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Containment Facility Inspections

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One of the purposes of PPQ permits is to prevent the dissemination of plant pests

into or through the United States. As a consequence, PPQ may only issue permits for

certain organisms when the receiving facility can adequately contain the organisms

so as to prevent dissemination of the organisms.

Containment of regulated organisms may be accomplished by a combination of

proper handling of the regulated organisms and by physical and security attributes

of the premises where the regulated organisms will be held. PPQ containment

specialists can determine the adequacy of a facility either by a computer assisted

facility evaluation (CAFÉ) or by a full inspection which includes an on-site inspection

of the facility. 

All facilities with PPQ -regulated organisms may be inspected at any time by agency

officials during normal business hours.

Criteria used to Determine the Kind of Evaluation

(CAFÉ or Full) Needed Before Permit Issuance:
Guidance for Containment Evaluation of Arthropod/Snail Permit Applications

When Containment is Required

Guidance for Containment Evaluation of Plant Pathogens and Noxious Weeds

Permit Applications When Containment is Required

Guidance for Containment Evaluation of Diagnostic Permit Applications

Related Information

If you are applying for a PPQ permit that meets the criteria for an inspection and

your facility or laboratory has not been previously inspected, then you should

anticipate a one to three month delay in processing your application.

When PPQ evaluates the containment capabilities of a facility, physical and

operational characteristics are examined relative to the risks of the organisms and

their methods of actual or potential dispersal from the facility. The operational

characteristics of the facility are developed by the applicant and the attached

Outline for Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) may be used to prepare this

document. For butterflies, use the attached Outline for Standard Operating

Procedures. These documented operational features will be confirmed during the

inspection.

Containment Guidelines for Educational Displays of Adult, Butterflies and Moths

(Lepidoptera)

Containment Facility Guidelines for Noxious Weeds and Parasitic Plants

Containment Guidelines for Non-Indigenous, Phytophagous Arthropods and

Their Parasitoids and Predators

Containment Guidelines for the Receipt, Rearing and Display of Non-Indigenous

Arthropods in Zoos, Museums, and Other Public Displays

Containment Guidelines for Plant Pathogenic Nematodes

Containment Guidelines for Non-Indigenous Snails

Containment Guidelines for Plant Pathogenic Bacteria

Containment Facility Guidelines for Viral Plant Pathogens and Their Vectors

Containment Facility Guidelines for Fungal Plant Pathogens

Before beginning construction of a containment facility, you should contact Pest

Permit Evaluations staff and discuss our containment requirements with a

Containment Facility Evaluation Specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions

View a list of the commonly asked questions and concerns associated with

containment facility inspections.

Contact Information

USDA, APHIS, PPQ, PHP, PPB

4700 River Road, Unit 133 

Riverdale, MD 20737 

Telephone: 866.524.5421 

Fax: 301.734.5392

Email: Pest.Permits@usda.gov