Source: https://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/gao-12-884sp/results.htm
Timestamp: 2018-01-18 10:10:18
Document Index: 639041450

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 6']

GAO Survey of Agriculture Specialists in Customs and Border Protection
Part 2 - Information From Former USDA PPQ Officers
Part 3 - Your Work at CBP
Part 3 - Your Work at CBP (Continued)
Part 4 - Questions for Canine Handlers
Part 5 - Your Views and Opinions About Working at CBP
Part 6 - Your Comments
Completing Your GAO Survey
The U.S. Congress has asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), an audit and evaluation agency of the Congress, to review agricultural inspections at U.S. ports of entry. We are conducting this survey to help us more fully understand the work of CBP Agriculture Specialists who do these inspections.
It is important that you respond so that views of Agriculture Specialists from all ports are represented in the results.
To learn more about completing the survey, printing your responses, and whom to contact if you have questions, _____.
Please click on "Next page" below to begin our survey.
1. What is your job title at CBP?
All Agriculture Specialists and Supervisors at CBP
78.4, 86.1
Agriculture Specialist/Canine Handler
Supervisory Agriculture Specialist
Chief Agriculture Specialist
If you checked 'Other' in Question 1, please specify your job title.
2. For which of the following pathways did you conduct agricultural inspections during the past year? (Please check all that apply.)
1. Not applicable, did not conduct inspections during the past year
94.0, 98.4
1.6, 6.0
58.0, 68.5
31.5, 42.0
3. Air Passenger
36.8, 47.9
52.1, 63.2
58.1, 69.0
31.0, 41.9
5. Maritime Ship
66.3, 76.3
23.7, 33.7
6. Maritime Passenger
76.9, 85.3
14.7, 23.1
7. Maritime Cargo
68.0, 77.8
22.2, 32.0
78.8, 86.9
13.1, 21.2
9. Passenger vehicles
73.0, 81.5
18.5, 27.0
74.5, 82.8
17.2, 25.5
78.1, 86.1
13.9, 21.9
12. USPS Mail
86.1, 93.1
6.9, 13.9
13. Express Mail
80.3, 88.7
11.3, 19.7
14. Inland Inspection
93.3, 98.0
15. Rail Cargo
85.1, 91.9
8.1, 14.9
16. Rail Passenger
94.4, 98.7
1.3, 5.6
17. Other - Please specify below.
91.9, 97.2
If you checked 'Other' in Question 2, please specify the other pathway.
3. Were you employed by USDA as a PPQ Officer prior to March 2003?
Yes - Please click on Next Page
31.3, 42.1
57.9, 68.7
4. Which of the following inspection activities did you regularly perform as a PPQ Officer prior to being transferred to CBP, and which do you regularly perform now? (Please check all that apply.)
a. Boarding aircraft
PPQ Officer
Former USDA PPQ Officers
50.7, 63.7
36.3, 49.3
2. Regularly perform
now as a CBP
74.9, 85.4
14.6, 25.1
3. Have never
92.9, 98.4
b. Boarding ships
67.6, 79.1
20.9, 32.4
79.3, 89.1
10.9, 20.7
85.8, 93.6
6.4, 14.2
c. Compliance agreements
67.8, 79.2
20.8, 32.2
81.1, 90.3
9.7, 18.9
87.9, 95.0
5.0, 12.1
d. Compliance checks
60.8, 73.0
27.0, 39.2
76.6, 86.8
13.2, 23.4
91.0, 97.1
2.9, 9.0
e. Disinfection
56.1, 68.8
31.2, 43.9
71.9, 82.8
17.2, 28.1
92.6, 97.9
f. Fumigation
62.7, 74.8
25.2, 37.3
98.1,100.0
0.0, 1.9
84.4, 92.7
7.3, 15.6
g. Roving
60.5, 72.7
27.3, 39.5
75.5, 86.1
13.9, 24.5
91.7, 97.7
2.3, 8.3
h. Safeguarding
49.3, 62.3
37.7, 50.7
63.0, 75.0
25.0, 37.0
96.9, 99.8
0.2, 3.1
i. Other - (Please specify below.)
78.5, 88.4
11.6, 21.5
86.0, 94.1
5.9, 14.0
96.0, 99.8
If you checked 'Other' in Question 4, please specify the inspection activity.
The questions in this section are about your own work, not that of other specialists you might supervise or the work of other specialists at your port.
5. Do you believe that you are sufficiently trained to perform your agriculture inspection duties?
55.8, 66.6
24.3, 34.4
1.0, 4.7
0.0, 1.4
Q01 Agriculture Specialist
50.2, 62.4
27.4, 39.0
1.4, 6.4
2.0, 7.4
Q01 Canine Handler
54.1, 66.8
26.4, 36.5
Q01 Supervisory Agriculture Specialist
70.9, 96.5
1.0, 21.9
0.0, 8.9
0.5, 19.7
Q03 Hired after 2003
44.6, 58.3
29.7, 42.8
2.4, 9.2
0.0, 2.1
Q03 Hired prior to 2003
66.6, 83.0
12.3, 27.5
1.3, 10.2
0.0, 3.6
6. During the past six months about what percentage of your time did you spend on agriculture and non-agriculture CBP duties? (Please enter percentages in boxes. If none, enter 0. Percentage total should be 100.)
6a. Agriculture inspections:
56.8, 63.7
6b. Associated activities in support of
agriculture inspections (e.g., administrative
work, training, etc.):
24.4, 30.6
6c. Customs and immigration inspections:
Question 6 Part C
5.7, 8.5
6d. Associated activities in support of
customs and immigration inspections
(e.g., administrative work, training, etc.):
Question 6 Part D
8.9, 13.6
6e. Work other than that listed above:
Question 6 Part E
4.3, 7.4
7. How accurately does your submitted timecard reflect your time spent in support of the agriculture mission (e.g., conducting agriculture inspections, training, etc.)?
43.2, 54.4
26.8, 37.1
6.5, 13.3
6.7, 13.5
8. Are the following supplies readily available to you? (Please check one in each row.
If you do not use a supply, please select 'Do not use.')
a. Supplies related to conducting pest interceptions (e.g., collection vials)
43.5, 54.7
29.6, 40.4
9.0, 16.9
0.7, 4.2
b. Supplies related to processing agriculture quarantine material interceptions (QMIs) (e.g., garbage bags)
45.7, 56.8
27.5, 38.0
9.3, 17.3
c. Supplies related to conducting agriculture inspections
35.8, 46.8
34.6, 45.6
11.7, 20.3
d. Latex gloves and other personal protective equipment
51.4, 62.4
28.7, 39.3
4.3, 10.1
e. Other supplies - (Please specify below.)
4.1, 12.1
7.2, 16.6
10.0, 20.8
5.3, 14.6
3.5, 11.6
43.3, 57.8
If you indicated 'Other supplies' in Question 8, please specify here.
9. Do you have easy access to USDA regulatory manuals during inspections? (Please check one in each row.)
a. On-line USDA regulatory manuals
46.6, 57.7
25.3, 35.6
6.3, 13.2
3.6, 9.6
0.0, 2.4
b. Current (updated) printed USDA regulatory manuals
14.1, 23.0
11.0, 19.5
7.9, 15.8
30.4, 41.1
10.5, 18.8
10. Do you have enough time to look for pests in agriculture materials intercepted from passengers?
8.2, 15.2
25.9, 36.1
25.1, 35.4
4.9, 10.9
13.4, 22.4
0.9, 4.8
11. How easy or difficult is it for you to get samples to a pest identifier?
27.0, 37.3
28.4, 39.0
11.8, 20.3
0.1, 2.3
12. When you send a sample to a pest identifier, about how long does it usually take to get the results? (Please check one in each row.)
a. Urgent sample
46.9, 58.2
18.3, 27.9
10.0, 18.1
2.7, 7.0
b. Prompt sample
4.2, 10.7
17.1, 26.6
15.5, 24.7
12.1, 20.6
10.8, 19.4
c. Non-ugent sample
3.9, 9.8
8.6, 16.6
18.6, 28.0
36.2, 47.3
5.3, 12.0
3.5, 8.9
13. How are the following types of information delivered to you? If you do not receive a type of information on a regular basis, please respond "Do not receive." (Please check all that apply.)
a. Urgent agriculture alerts
11.1, 19.2
80.8, 88.9
10.7, 19.7
80.3, 89.3
17.9, 41.7
58.3, 82.1
6.0, 33.6
66.4, 94.0
13.4, 24.5
75.5, 86.6
6.9, 18.8
81.2, 93.1
72.5, 81.9
18.1, 27.5
74.7, 84.5
15.5, 25.3
61.8, 87.4
12.6, 38.2
41.5, 77.4
22.6, 58.5
74.4, 85.3
14.7, 25.6
63.3, 80.1
19.9, 36.7
63.7, 74.1
25.9, 36.3
64.5, 75.9
24.1, 35.5
66.3, 75.5
24.5, 33.7
45.5, 80.3
19.7, 54.5
66.1, 78.4
21.6, 33.9
55.1, 72.8
27.2, 44.9
4. DHS CBP intranet webpage (e.g., SharePoint)
85.3, 92.9
7.1, 14.7
84.7, 93.1
6.9, 15.3
94.1,100.0
71.5, 96.5
3.5, 28.5
89.7, 97.2
2.8, 10.3
73.3, 88.5
11.5, 26.7
92.5, 97.5
92.5, 98.1
1.9, 7.5
84.4, 96.6
3.4, 15.6
80.7, 99.5
0.5, 19.3
91.9, 98.1
1.9, 8.1
89.7, 98.2
1.8, 10.3
6. Do not receive
93.6, 97.9
93.7, 98.4
1.6, 6.3
88.3, 98.4
1.6, 11.7
90.9, 97.3
2.7, 9.1
95.8, 99.9
b. Pest alerts
12.8, 20.8
79.2, 87.2
12.0, 21.1
78.9, 88.0
23.2, 44.2
55.8, 76.8
8.7, 38.6
61.4, 91.3
13.5, 24.1
75.9, 86.5
11.1, 25.4
74.6, 88.9
69.8, 79.5
20.5, 30.2
71.6, 82.0
18.0, 28.4
54.9, 75.6
24.4, 45.1
44.8, 80.4
19.6, 55.2
71.4, 82.7
17.3, 28.6
60.5, 77.7
22.3, 39.5
67.9, 77.6
22.4, 32.1
67.9, 78.7
21.3, 32.1
67.0, 85.1
14.9, 33.0
50.0, 83.5
16.5, 50.0
71.6, 83.0
17.0, 28.4
57.0, 74.4
25.6, 43.0
86.3, 93.6
6.4, 13.7
85.6, 93.7
6.3, 14.4
91.1, 99.4
0.6, 8.9
75.4, 98.0
2.0, 24.6
90.2, 97.4
2.6, 9.8
75.3, 90.1
9.9, 24.7
92.8, 97.7
2.3, 7.2
82.1, 99.8
91.8, 97.9
90.4, 99.0
93.0, 97.5
93.0, 98.0
87.0, 97.9
2.1, 13.0
90.1, 96.9
3.1, 9.9
95.1, 99.8
13.4, 21.6
78.4, 86.6
12.2, 21.4
78.6, 87.8
19.0, 42.4
57.6, 81.0
12.9, 45.8
54.2, 87.1
13.8, 24.6
75.4, 86.2
12.0, 26.8
73.2, 88.0
60.5, 71.2
28.8, 39.5
63.0, 74.4
25.6, 37.0
29.6, 65.6
34.4, 70.4
60.9, 73.7
26.3, 39.1
53.9, 71.9
28.1, 46.1
69.3, 79.1
20.9, 30.7
71.2, 81.7
18.3, 28.8
71.4, 88.4
11.6, 28.6
40.2, 76.3
23.7, 59.8
70.9, 82.5
63.2, 79.9
20.1, 36.8
91.5, 97.0
3.0, 8.5
89.7, 99.0
1.0, 10.3
92.1, 98.3
1.7, 7.9
86.7, 97.0
3.0, 13.3
94.7, 98.6
94.2, 98.8
84.2, 99.9
0.1, 15.8
94.4, 98.8
91.7, 99.2
0.8, 8.3
95.7, 99.0
1.0, 4.3
95.6, 99.3
92.6, 99.8
0.2, 7.4
93.8, 98.8
96.3,100.0
0.0, 3.7
d. Updated pages for agriculture regulatory manual
25.0, 35.2
64.8, 75.0
21.2, 32.0
68.0, 78.8
51.5, 70.9
39.7, 75.5
24.5, 60.3
21.2, 33.2
66.8, 78.8
29.7, 47.8
52.2, 70.3
61.5, 71.9
28.1, 38.5
64.1, 75.3
24.7, 35.9
27.8, 64.0
36.0, 72.2
60.8, 73.6
26.4, 39.2
56.5, 73.9
26.1, 43.5
86.1, 93.0
7.0, 13.9
86.4, 93.9
6.1, 13.6
67.6, 94.6
5.4, 32.4
85.4, 94.1
5.9, 14.6
83.1, 94.7
5.3, 16.9
91.9, 97.3
91.4, 97.4
2.6, 8.6
91.7, 98.1
1.9, 8.3
88.3, 97.9
92.4, 97.5
2.5, 7.6
91.5, 97.4
91.5, 97.8
2.2, 8.5
90.1, 98.8
1.2, 9.9
90.8, 96.1
3.9, 9.2
92.0, 97.4
2.6, 8.0
78.3, 93.1
6.9, 21.7
70.6, 97.0
3.0, 29.4
89.8, 96.4
89.1, 97.7
14. Is the information delivered to you in a timely manner to be useful? (Please check one in each row.)
28.8, 39.4
41.4, 52.5
11.2, 19.5
0.8, 4.1
26.8, 38.3
41.3, 53.6
12.2, 22.0
0.2, 3.2
16.0, 34.5
33.2, 45.9
15.9, 40.6
1.0, 10.4
29.2, 66.5
26.7, 63.8
0.2, 18.4
37.1, 50.6
11.5, 22.3
0.4, 3.9
24.5, 41.8
41.9, 60.5
8.4, 21.7
0.1, 4.0
28.0, 38.6
41.1, 52.3
11.7, 20.1
27.2, 38.9
40.2, 52.6
12.1, 21.8
18.6, 37.7
25.6, 35.3
22.3, 43.8
22.3, 59.1
32.2, 67.6
0.3, 20.1
26.6, 39.7
36.7, 50.4
12.3, 23.3
0.9, 5.2
0.7, 5.1
0.3, 4.4
26.1, 43.7
40.1, 58.7
8.3, 21.5
0.1, 4.3
c. Agriculture regulatory changes
30.2, 40.8
42.3, 53.4
11.2, 19.4
42.1, 54.4
11.6, 21.0
0.0, 1.1
15.3, 33.7
35.2, 48.8
19.5, 43.1
30.2, 67.5
23.4, 60.1
0.8, 21.5
29.1, 42.3
38.6, 52.1
12.0, 22.6
26.9, 44.8
40.6, 59.4
7.6, 20.9
31.5, 42.2
40.3, 51.4
1.8, 5.6
0.3, 3.2
31.3, 43.1
39.8, 52.2
7.2, 15.3
0.9, 5.0
0.1, 2.6
19.4, 38.8
30.6, 49.7
9.3, 25.4
1.6, 11.8
21.6, 58.2
1.4, 23.6
0.2, 20.6
33.2, 46.6
35.5, 48.9
7.2, 16.3
23.7, 41.1
40.4, 59.0
5.3, 16.4
1.4, 9.0
0.5, 6.0
0.2, 6.4
15. How often do you enter the same agriculture data into both USDA and CBP databases because the systems are not compatible?
21.4, 31.4
16.0, 25.1
18.4, 27.8
6.5, 13.1
8.8, 16.6
5.4, 11.7
16. Are you a canine handler? (Please click on one of the buttons below. If you answer 'No' then click on the hyperlink to skip over the questions for canine handlers.)
3.8, 8.7
91.3, 96.2
17. Are the following resources readily available to you? (Please check one in each row.)
a. Funding for veterinary visits
38.7, 63.0
21.1, 43.5
3.8, 16.0
1.2, 28.8
b. Funding for supplies (for example, training aids)
12.6, 33.2
16.0, 33.8
33.8, 58.3
0.9, 27.8
c. Funding for kennel space
60.5, 83.9
3.9, 16.2
1.9, 12.3
0.0, 5.7
2.3, 28.1
d. Space for storage of supplies and practice materials
27.8, 52.1
19.5, 42.4
11.5, 27.8
1.4, 11.0
0.3, 28.9
e. Refrigerator(s) for perishable training materials
61.8, 84.9
8.1, 31.3
2.4, 13.1
0.1, 6.5
f. Other resources - (Please specify below.)
0.2, 10.6
2.3, 17.8
11.3, 46.2
4.5, 22.6
1.6, 16.1
28.5, 64.4
If you indicated 'Other resources' in Question 17, please specify here.
18. During the past year, in your opinion, did your supervisor have adequate agriculture canine expertise to advise you on any work-related concerns?
25.9, 48.2
26.6, 43.4
2.8, 27.9
5.2, 35.9
19. Does CBP management allow you enough time each month to conduct training with your dog?
48.3, 73.5
12.8, 29.7
1.9, 12.0
2.4, 36.4
20. During the past year, about how frequently have you been directed to perform duties outside your primary mission as a Canine Handler?
3.3, 15.1
6.1, 19.9
6.0, 28.6
5.5, 19.0
4.9, 18.0
16.9, 39.4
2.4, 36.6
21. Based on your own experiences, how would you describe the work-related communication between Agriculture Specialists and others listed below? (Please check one in each row.)
a. Agriculture specialists at other ports
5.8, 12.5
24.6, 34.7
15.1, 23.9
23.5, 33.8
8.2, 15.9
5.5, 12.7
25.6, 36.9
14.5, 24.4
21.1, 32.3
8.2, 16.9
0.7, 4.5
11.8, 28.9
12.6, 30.0
36.5, 54.0
4.1, 17.0
2.6, 28.2
9.0, 40.2
5.6, 35.1
20.5, 57.4
3.2, 30.9
2.7, 9.5
22.1, 34.1
15.4, 26.6
25.6, 38.7
7.8, 21.6
23.4, 40.9
9.7, 24.2
16.2, 32.8
5.9, 18.9
0.7, 8.4
b. CBP Officers at your port
10.9, 19.1
31.9, 42.6
30.8, 41.7
8.0, 15.5
10.5, 19.5
30.2, 41.9
29.8, 41.8
9.1, 18.0
34.1, 47.1
31.8, 50.6
6.3, 20.7
9.4, 41.3
27.0, 64.4
16.6, 51.6
9.8, 19.8
27.6, 40.4
32.0, 45.6
10.3, 25.0
33.4, 51.8
21.4, 38.5
5.5, 18.1
c. CBP supervisors
26.5, 36.8
29.2, 40.0
13.5, 21.9
11.5, 21.0
23.9, 35.0
29.8, 41.9
13.3, 23.1
2.8, 14.6
14.4, 32.6
25.8, 35.7
26.2, 46.7
0.6, 9.1
0.0, 3.3
9.2, 39.8
2.1, 25.9
9.4, 19.4
25.6, 38.4
28.8, 42.3
12.4, 22.7
0.3, 4.3
11.3, 26.9
22.8, 39.8
22.3, 39.4
12.6, 28.3
d. CBP chief
22.3, 32.2
23.9, 34.2
5.8, 13.0
21.8, 32.8
23.9, 35.4
21.4, 32.6
2.4, 7.7
13.5, 31.4
35.7, 53.6
2.2, 13.3
8.6, 40.2
15.9, 51.1
10.9, 44.4
5.3, 33.5
0.7, 21.0
5.0, 12.8
23.5, 36.3
25.0, 37.9
17.8, 29.5
3.2, 9.7
0.1, 3.5
16.5, 32.7
15.8, 32.8
23.4, 41.0
0.8, 7.0
1.7, 10.7
e. Port and Assistant Port Directors
4.3, 9.7
18.8, 28.3
28.5, 39.2
6.5, 13.5
1.8, 6.6
3.9, 10.0
16.5, 26.6
18.8, 29.4
27.9, 39.8
7.2, 15.4
0.2, 7.6
7.1, 22.3
12.8, 30.6
48.2, 62.8
2.8, 14.7
1.8, 24.5
18.5, 53.9
7.8, 38.5
13.7, 47.5
1.2, 23.7
2.7, 8.5
16.7, 28.2
21.9, 34.4
25.9, 39.0
6.8, 15.9
4.6, 15.6
16.2, 32.7
8.8, 22.7
28.4, 46.4
3.0, 13.5
3.5, 15.1
f. USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ)
7.7, 15.1
27.4, 38.0
23.4, 33.5
17.1, 26.4
3.6, 8.8
6.8, 14.6
28.6, 40.5
22.1, 33.2
16.3, 26.7
3.4, 9.6
2.2, 13.1
16.8, 35.6
27.1, 47.2
7.0, 21.9
14.5, 47.8
17.8, 53.1
0.1, 16.2
2.5, 8.0
27.8, 41.0
25.5, 38.4
16.2, 27.8
3.9, 11.0
14.5, 31.0
21.1, 38.2
14.2, 29.9
15.6, 32.0
g. USDA Veterinary Services
8.3, 15.9
27.1, 37.5
21.1, 31.0
11.7, 20.2
8.6, 16.0
7.6, 15.9
26.9, 38.3
19.9, 30.7
11.1, 20.7
9.0, 17.7
0.9, 5.4
10.9, 27.7
6.3, 34.7
18.8, 54.3
16.5, 51.7
4.9, 31.9
5.1, 12.8
29.8, 43.0
18.2, 30.1
10.0, 20.3
9.4, 19.3
0.9, 6.0
17.2, 33.3
21.0, 38.1
11.7, 27.4
3.9, 14.4
0.2, 6.1
h. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
2.5, 7.4
13.7, 22.2
17.8, 27.3
16.3, 25.5
14.5, 24.0
16.9, 27.3
16.2, 26.6
2.0, 7.3
5.5, 19.5
2.8, 14.5
1.3, 26.2
7.0, 37.5
14.8, 49.0
6.0, 34.3
11.9, 44.1
15.2, 26.3
15.1, 26.4
16.9, 28.5
21.5, 33.9
8.5, 22.1
17.1, 34.2
11.1, 26.3
25.8, 43.6
i. USDA meat inspectors
1.2, 5.7
6.0, 12.7
6.8, 13.8
10.0, 18.2
52.5, 63.6
6.5, 14.1
6.7, 14.5
51.3, 63.6
3.9, 10.3
1.6, 11.9
10.2, 26.9
59.5, 70.8
3.5, 15.9
0.2, 20.3
0.7, 20.3
38.5, 75.1
0.4, 4.3
8.2, 17.9
6.5, 15.6
10.1, 20.5
49.6, 63.3
2.1, 7.7
0.9, 7.2
4.0, 14.8
7.0, 20.6
51.7, 69.9
5.2, 17.4
j. Fish and Wildlife Service
15.8, 24.8
32.4, 43.3
18.3, 27.8
7.1, 14.3
15.5, 25.6
31.3, 43.3
6.8, 14.8
4.8, 11.9
0.4, 4.1
10.1, 26.6
29.0, 40.0
18.1, 42.0
4.8, 18.3
9.3, 41.2
23.6, 61.6
12.0, 46.7
1.7, 25.8
0.0, 9.5
15.2, 26.6
32.6, 46.1
15.8, 26.9
6.6, 15.8
3.5, 10.8
0.2, 4.3
13.9, 29.6
25.7, 43.6
18.2, 35.7
4.3, 15.6
3.8, 14.7
0.1, 5.7
k. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4.4, 10.5
12.3, 21.0
15.7, 24.8
29.7, 40.2
3.4, 9.3
11.3, 20.8
15.4, 25.5
11.5, 21.2
29.5, 41.3
3.4, 10.0
21.4, 44.2
29.8, 41.2
3.1, 28.1
12.0, 45.7
8.2, 38.8
1.3, 25.1
14.2, 47.4
4.5, 12.5
12.1, 23.2
13.0, 24.2
11.5, 22.2
30.6, 43.7
1.4, 7.2
2.7, 12.9
9.4, 23.7
15.9, 32.5
8.4, 22.8
21.8, 38.6
4.7, 17.3
l. Food and Drug Administration
3.6, 9.3
12.2, 19.7
18.0, 27.5
17.4, 26.8
23.7, 33.9
2.4, 7.6
11.9, 20.8
17.5, 28.1
15.9, 26.4
23.3, 34.7
2.6, 8.7
12.7, 38.6
14.3, 32.3
5.6, 33.5
7.7, 37.8
16.1, 50.4
8.2, 39.9
3.4, 10.8
13.6, 23.8
17.0, 28.8
16.8, 28.7
21.0, 33.4
0.7, 5.8
3.0, 13.2
6.5, 18.5
14.2, 30.4
14.9, 31.1
21.5, 38.6
3.4, 14.7
m. Public Health Service
10.8, 19.3
10.8, 18.9
46.1, 57.4
3.4, 9.2
7.4, 15.7
9.6, 18.5
47.7, 60.2
3.8, 10.6
5.6, 19.7
4.1, 17.2
11.0, 28.0
47.6, 62.2
1.0, 10.5
3.1, 30.8
11.7, 44.2
9.0, 40.8
18.2, 52.8
7.6, 17.3
11.1, 21.7
47.5, 61.3
1.9, 8.2
0.5, 8.0
4.8, 16.2
12.0, 27.8
38.7, 57.2
3.7, 15.2
n. State Departments of Agriculture
9.9, 17.7
10.2, 18.5
15.0, 24.1
39.8, 51.1
2.5, 7.7
1.0, 5.2
9.0, 17.9
14.7, 24.9
40.6, 53.1
3.2, 9.6
13.4, 31.1
50.6, 64.2
0.7, 21.1
12.5, 46.5
9.7, 41.2
6.8, 37.9
11.2, 44.2
0.7, 4.8
7.2, 15.8
8.7, 18.7
13.7, 25.2
43.5, 57.4
1.9, 8.4
11.1, 26.4
9.1, 23.2
13.1, 29.4
27.1, 45.0
2.4, 12.5
o. Other - (Please specify below.)
8.9, 21.3
67.0, 81.3
1.2, 9.4
3.2, 13.4
9.7, 23.7
64.7, 80.7
0.1, 13.8
0.0, 7.6
2.1, 22.5
61.7, 89.8
0.2, 41.3
0.0, 23.8
58.7, 99.8
0.5, 8.7
2.9, 13.9
7.8, 22.1
65.5, 82.9
0.0, 5.4
1.2, 17.4
0.4, 16.2
5.3, 30.2
58.0, 86.8
If you indicated 'Other' in Question 21, please specify here.
22. In your experience, does your port currently have enough Agriculture Specialists to carry out agriculture duties?
4.6, 10.3
10.7, 18.6
4.7, 10.9
16.2, 25.4
44.4, 55.6
10.6, 19.5
4.9, 12.2
16.4, 26.8
40.9, 53.4
8.5, 24.0
2.7, 14.3
16.8, 40.9
38.0, 52.3
1.9, 24.7
61.6, 91.7
11.0, 21.3
13.8, 25.3
43.7, 57.4
6.4, 18.6
4.9, 17.1
15.2, 31.4
42.1, 60.7
23. How prepared do you feel you are for your duties as an Agriculture Specialist?
56.2, 67.0
24.8, 34.9
Neither prepared nor unprepared
1.6, 5.6
2.2, 7.4
55.2, 67.3
24.6, 36.0
0.2, 3.7
39.5, 56.1
50.7, 84.6
0.2, 18.2
49.3, 63.0
27.0, 40.1
2.2, 8.3
2.3, 9.2
63.3, 79.4
16.6, 32.1
0.1, 6.2
24. In general, do you feel that the work of a CBP Agriculture Specialist is respected by CBP Officers and Management? (Please check one in each row.)
a. CBP Officers
4.9, 11.2
15.3, 23.9
12.8, 21.5
22.9, 33.0
22.5, 32.6
4.7, 11.6
14.1, 23.5
22.2, 33.5
24.3, 35.9
13.6, 38.9
19.2, 38.5
12.6, 45.1
8.0, 39.1
11.5, 43.6
2.9, 27.6
3.9, 11.5
14.5, 25.3
10.5, 20.7
22.9, 35.7
22.4, 35.0
4.9, 16.7
12.7, 27.9
12.1, 27.8
16.7, 33.1
18.3, 35.4
b. CBP Management
3.3, 8.6
11.2, 18.9
11.5, 20.0
37.7, 48.8
3.3, 9.5
9.6, 17.9
11.9, 21.5
14.9, 25.0
38.3, 50.7
6.2, 20.5
4.8, 18.1
10.8, 27.5
50.0, 63.7
11.3, 43.2
4.2, 31.9
10.6, 43.4
13.9, 48.0
11.3, 21.5
13.2, 24.4
35.0, 48.8
8.3, 20.4
13.3, 29.3
36.3, 55.0
25. With respect to conducting agriculture inspections, performing safeguarding, and processing pest interceptions at your port, how much of a challenge, if any, is presented by each of the following factors? (Please check one in each row.)
a. Sufficiency of training to perform agriculture inspection duties
Very major challenge
2.1, 7.0
7.4, 14.8
20.9, 30.9
23.9, 34.1
23.1, 33.0
2.2, 8.0
19.3, 30.2
23.7, 35.1
22.1, 33.0
17.0, 35.9
19.6, 39.2
25.0, 45.9
0.3, 19.8
19.9, 55.4
10.2, 41.4
13.2, 46.2
1.6, 7.3
5.8, 14.9
21.3, 34.0
23.6, 36.3
22.2, 34.2
1.8, 12.2
6.1, 19.0
15.7, 31.8
19.4, 35.8
19.2, 35.7
1.6, 11.2
b. Amount of time spent on
non-agriculture CBP duties
4.8, 11.1
10.0, 18.0
20.5, 30.5
22.5, 32.4
15.4, 24.1
3.7, 9.5
4.4, 11.5
8.1, 16.3
21.2, 32.4
22.7, 33.9
14.1, 23.4
4.2, 11.1
4.8, 18.4
7.1, 22.1
17.2, 41.6
18.8, 38.1
0.8, 21.0
12.4, 46.8
7.9, 37.6
7.0, 36.1
13.5, 47.6
1.8, 6.9
5.6, 14.0
24.9, 38.1
23.4, 36.1
15.3, 25.9
7.7, 22.0
13.2, 29.1
10.0, 24.4
16.6, 32.6
11.2, 26.4
3.5, 14.9
c. Availability of supplies and equipment
9.5, 17.8
20.1, 29.9
24.5, 34.8
20.6, 30.0
10.0, 19.5
18.4, 29.2
24.2, 35.7
19.6, 30.0
23.5, 44.6
15.1, 33.4
12.7, 45.8
19.4, 54.9
13.0, 45.7
8.7, 19.3
19.1, 31.3
22.6, 35.2
21.9, 33.8
6.6, 19.9
16.3, 32.9
23.6, 40.9
14.5, 30.2
d. Timeliness of information provided to agriculture specialists
2.1, 7.3
7.8, 15.4
19.1, 28.8
25.4, 35.8
21.6, 31.3
6.9, 15.4
19.0, 29.9
24.3, 35.8
20.9, 31.7
1.8, 7.1
17.7, 36.7
9.2, 40.5
12.1, 45.5
1.7, 8.0
6.5, 15.8
16.1, 27.8
25.2, 38.2
24.1, 36.6
6.0, 19.2
19.4, 35.7
20.2, 37.2
13.7, 29.1
e. Staffing levels of agriculture specialists
25.8, 36.3
19.6, 29.3
19.3, 29.1
5.1, 10.5
22.7, 34.3
18.9, 29.6
20.1, 31.2
6.1, 13.8
11.7, 37.9
7.8, 23.1
5.3, 33.1
23.7, 36.6
19.3, 31.7
18.4, 30.5
4.4, 11.2
0.4, 4.4
23.8, 41.5
16.1, 32.3
15.2, 31.7
3.3, 13.3
3.6, 14.4
2.3, 12.8
f. Overtime policy
24.1, 34.4
16.4, 25.2
12.1, 20.8
6.7, 13.2
24.6, 36.2
15.3, 25.3
16.4, 26.4
6.1, 13.4
20.8, 44.2
13.7, 31.7
6.4, 21.1
7.9, 23.6
1.6, 12.0
11.1, 43.8
6.8, 35.7
12.2, 46.3
14.7, 25.9
14.4, 25.3
12.3, 23.4
8.0, 17.0
1.0, 6.2
24.3, 42.1
13.5, 29.0
14.4, 29.9
8.9, 22.7
1.9, 10.4
1.8, 11.3
g. Appropriateness of targeting at the primary inspection level
9.1, 17.1
16.9, 26.4
16.5, 25.7
10.3, 17.8
2.7, 7.8
8.7, 17.7
15.4, 25.8
20.3, 31.3
16.2, 26.4
10.9, 19.6
2.5, 8.2
11.9, 29.2
10.8, 37.6
6.3, 20.9
2.5, 27.2
13.8, 48.9
15.2, 49.4
8.8, 39.2
0.3, 18.6
8.0, 17.6
14.0, 25.7
18.9, 31.1
19.0, 31.2
9.9, 19.1
2.0, 7.9
7.5, 21.4
16.8, 34.0
19.7, 36.1
9.6, 23.8
7.4, 20.0
2.1, 11.6
h. Priority given to the agriculture mission
34.0, 44.9
18.5, 28.0
13.3, 21.4
7.7, 15.0
2.8, 7.7
34.3, 46.6
17.5, 28.0
12.5, 21.6
7.1, 15.0
2.9, 8.8
45.9, 60.8
12.6, 46.7
34.5, 48.2
13.8, 25.0
14.3, 25.3
6.7, 15.3
3.5, 10.6
27.2, 45.0
21.9, 39.4
9.1, 21.9
6.3, 19.3
0.3, 5.8
i. CBP chain of command
24.4, 34.7
17.9, 27.4
17.2, 26.6
7.2, 13.3
8.1, 15.3
2.4, 7.8
23.9, 35.3
14.3, 24.3
6.8, 14.2
32.4, 44.7
19.2, 42.7
8.5, 24.3
12.4, 46.1
25.3, 62.0
2.5, 26.6
23.2, 36.0
16.0, 27.5
15.9, 27.6
6.6, 14.3
9.1, 18.6
21.2, 38.3
17.4, 34.6
13.9, 30.1
5.4, 15.9
3.5, 14.0
2.4, 13.2
j. Other challenge - Please specify below.
19.6, 33.6
5.2, 14.5
0.6, 6.6
0.0, 4.3
53.0, 68.2
18.0, 34.3
4.4, 14.5
0.5, 7.4
53.6, 70.4
25.6, 55.6
2.8, 22.0
0.0, 6.4
35.7, 65.4
5.8, 62.5
1.5, 46.4
0.2, 38.5
0.0, 22.1
22.3, 82.3
19.4, 36.9
3.7, 13.6
54.1, 71.9
13.3, 40.1
4.0, 25.1
1.9, 20.7
0.0, 4.9
40.3, 69.6
If you checked 'Other challenge' in Question 25, please describe that challenge.
26. What is going well with respect to the work of Agriculture Specialists?
GAO Summary of Responses to the Open-ended Question 'What Is Going Well with Respect to Your
Work as an Agriculture Specialist?'
See improvement in inspections or interceptions; positive mentions of the mission
Relationships with co-workers (Working relationships)
Relationships with CBP officers are good; receive respect from coworkers
Like salary, overtime, benefits, retirement system, or work schedule
Equipment, supplies, uniforms
Have tools and supplies needed; likes uniform
Training is going well, have enough knowledge to do job
Receive information from within CBP; good communication with other agencies
Dedicated agriculture specialists
Fellow agriculture specialists are highly-qualified or dedicated
Have access to databases; increased ability to target because of access
'One Face at the Border' initiative
Integration of DHS and USDA good thing; common goals
Flexibility to do job
Given enough flexibility or time to perform job as see fit; flexible job duties
Like my job; feel performing an important mission
Nothing or not much is going well
Overall going well
Overall things are going well (no specifics)
Have a job, get paid
Staffing levels are good/adequate
Statements not frequent enough to be own category
27. What would you like to see changed or improved with respect to the work of Agriculture Specialists?
GAO Summary of Responses to the Open-ended Question 'What Would You Like to See Changed or
Improved with Respect to Your Work as an Agriculture Specialist?'
Problems with CBP chain of command
Want separate chain of command for agriculture; want to be separated from rest of
Not enough staff; heavy workload
Respect or relationships (Working relationships)
Disrespect or lack of comprehension from management or CBP officers regarding mis
Priority given to the agriculture mission
Weakening of agriculture mission; competing priorities prevent agriculture inspec
Salary not enough; lack of promotion opportunities for agriculture specialists; l
Training opportunities missing or unsatisfactory; training for non-agriculture sp
Not enough access to overtime; overtime schedule is inflexible
Policies related to self defense
Concern for personal safety; want to be armed; want self-defense training
Not enough supplies or funding for supplies; difficulty obtaining supplies; inade
Not receiving information from USDA; difficulty communicating with specialists at
Opportunities for temporary assignments
Want opportunities for temporary assignments
Want different uniform for any reason, including to look different than armed co-
Data/paperwork
Entering required data or completing paperwork is time consuming or inefficient
Return to USDA
Agriculture mission should be placed back under USDA
Please continue to the next screen to officially complete your GAO survey.
28. Have you completed your GAO survey?
(Answering "Yes" is equivalent to mailing a completed paper survey to us. It tells us that your answers are official and final.)
Before exiting this survey, you may view and print your responses by clicking on the "Summary"
link in the menu to the left.