Spotlight
News Article
CPHST and the Plant Inspection Station System
Published in the January 2006 Newsletter
Submitted by Bud Petitdemange, Nichole Levang-Brilz, & Larry Zettler
Plant inspection stations are a critical component in the country's first line of defense against foreign pests and diseases. In addition to their role in inspecting imported plants and seeds, however, they also play a key role in the export process by certifying that U.S. plant products meet all relevant international and country-of-import phytosanitary standards. In conjunction with these functions, the plant inspection stations enforce all rules and regulations pertaining to trade in plant species protected by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). There are 17 plant inspection stations in all. Sixteen handle most of the commercial and non-commercial plant and seed shipments imported into the United States. One-in Beltsville, Maryland-handles import and export inspections of high risk, high value, plant germplasm that is used for plant breeding and experimental purposes.
Although over 2500 PPQ officers were transferred to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, the plant inspection stations were retained as part of PPQ. Moreover, the basic functions performed by these facilities have remained largely unchanged, although previous responsibilities, such as reviewing manifests and holding plant shipments, are now performed by CBP. Coordination with CBP at the local level is thus essential to ensure that cargo is held for inspection, transferred to the plant inspection station and handled appropriately after inspection.
Inspection of bromeliads at the Miami plant inspection station.
Plant inspection stations are currently facing various resource and technical challenges. As the number of plant imports continues to climb, there are increased demands on facility design, equipment and personnel. However, ongoing work conducted by the agency to renovate, standardize and construct new facilities will increase the capabilities of these stations, and future integration of PPQ's databases should improve data entry time. Progress on technical issues, including the development of alternatives to methyl bromide and the expansion in molecular diagnostic techniques available to the plant inspection station system, will further enable these facilities to fulfill their roles.
The relationship between the plant inspection stations and CPHST has been very beneficial, particularly in matters involving commodity treatment. The Treatment Quality Assurance Unit (TQAU), for example, has been instrumental in providing recommendations for treating pest/host combinations not specifically addressed by the PPQ Treatment Manual. Through this cooperation, trade has been enhanced without reduction in the standards critical to the PPQ safeguarding mission.
Support and technology on pest identification have also been provided by CPHST. The Identification Technology Program (ITP) is developing electronic identification tools, including various keys for scale species, mites, and cut flower exports from Africa. The ITP/plant inspection station relationship has evolved into a collaborative venture in some cases, as in the ongoing development of a Lucid whitefly key.
Personnel at work in the Houston plant inspection station.
(Image Courtesy of Eric McDonald)
New technologies for accurate and fast detection of plant pathogens can greatly benefit the plant inspection station system. In response, the Molecular Diagnostics and Biotechnology Program is analyzing the potential of emerging technologies, including the immunological assay Anzenbio PDS-8 detection system and CANARY (Cellular Analysis and Notification of Antigen Risks and Yields), for use in environments such as the plant inspection stations. Furthermore, to ensure correct implementation of these techniques, CPHST will train personnel in the proper procedures to be followed.
Future research needs of the plant inspection station system include development of additional molecular techniques, effective alternative quarantine treatments for pests and diseases and application of real-time x-ray technology for the inspection of seeds and woody plants.