Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex): 
A subsidiary of the United Nations’ Food and 
Agriculture Organization created to facilitate 
world food trade by establishing interna- 
tional standards based on accepted scientific 
knowledge. 
Contagious equine metritis (CEM): 
A transmissible, exotic, venereal disease of 
horses, commonly associated with infertility. 
Convention on International Trade in 
Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna 
(CITES): A treaty that regulates the interna- 
tional commercial trade of endangered and 
threatened plants and animals, and products 
derived from them, and monitors trade 
involving species that may become extinct in 
the near future. 
Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey 
(CAPS): A program through which the 
Federal Government works with States to 
conduct ongoing surveys for foreign plant 
pests and diseases. Information collected in 
the surveys is maintained in a nationwide 
database. 
Ecology: The study of the relationships 
between organisms and their environments. 
Emergency Management Operations Center 
(EMOC): The APHIS facility used to manage 
pest and disease outbreaks from the 
Riverdale, MD, headquarters. 
Emergency Programs (EP): The APHIS 
Veterinary Services staff that manages 
foreign animal disease outbreaks. 
Entomology: The study of insects. 
Environmental assessment (EA): A concise 
public document that provides sufficient 
evidence and analysis for determining 
whether to prepare an environmental impact 
statement. 
Environmental impact statement (EIS): 
A detailed statement discussing the potential 
impact a proposed action may have on the 
environment. The EIS details any adverse 
environmental effects that cannot be avoided 
should the proposal be implemented and any 
alternatives to the proposed action. 
EXCERPT: A database maintained by APHIS 
and Purdue University that allows Plant 
Protection and Quarantine officers, State and 
county officials, and members of the agricul- 
tural industry to access export information. 
Florida Interdiction and Smuggling Team 
(FIST): A program created to reduce the 
amount of agricultural goods smuggled into 
major international ports in Florida. 
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAQ): 
A subsidiary of the United Nations that works 
to raise levels of nutrition and standards of 
living, to improve agricultural productivity, 
and to better the conditions of rural popula- 
tions. FAO achieves this through providing 
development assistance, information and 
support services, advice to governments, and 
a forum for international cooperation. 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): 
A Department of Health and Human Services 
agency that sets Federal standards and 
regulations for the safety and effectiveness 
of foods, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, 
and products (like microwaves) that emit 
radiation. FDA also regulates feed and drugs 
for pets and farm animals. 
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS): 
The USDA agency that ensures commercially 
supplied meat, poultry, and egg products are 
safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled and 
packaged. 
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD): A highly 
contagious and economically devastating 
disease of cattle and swine characterized by 
fever and blisterlike lesions on the tongue 
and lips, in the mouth, on the teats, and in 
between the claws. 
Glossary 3 
