A federal agency is moving forward with plans to extend its oversight of state-run plant disease prevention programs across the country.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced its intention to seek continued approval for gathering information from states that operate plant pest management initiatives. These programs focus on containing, eliminating, or preventing plant pests within state boundaries.
The agency’s request follows requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which governs how federal departments collect information from other entities. The extension would allow continued federal recognition of qualifying state-managed plant health programs.
States with approved programs work to address various plant pest threats that could impact agricultural crops and natural ecosystems within their borders.
