This Month in Plant Protection Today - Using Data to Tackle the Dangerous Mail Pest Pathway

Plus: USDA Clarifies Rules for Buying and Selling Seeds and Plants Online From Other Countries

United States Department of Agriculture February 2021 Plant Protection Today   Using Data to Tackle the Dangerous Mail Pest Pathway Ordering online is so easy it can become dangerous for America's agricultural and natural resources. Consumers and companies can order agricultural products with a few mouse clicks, not knowing the seller is overseas. Then the seller could ship illegal seeds, plants, fruits, meats, or other agricultural items via mail from far away. What's inside those foreign packages could introduce devastating animal or plant pests and diseases into our country. The result: severe damage to crops, livestock, poultry, or ecosystems—and the livelihoods of many Americans who depend on those resources. Read more.   USDA Clarifies Rules for Buying and Selling Seeds and Plants Online From Other Countries Following a months-long investigation into thousands of reports from citizens who received unsolicited seed packages in the mail last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is providing additional guidance to help online buyers and sellers comply with U.S. laws when they import seeds and live plants for planting from other countries. The information, available on the APHIS website, will also help protect critical U.S. agriculture infrastructure and natural resources from potential invasive pest and disease threats. Read more.   Check Out These Other Stories How 3 Nations Protect Plant Health Across a Continent During the Pandemic, PPQ Innovates to Deliver Its Mission Tracking the Elusive Asian Giant Hornet The Offshore Greenhouse Certification Program Protecting U.S. Specialty Crops from a Dangerous Disease Multi-Agency Team Acts Fast to Protect U.S. Agriculture Data-Driven Safeguarding   About Plant Protection Today Every day, USDA's Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) employees collaborate with many partners, cooperators, and stakeholders to protect plant health. To stay on the leading edge, PPQ explores scientific frontiers, develops new plant protection methods, and makes critical advancements. These efforts safeguard our nation's agricultural and natural resources while facilitating the safe global trade of agricultural products. Plant Protection Today highlights some of PPQ's most successful and impactful programs and activities. Please send your feedback and comments to: PPQ.Plant.Protection.Today@usda.gov Questions about APHIS programs and services? Contact Us STAY CONNECTED: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help This email was sent to stevenmagallanes520.nims@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service · 4700 River Rd · Riverdale, MD 20737