137 



and work with the travel industry to keep travelers informed of Federal require- 

 ments. 



At international airports and ports of entry throughout the country, we have a 

 number of mechanisms in place for educating international travelers. Inspection of- 

 ficers also inform travelers about the threat foreign pests and diseases pose to agri- 

 culture and the importance of adhering to agricultural quarantine regulations. 



In addition to reaching travelers at airports, other ways for disseminating edu- 

 cational material are community meetings, press conferences, and the mail. Impor- 

 tant information can be retained by people when they can associate a particular 

 symbol or icon with a particular idea or action. For example, Smokey Bear has re- 



Eeatedly said "only you can prevent forest fires." An image and message that go 

 and in hand. APHIS is pursuing the idea of developing an image and message cen- 

 tered on the Beagle Brigade and its effort to protect America's food supply and 

 ecosystems from harmful non-indigenous species. This effort could simplify the mes- 

 sage, yet emphasize the importance of how our mobile society can impact our food 

 supply and environment. 



The effort to inform the public should be a cooperative effort among all concerned 

 parties, such as the agriculture industry, transportation industry, the States, re- 

 search institutions, and universities. In this way, the message will be widely distrib- 

 uted and the responsibility shared. 



Question. What new legislation would be required in order for APHIS to respond 

 to new infestations of plants, animals and pathogens that are not currently subject 

 to quarantine status? . , • 



Once cleared and transmitted to Congress, we believe APHIS' proposed legislative 

 package that consoUdates and streamlines our plant quarantine laws and animal 

 quarantine laws will provide encompassing changes to our quarantine authority. 

 The legislative proposals, often called the Consolidated Statutes, clarify and en- 

 hance APHIS' authority in a number of important ways that would clarify roles and 

 improve responses. 



