| USDA and DHS Protecting Agriculture at U.S. Ports of Entry |
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| Written by Farm Compliance | |
| Friday, 02 May 2008 | |
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Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held a Success through Partnership conference in Washington, D.C. to update agricultural stakeholders on the departments' joint effort to strengthen the delivery of the agriculture mission.
DHS and USDA are partners in protecting American agriculture against the introduction of unwanted plant pests and foreign animal diseases at our nation's ports of entry. "While we cannot inspect our way to a threat-free import system, we can take steps throughout the process to keep pests and diseases from ever making it to our ports of entry," said Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer. "This meeting gave USDA and DHS an opportunity to exchange ideas with stakeholders and showcase the significant strides we've made--and continue making--to further protect American agriculture." The event included discussions on the activities and progress of DHS' U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) initiatives. Participants also were updated on the efforts of the Joint Agency Task Force and the newly established Federal-State Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Partnership Council. Conference speakers included Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer. The Joint Agency Task Force (Task Force) was formed last April to address concerns about the Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI) program and explore ways to strengthen the DHS and USDA partnership. The Task Force already has taken action that will have a significant impact on the AQI program. |
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