USDA looks to public for help with pests, diseases

During August the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has been raising awareness about the threat that invasive plant pests and diseases pose to America’s agricultural and natural resources, and is urging residents to help stop their spread.

 

“Preventing foreign pests and diseases from entering the United States and looking for those that are here already are critical functions of APHIS,” said Gregory Parham, APHIS administrator.  “Invasive pests and diseases can impact our communities and the natural landscape, jeopardize the livelihood of our farmers, ranchers and foresters, and alter our ecosystems.  During the month of August, we will share information and tools so that everyone can learn more about these threats and help us take action in the fight against invasive pests.”

 

Using Twitter, USDA Blog posts and individual interactions, APHIS will provide information that the public can use to actively participate in the effort to curtail invasive pests and diseases of plants, such as Asian citrus psyllid, European grapevine moth, Mediterranean fruit fly and sudden oak death.

 

Concerned citizens can find a list of specific actions they can take to protect our nation’s agricultural and ecological health in the APHIS factsheet “Attack of the Invasive Species” here.  

Concerned residents can also gain useful tips and information by following the APHIS Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/#!/usda_aphis.

 

Invasive species can cause harm to the economy, the environment and human health. From Americans returning from foreign travel, to arriving cargo on ships, there is always the potential for dangerous plant pests and microorganisms to enter the country. Many of these pests and diseases have already seriously harmed U.S. industry and urban and rural landscapes. Some scientists estimate that the economic impacts from invasive species exceed $1 billion annually in the United States, in addition to the damage they cause to hundreds of millions of acres of native ecosystems.