132 



Congress enacts public law and the U.S. border clearance agencies establish the pol- 

 icy and inspection requirements. DOD then complies within its capabilities and re- 

 sources. 



USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Responses to 

 Questions About Non-Indigenous Species 



1. In the absence of new legislation to consolidate plant protection statutes, how 

 does APHIS intend to prevent the interstate spread of agricultural and non-agricul- 

 tural weeds? 



With or without new legislation to consolidate plant protection statutes, APHIS 

 will implement a new weed policy in 1996. The weed policy document has already 

 been developed and cleared by the Plant Protection and Quarantine Management 

 Team. The policy is broken down into phase I and phase II. Phase I included inter- 

 views with APHIS officials, other USDA agencies, State departments of agriculture, 

 and key stakeholders, such as universities, seed trade and professional seed and 

 plant societies. The interviews identified the key issues related to weed policy and 

 control. We are now developing phase II which is the Implementation Manual for 

 Weed Policy. This policy is consistent with the existing regulations promulgated 

 under the plant protection statutes as they apply to weeds and can be modified so 

 that it is consistent with any legislation enacted in the future. 



2. How could APHIS ensure that the Nation is less often surprised by new species 

 and novel pathways of introduction? 



APHIS operates a Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) system that fo- 

 cuses on new pest detection. The computer database is designed to draw attention 

 to new pests that are reported. CAPS provides for the timely collection, storage, 

 processing, and distribution of significant plant pest and disease information for 

 Federal agencies and State departments of agrictdture. We believe that use of the 

 system by all participants will lead to better early warning of the introduction of 

 new pests into the United States. 



Novel pathways of introduction fi-equently develop with new commercial enter- 

 prises, and entry of more countries into the global marketplace. APHIS' Inter- 

 national Services provides an international perspective on trade and pest conditions 

 abroad. We believe that adopting modem data management and communications 

 systems is essential to define and analyze introduction pathways. 



For 1995, APHIS has proposed legislation that would shift Agricultural Quar- 

 antine Inspection (AQI) user fees from appropriations to a reimbursable account. 

 The authority requested would enable APHIS to keep pace with workload demands 

 and cost increases on a timely basis. The improvements would include increased 

 staffing, equipment, and an automated tracking system. These improvements also 

 would enable APHIS to respond quickly to emergencies and unanticipated industry 

 expansion. 



3. Page 244 of the OTA report cites the finding that preliminary DNA analysis 

 of Medflies trapped in California during the 1989 and 1991 infestations very likely 

 did not come from Hawaii because they genetically resemble Medflies from Argen- 

 tina and Guatemala. 



Question. Do you agree with this assessment? 



APHIS has taken the initiative to develop a comprehensive research program to 

 develop DNA analysis technology to determine the origin of Medflies captured in 

 California. Several research groups funded by APHIS and CDFA are examining a 

 variety of methodologies. The work cited in the OTA report was based on prelimi- 

 nary data and indicated that specimens detected during 1989 and 1991 in California 

 were more like those from Argentina and Guatemala than specimens from Hawaii. 

 The data should not yet be interpreted to mean that the specimens intercepted in 

 California did not originate from Hawaii. In contrast, anotner researcher, using a 

 diff"erent methodology, has shown that specimens intercepted in California during 

 1992 are more similar to flies in Hawaii than those in Guatemala. Additional re- 

 search to determine genetic markers and additional specimens from foreign sites are 

 needed to clarify the situation. APHIS is continuing to fund research and has estab- 

 lished a Medfly Germplasm Repository to encourage the exchange of specimens and 

 information. 



4. The OTA report states that the unwillingness by APHIS to see localized prob- 

 lems as national concerns has been a source of continuing tension between the agen- 

 cy and State departments of agriculture. 



Question. What changes by the Congress would clarify APHIS' role and speed re- 

 sponse? 



