USDA dollars for pest protection
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating more than $70 million to support 350 projects under the Plant Protection Act’s Section 7721 program as part of a nationwide effort to strengthen the country’s infrastructure for pest detection, surveillance, and mitigation, as well as protect the U.S. nursery system.
Universities, states, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofits, and Tribal organizations will carry out selected projects.
“These funds provide state governments, universities, tribal organizations and other essential cooperators across the nation the tools they need to protect U.S. agriculture, natural resources, and food security,” said Jenny Moffitt, Under Secretary for USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “These projects also advance science in the fight against invasive plant pests and diseases and expand export opportunities for American growers.”
Of the 350 projects funded in fiscal year 2023, 28 projects are funded through the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN). The NCPN helps our country maintain the infrastructure necessary to ensure that pathogen, disease, and pest-free-certified planting materials are available for U.S. specialty crop producers who grow citrus, other fruit trees, berries, grapes, hops, roses, and sweet potatoes.
USDA will use $13.5 million to rapidly respond to invasive pest emergencies should a pest of high economic consequence be found in the United States. In the past, USDA has used these funds to rapidly respond to pests such as the northern giant hornet, spotted lanternfly, coconut rhinoceros beetles, invasive fruit flies, and the box tree moth.
Learn more about the Plant Protection Act’s Section 7721 on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website: www.aphis.usda.gov/