The PPA is necessary because of the major impact plant pests currently have and could have on the agriculture, environment, economy, and commerce of the United States. Under the PPA, violators face harsher civil penalties than ever before for smuggling illegal plants or produce that could harbor plant pests or diseases. The PPA gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to subpoena documentary evidence and witnesses to prosecute violators. PPQ has identified eight PPA action areas and established implementation timeframes to ensure that new authorities are fully incorporated into program activities. Publishing regulations for the movement of biological control organisms.
Smugglers also face criminal penalties when the violation is intentional.
The Beagle Brigade is made up of detector dogs that work at international airports and borders to sniff passenger luggage and packages for hidden fruits, vegetables, meats, and other agricultural products that may contain invasive animal or plant pests or diseases. PPQ is currently developing uniform standards for the enforcement of these new civil penalties. The PPA also gives the Secretary of Agriculture the power to issue subpoenas for documents and witnesses to aid in the prosecution of violators. Inspectors look for prohibited agricultural products that could harm American agriculture by bringing in plant pests and diseases. The PPA expands the definition of noxious weed from the definition in the Federal Noxious Weed Act, which included only weeds that were of foreign origin, new to, or not widely prevalent in the United States.