66 



Mr. Lee. Mr. Chairman, I wouldn't say the USDA's view is ex- 

 actly the same, but it is much more cost-effective to prevent than 

 to control or eradicate or to live with it. 



Dr. Davison. We share that view. 



Senator Akaka. Mr. Davison agrees. 



Dr. Davison. Right. 



Senator Akaka. Let me ask Mr. Lee to respond and then the 

 other witnesses can comment as well. APHIS is proposing com- 

 prehensive regulations governing the introduction of non-indige- 

 nous plant pests. The agency will also propose to consolidate and 

 streamline plant and animal quarantine law. 



Mr. Lee, after these changes are accomplished, what gaps will re- 

 main that allow the entry of economically or environmentally 

 harmful non-indigenous species? 



Mr. Lee. The consolidation of our present authorities will give, 

 we believe, greater authority, expanded authority. It will correct 

 some of the inadequacies that were pointed out by the first panel 

 this afternoon, especially in the area of noxious weeds. We have 

 recognized the deficiencies over the years with those authorities. 

 The consolidated statute thus would broaden the authority, but I 

 should tell the Committee that it still will be related to pests and 

 diseases of agricultural commodities. So there would be a gap be- 

 tween what we currently do now with plsmt pests, animal (hseases 

 and plant diseases and what is desired by the Congress on non-ag- 

 ricultural pests and diseases. 



The correction, we believe, will be advantageous because it has 

 a spillover or bleed-over effect into non-agricultural settings, so it 

 does have value that way, but the intent is the agriculture-related 

 activities. 



Senator Akaka. Are there further comments? 



[No response.] 



Senator Akaka. I would like to ask everyone to respond to this 

 question again. After the changes that APHIS has identified are ac- 

 complished, what gaps will remain that allow the entry of economi- 

 cally or environmentally harmful non-indigenous species? 



Dr. Davison. Well, Mr. Chairman, there are certainly the gaps 

 that we have discussed previously this afternoon about the Lacey 

 Act. 



Senator Akaka. Well, let me continue. In its September report 

 the OTA concluded that the total number of harmful alien species 

 and their cumulative impacts are creating a growing economic and 

 environmental burden for our country. I ask you to look back over 

 the experience of the agencies in dealing with alien pests. The ex- 

 plosive growth in commerce, tourism, and travel seems to continue 

 with no end in sight. 



Do you agree with OTA's conclusion that alien species are a 

 growing economic and environmental burden for our Nation? 



Dr. Davison. Yes, I agree that the ecological effects and economic 

 effects are becoming increasingly severe. 



Senator Akaka. Ms. Kimball? 



Ms. Kimball. I would agree with that and add that it is also a 

 problem internationally and we are trying to deal with that now. 



Senator Akaka. Mr. Lee? 



