelopedGEOrganisms

Throughacomprehensiveprogramofrigorousregulatory

oversight,APHISrequiresthatapplicantswantingto

move,import,orfieldtestanewlydevelopedGE

organismsubmitdetailedinformationforthorough

reviewbyourscientiststoassessplantpestrisksor

potentialenvironmentalimpactsbeforetheintroduction

canbeallowed.Uponcompletionoffieldtesting,

developerscanpetitionAPHIStodeterminenonregulated

statusforaGEorganismoncetheyhavegathered

sufficientinformationtodemonstratethatthenewGE

varietydoesnotposeaplantpestriskandissafetobe

grownintheenvironmentwithoutregulatoryoversight.

BeforeAPHISdeterminesnonregulatedstatus,our

scientistsmustconcludethatthenewGEvarietyisjust

assafeforagricultureandtheenvironmentas

traditionallybredcropvarieties.

Since1987,whenweapprovedthefirstfieldtrialforGE

plants,APHIShasissuedmorethan36,000fieldtrialand

movementauthorizationsandmadedeterminationsof

nonregulatedstatusinresponsetopetitionsformore

than90GEproducts.OnceAPHISdeterminesthatanew

GEorganismmaybemovedandplantedwithoutour

regulatoryoversight,andtheproductalsocompletesany

applicablereviewsatotherFederalagencies,thedevel-

opermaychoosetobringthatproducttomarket.Many

GEorganismswithnonregulatedstatushaveentered

commercialproduction,someonalargescale.

SupportingProgressandQualityinBiotechnology

APHISworkscontinuouslytoensurethatitsGEregula-

torysystemisstrong,dynamic,andresponsivetothe

ever-evolvingfieldofbiotechnology.Engagingthepublic

andourmanystakeholdersinagencyprocedures,

decisions,andactivitiesisessentialtothiswork.For

example,ourscience-basedreviewofnewlydeveloped

GEproductsincludessolicitingpublicinputearlyinthe

petitionprocess.Thisenablesustoincorporatefeed-

backinourinitialreviewandenhancethequalityofour

environmentalanalyses.

Inaddition,APHISofferscontinuouseducationand

outreachtotheregulatedcommunity,includingthe

BiotechnologyQualityManagementSystem(BQMS)

Program.Thisprogramoffersorganizationsinbiotech-

nologyresearchanddevelopmentspecifictoolsand

guidancetoimprovetheircompliancewithAPHIS

regulationsandawarenessofregulatoryresponsibilities.

“APHISprovides

oversightof

certainGE

organismsto

protectagainst

plantpestrisks

toU.S.agricul-

tureandthe

environment.”

manysafeguards

Biotechnology

Regulatory

Services

Throughascience-basedregulatory

framework,BiotechnologyRegulatory

ServicesprotectsagainstriskstoU.S.

planthealthby:

•Establishingrequirementsforthesafe

importation,interstatemovement,

andenvironmentalrelease/field

testingofcertaingenetically

engineered(GE)organisms;

•Evaluatingpotentialplantpestrisks

associatedwithGEorganisms;

•Achievingcompliancewithourbiotech-

nologyregulationsthroughavarietyof

measures,includinginspections,

educationalandoutreachefforts,

investigations,andaudits;

•RemovingfromoversightGEplants

thatdonotposeaplantpestrisk;and

•WorkingincoordinationwiththeU.S.

FoodandDrugAdministrationandthe

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency

toensurethatthedevelopmentand

testingofbiotechnologyproducts

occurinamannerthatissafefor

plantsandanimals,humanhealth,

andtheenvironment.

Biotechnology
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Morethanever,weliveinaninterconnected,truly

globaleconomy.That’swhy,asrecognizedexpertsin

theassessmentandregulationofrisksassociatedwith

tradeinagriculturalproducts,officialswithAPHIS’Inter-

nationalServicesprogramcollaboratewithanimaland

planthealthcounterpartsthroughouttheworldto

mitigateagriculturalpestanddiseaserisksthataffect

themtodayandcouldsubsequentlyaffectU.S.producers.

Thestrongerourinternationalanimalandplanthealth

networkis,thesaferourinternationaltradewillbe.

BuildingAnimalandPlantHealthCapacityOverseas

WithinthelargermissionofAPHIS,onekeygoalisto

betterenableforeignofficialstoaddressmanyofthe

sameanimalandplanthealthissuesAPHISworksto

preventhereintheUnitedStates.Bypartneringwithother

countriestocontrolanimalandplantpestsanddiseases,

wesignificantlyreducetheriskofthembeingintroducedin

ourcountryorimpactingthefreeflowofcommoditiesand

peopleacrossourborder.Anareaofprimaryfocusis

cosponsoringcooperativeforeignanimalandplantpestand

diseasemitigationanderadicationprogramstopreventthe

spreadoverseas—andreintroductiondomestically—of

threatsalreadyeliminatedintheUnitedStates.

MinimizingPestandDiseaseRisksOffshore

APHISconductspestanddiseasesurveillanceandrisk

mitigationactivitiesoutsidetheUnitedStatestoaddress

thechallengesposedbyever-increasingamountsof

internationaltravelandtrade.Inanefforttomitigatethe

risksofexoticpestsanddiseaseswheretheyoriginate,

ratherthanaftertheyreachtheUnitedStates,our

officialsstationedaroundtheworldcollaboratewith

foreigncounterpartsonsurveillance,diagnostics,and

controlofpriorityagriculturalthreats.Theyaddress

animalandplantpestsanddiseasesofconcern,aswell

ascapacitybuildingneedstohelpkeepthemovementof

commoditiesandpeoplesafe.

FacilitatingSafeAgriculturalTrade

Underthetermsofprevailinginternationaltradeagree-

ments,APHISisrecognizedastheprimaryU.S.agency

inchargeofanimalandplanthealthissuesassociated

withagriculturaltrade.Inthatcapacity,theagency

facilitatestradebyattestingtothehealthstatusofU.S.

productsbeingexportedandnegotiatingscience-based

tradeagreementswithforeigncountries.APHISplaysa

majorroleinbuildingandmaintainingstrongagricultural

traderelationsbetweentheUnitedStatesandother

countries.Throughtheircloseworkwithforeigngovern-

ments,APHISemployeesstationedabroadareinstrumental

inprotectingexistingmarketsandopeningupnewmarkets

foragriculturaltradeworldwide.Providingassistanceand

informationasneeded,ourofficialsalsobecomeinvolved

whenashipmentisdetainedataforeignportduetohealth

documentationorpest/diseaseissues.Additionally,APHIS

workshardtoreducenon-science-basedsanitaryand

phytosanitarytraderestrictionsplacedonU.S.exports.

DevelopingInternationalStandards

ThroughourworkwiththeWorldOrganizationforAnimal

Health,theInternationalPlantProtectionConvention,

andtheJointCodexAlimentariusCommission,APHIS

veterinaryandplanthealthscientistsandofficials,along

withcounterpartsfromaroundtheworld,playacrucial

roleinsettinginternationalstandardsforanimaland

planthealthandfoodsafety.Creatingharmonizedstan-

dardsforagriculturaltrademinimizestradelossesfor

shippersandencouragesexports.Thesescience-based

standardsaredesignedtoprotectthehealthofcon-

sumers,animals,andplantsagainstagriculturalpestsand

diseaseswhileincreasingtradeopportunitiesworldwide.

“Workingwith

scientistsand

officialsaround

theworld,

westriveto

makeglobal

agricultural

tradesafe,

predictable,

andfair.”

manyfrontiers

International

Services

InternationalServicesprovidesanimaland

planthealthexpertisetoprotectAmerican

agricultureandfacilitatesafeagricultural

tradearoundtheworldby:

•Managingcooperativeagricultural

healthprogramsinothercountriesto

ensurethatforeigndiseasesandpests

suchasscrewwormandMediterranean

fruitflyarenotintroducedintothe

UnitedStates,

•Providingtrainingandtechnicalsupportto

buildglobalanimalandplanthealth

infrastructures,

•Helpingestablishandpromotetheuse

ofinternationalanimalandplanthealth

standardstopreventthespreadof

pestsanddiseases,

•Monitoringandprovidingepidemiological

informationonsignificantanimaland

plantpestsanddiseasesworldwide,

•Facilitatingtheentryofshipments

containingU.S.agriculturalproductsat

foreignportsofentry,and

•Negotiatingtradeprotocolstoexpand

marketsforU.S.exportersandensure

adiverserangeofagriculturalproducts

isavailableyearroundforAmerican

consumers.

GlobalTrade
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Formorethan40years,CongresshasentrustedAPHIS

withtheresponsibilitytoensurethewelfareofanimals

coveredundertheAnimalWelfareActandtheHorse

ProtectionAct.Today,throughitsAnimalCareprogram,

APHIScontinuestoprotectmillionsofanimalseach

year,nationwide.

EnsuringHumaneTreatment

Overtheyears,APHIShasworkedtoensuremore

humaneandmorehealthyconditionsforanimalsby,

amongotherthings,establishingexerciserequirements

fordogsincommercialbreedingkennelsandensuring

thepsychologicalwell-beingofnonhumanprimatesin

medicalresearchfacilities.APHISisalsoworkingtoend

soring—thecruelandinhumanepracticeofapplying

irritantstoahorse’sforelegstoenhancetheanimal’s

gaitandscorehigherincompetitiveshows.Wework

withthehorseindustrytoprotectagainstsuchabuseby

ensuringthatonlysoundandhealthyhorsesparticipate

inhorseshows,exhibitions,sales,andauctions.

Toensurethatregulatedanimalsarereceivinghumane

careandtreatmentaccordingtoFederalstandards,APHIS

inspectorsconductunannouncedinspectionsatmany

differenttypesoffacilities,includingzoos,circuses,

marinemammalparks,researchfacilities,commercial

airports,andcommercialdog-breedingkennels.

NotJustMeeting,ButExceedingtheStandards

ofCareandTreatment

APHIS’veterinarymedicalofficersandanimalcare

inspectorsarecommittedtohelpinglicensedandregistered

entitiesnotjustmeet,butexceedtherequirementsofthe

AnimalWelfareActandtheHorseProtectionAct.Our

employeesarewellversedinareassuchasanimalhousing,

nutrition,andtransportation,andwehaveextensive

experienceinthecareandhandlingoftheanimalsthat

comeunderourregulations.Eachyear,ourspecialists

participateindozensofinternational,national,regional,

andlocalmeetingsandconferenceswithstakeholders

andmembersofregulatedindustries.Inaspiritof

cooperation,wealsoofferlicenseesandregistrants

informativeworkshopsonvariousanimalwelfaretopics

tohelpthembetterunderstandFederalstandardsand

thusprovidemorehumanecaretotheiranimals.

SavingPetsToSaveLives

Inthefaceofemergenciesanddisasters,manycitizens

willnotevacuatetheirhomeswithoutknowingthattheir

petswillbecaredforproperly.Thesafemovement,hous-

ing,husbandry,andreunificationofhouseholdpetswith

theirownersrequirebothlogisticalandveterinary

expertise.That’swhyAPHISworkscloselywithother

governmentorganizationsundertheFederalEmergency

ManagementAgency’s(FEMA)NationalResponse

Frameworktodevelopanintegratedapproachtodisaster

reliefforpets.Providingtechnicalexpertiseaswellas

planningandcoordinationsupport,ouranimalwelfare

expertshelpStatesandlocalitiespreparetoprovidefor

thesafetyandwell-beingofpetsduringdisasters.We

serveasapowerfulplanningresourcethatStateand

localofficialscanturntoinadvanceofadisaster.And

duringaresponse,wecanoftenprovideacriticalinjection

ofmanpowerandexpertisewhereit’sneededmost.

“APHISgives

protectionto

millionsof

animals

eachyear,

nationwide.”

manycaringhands

AnimalCare

AnimalCareprotectsandpromotesthe

welfareofcertainwarm-bloodedanimals

bredforcommercialsale,usedinresearch,

transportedcommercially,orexhibitedto

thepublicby:

•Developingacceptablestandardsof

humanecareandtreatmentforanimals

regulatedundertheAnimalWelfareAct

andtheHorseProtectionAct;

•Proactivelyworkingtoeliminatethe

soringofhorsesthroughinspections,en-

forcementactions,andoutreachefforts;

•Helpingregulatedentitiesadhereto

Federalstandardsthroughinspections,

cooperativeefforts,outreachinitiatives,

and,whennecessary,enforcement

actions;and

•Providingnationalleadershiponthe

safetyandwell-beingofhouseholdpets

duringdisasters.

Animal

Welfare
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Wildlifeisanimportantpublicresourcehighlyvalued

bytheAmericanpeople.Byitsverynature,however,

wildlifeisdynamicandmobile—andcandamage

agriculturalandenvironmentalresourcesandposerisksto

humansafetyandhealth.APHIS’WildlifeServicesprogram

providesleadershipincreatingabalancethatallowspeople

andwildlifetocoexist.APHIS’wildlifemanagersmust

thoughtfullyconsidernotonlytheneedsofthosedirectly

affectedbywildlifedamage,butalsoarangeofenvironmental,

sociocultural,andeconomicfactors.Ourwildlifebiologists

andtechniciansprovidebiologicallysound,environmentally

safe,sociallyacceptable,and—wheneverpossible—nonlethal

responsestowildlifeconflicts.

ProtectingAgriculturalResources

Despiteproducers’besteffortstoprotecttheirlivestockand

crops,millionsofdollarsindamageiscausedeachyearby

wildlife.APHISworkstoreducethisdamagebyproviding

producerswithbothtechnicalanddirectmanagement

assistancetoresolvewildlifeconflicts.Fromrecom-

mendationsonhabitatmodificationorhusbandrypractices

toreducethelikelihoodofwildlifedamagetocapturingand

relocatingpredatorsthatarepreyingonlivestock,APHIS

actsasaprotectivebufferbetweenwildlifeandagriculture

SafeguardingNaturalResources

APHISworksineveryStateandseveralU.S.Territoriesto

protectandpreservenaturalresources,suchaswetland

habitats,forests,andthreatenedandendangeredspecies

thatarevitalpartsofAmerica’suniquelandscape.Our

scientistsandwildlifebiologists,partneringwiththeU.S.

DepartmentoftheInterior’sFishandWildlifeService,State

wildlifemanagementagencies,landowners,andothers,help

protectmorethan100threatenedandendangeredplants,

birds,mammals,reptiles,amphibians,fish,andinsects.

ProtectingPropertyandInfrastructure

Eachyear,wildlifecostspropertyownersmillionsofdol-

larsindamage.Throughresponsiblewildlifedamage

management,APHISprotectshomes,lawns,landscap-

ing,golfcourses,parks,pets,equipmentandmachinery,

industrialfacilities,andotherproperty.APHISisalso

frequentlycalledupontoprotecturbanandruralinfra-

structurefromwildlifethreats.Roads,bridges,dams,

waterdrainagesystems,andutilitiesarevulnerableto

damagefromwildlifesuchasbeaverandbirds.

ProtectingPublicHealthandSafety

Unfortunately,wildlifecanposesignificantthreatsto

publichealthandsafety—fromwildlifediseasesthat

canaffectdomesticanimalsandhumanstobirdsand

animalsthatcollidewithaircraftduringtakeoffandlanding.

Throughabalancedeffortinvolvingresearchandwildlife

management,APHISbiologistsarecreatingaprotective

bufferbetweenwildlifeandpeople.Since1995,APHIShas

beenworkingcooperativelywithlocal,State,andFederal

government,universities,andotherpartnerstopreventthe

furtherspreadofwildliferabiesandeventuallyeliminate

thediseaseintheUnitedStatesthroughanintegrated

programthatinvolvestheuseoforalrabiesvaccination

targetedtowildanimals.Wearealsocollaboratively

engagedineffortstoreducepopulationsofferalswine,

whichalreadycauseover$1.5billionindamageannually

andcarrymorethan30diseasesthatposeapotential

threattohumans,livestock,andwildlife.Andtohelp

preventpotentiallydangerousinteractionsbetweenwildlife

andaircraft,APHISbiologistsprovideairportoperators

acrosstheNationwithadviceandrecommendationsonhow

tokeeprunwaysandflightpathsclearofwildlife.

“APHISactsas

aprotective

bufferbetween

wildlifeand

people.”

WildlifeServices

WildlifeServicesprovidesFederalleader-

shipandexpertisetoresolveconflicts

betweenpeopleandwildlifeandallow

themtocoexistpeacefullyby:

•Protectingagriculture;

•Protectingnaturalresources,including

threatenedandendangeredspecies;

•Protectingpropertyandinfrastructure;and

•Protectingpublichealthandsafety.

WildlifeDamage

Management

manysolutions
O

NEMISSION:ProtectingAmerica’sAgriculturalandNaturalResources

21

Whenadisasterstrikes,APHISispreparedtorespond.

Fromagriculturalpestanddiseaseoutbreakstonatural

disasterslikehurricanesandfloodstothreatsofagro-

terrorism,APHIShastheexpertiseandtheinfrastructure

necessarytoprotectanimals,plants,naturalresources,

andpeople.

CombatingPestsandDiseases

Astheleadnationalagencyforanimalandplant

emergencies,APHIShasdevelopedandimplementeda

science-basedframeworkdesignedtoprovideoptimum

protectionagainstpestsanddiseases.BasedonFEMA’s

NationalResponseFramework,ouractivitiesareorgan-

izedaroundtheprinciplesofprevention,preparedness,

response,andrecovery.Beforeanemergency,wework

diligentlytoensurethatouremergencymanagement

plans,procedures,andtrainingarecurrentwiththe

highestnationalandinternationalstandards.Duringan

emergency,wecoordinateactionswithotherFederal,

State,andlocalentitiestocontain,control,oreradicate

thepestordisease.Andfollowinganemergency,we

providelong-termstabilityandprotectionfrompestor

diseaserecurrencethroughtheimplementationof

regulations,educationaboutbestmanagementand

biosecuritypractices,andsupportforrestoration.

APHIScoordinatesemergencyresponse

effortsthatprotectthehealthandvalueof

U.S.agricultural,natural,andother

resources.Thisworkincludes:

•Operatingandmaintainingthestate-of-the-

artAPHISEmergencyOperationsCenter;

•MonitoringthreatstoU.S.agriculture

andfoodsectors;

•CoordinatingwithDHSandotherFederal

andStateemergencymanagement

entities;

•Collectinganddisseminatingagricul-

turalinformation,technology,and

expertiserelatingtoterrorismand

homelandsecurity;

•Developingstrategiesandpoliciesfor

effectiveincidentmanagement;

•Coordinatinganddirectinganimaland

planthealthemergencyincident

responseefforts;

•Providingsupportduringall-hazards

emergencies;and

•Conductingtrainingexercisestoensure

personnelarereadyforemergency

responsework.

Emergency

Response

Supporting“AllHazards”Emergencies

UnderEmergencySupportFunction#11ofFEMA’s

NationalResponseFramework,APHISistaskedwitha

keyroleinrespondingtoemergencyincidents—

including“allhazards”emergenciesthatmaybe

unrelatedtooutbreaksofanimalandplantpestsand

diseases.TheuniqueskillsofAPHISemployees,coupled

withourvastnetworksofdiagnosticandresearchlabo-

ratories,veterinarystockpiles,andotherassets,make

usvaluablepartnersinrespondingtoawiderangeof

emergencies—fromrecoveringandprotectingwildlife

impactedbyanenvironmentaldisaster,suchasanoil

spill,toprovidingfoodtoanimalsstrandedbyblizzards,

hurricanes,orothernaturaldisasters,toassistingStates

andlocalitieswiththeevacuationofpets,andtherefore

residents,indisaster-strickenareas.

PartneringforSuccess

Thekeytoeffectiveemergencyresponseisastrong

networkofpeopletrainedandpreparedtorespond.

Weworkinclosepartnershipwithnationalandinterna-

tionalanimal,plant,andpublichealthprotectionorgani-

zations;Federal,State,tribal,andlocalgovernments;

universities;industries;andprivateentitiestodevelop

strategiesandpoliciesforeffectiveincidentmanagement

andtocoordinateincidentresponses.

“Whenadisaster

strikes,APHIS

isprepared

torespond.”

manyresponsibilities
W

ithanextensivenetworkoflaboratoriesandresearch

facilities,APHISdrawsfromamongthemostadvancedand

specializedscientificresourcesavailabletoday.

AdvancingtheScienceofSafeguarding

APHISreliesontheuniqueskillsofitshighlytrained

staff—aswellasitsunmatchedaccesstothemost

advancedtechnicalresources—forthebenefitofU.S.

agriculture,producers,andconsumers.Fromourwork

onbiocontroltechniquestowildlifefertilitymanagement

andmoleculardiagnostics,APHISkeepsAmericaonthe

cuttingedgeofagriculturalscience.

APHIS’scientificfacilitiesincludethe:

•

CenterforPlantHealthScienceandTechnology,

wherescientistsevaluaterisksassociatedwiththe

introductionofplantpestsanddevelopmethodsto

exclude,detect,andmanageinvasiveplantpests

andweeds;

•

CentersforEpidemiologyandAnimalHealth,

wheremultidisciplinaryspecialiststrackemerging

animalhealththreats,monitorU.S.livestock

managementandproduction,designcomprehensive

animalhealthsurveillanceprograms,and

conductriskassessmentstoidentifysituationsthat

couldimpactthehealthofU.S.animalagriculture;

•

NationalWildlifeResearchCenter,theworld’sonly

researchcenterdevotedentirelytothedevelopmentof

methodsforeffectivewildlifedamagemanagement;

•

NationalVeterinaryServicesLaboratories(NVSL),

theNation’spremieranimalhealthdiagnosticlaboratory

andWorldAnimalHealthOrganizationreference

laboratoriesforanimaldiseasesofimportance;

•

ForeignAnimalDiseaseDiagnosticLaboratory,

ahigh-securitybiocontainmentfacility,partofthe

NVSL,whereexpertsdiagnoseanddeveloptestsfor

foreignanimaldiseasesthatthreatenU.S.animalagricul-

ture,aswellasmaintainforensiccapabilitiesthatcanbe

usedintheeventofpotentialbioterroristreleases;

•

NationalAnimalHealthLaboratoryNetwork,

anextensiveandintegratedsystemofFederal,State,

anduniversitylaboratories,ledbyNVSL,thatprovide

animaldiseasediagnosticservicesinbothroutineand

emergencysituations,includingbioterrorismevents;

•

CenterforVeterinaryBiologics,theNation’ssole

laboratoryinvolvedinthetestingandregulationof

commercialveterinarybiologics(vaccinesand

diagnostickits)intheUnitedStates;and

•

CenterforAnimalWelfare,whereAPHISspecialists

collaboratewithadiversenetworkofexternal

partnersandexpertstoserveasanationaland

internationalresourceforanimalwelfarescience,

training,education,andpolicystrategy.

“APHISkeeps

Americaon

thecutting

edgeof

agricultural

science.”

manyadvancedfacilities

APHISdevelopsandappliesscientific

methodstobenefitagriculturalproducers

andconsumers,protectthehealthof

domesticanimalandplantresources,

sustainagriculturalecosystems,and

promoteanimalwelfareby:

•Identifyingandanalyzingpestand

diseasepathways,

•Conductingdiagnostictesting,

•Developingandadaptingtechnologies,

•Conductingriskassessments,and

•Servingasaleaderandresourcein

agriculturalscienceandbestpractices.

SoundScience

ONEMISSION:ProtectingAmerica’sAgriculturalandNaturalResources

23
Many goals. One mission. Even as the challenges and responsibilities

have grown for APHIS and its employees, our mission has not

changed—it’s only become more important.

APHIS’ overarching goal is a healthy and profitable American agricultural sector that can

feed and clothe the world while providing the basis for a thriving U.S. economy. Today,

fulfilling this mission means many things. It means ensuring the health of our animal and

plant resources both at home and as they move through the global marketplace. Guarding

against the introduction or re-emergence of animal and plant pests and diseases that could

limit agricultural production and damage export markets. Collaborating with public health

partners to mitigate the impact of zoonotic diseases. Monitoring and responding to potential acts of

agricultural bioterrorism, as well as to invasive species, disease outbreaks, and conflicts between

people and wildlife. It means eliminating trade barriers and ensuring the humane treatment of

animals. And it means making sure that biotechnology-derived agricultural products are safe for

release into the environment.

As our Nation’s agricultural needs and complexities multiply in the years and decades ahead,

it’s the goal of APHIS to adapt proactively as new challenges occur. Our experienced cadre of

scientists, veterinarians, biologists, and other professionals are better prepared than ever to

protect America’s agricultural and natural resources well into the 21st century and beyond.

And in serving the American public, APHIS will constantly strive to improve and deliver our

services in a way that is cheaper, faster, and more effective for American agriculture,

farmers and ranchers, and the public.

m That’s our goal, our mission...and our promise.any opportunities ahead
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Revised February 2014

Program Aid No. 2022

www.aphis.usda.gov

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service