Multilateral: Trade discussion involving 
multiple countries that provides a forum to 
discuss ongoing negotiations, trade disputes, 
phytosanitary standards, and other issues 
related to trade. 
National Agricultural Pest Information 
System (NAPIS): A database that holds 
survey information collected in the CAPS 
program. Information in this database can be 
accessed from anywhere in the country by 
authorized users. 
National Animal Health Monitoring System 
(NAHMS): A Veterinary Services program 
started in 1983 to gather information on the 
state of animal health in the United States. 
National Center for Import and Export 
(NCIE): A Veterinary Services staff that 
develops zoosanitary protocols that allow the 
safe import of animals and animal products. 
This staff also negotiates protocols that will 
allow the entry of U.S. agricultural products 
into foreign countries. 
National Veterinary Services Laboratories 
(NVSL): The only Federal facility in the 
United States engaged in the diagnosis of 
animal diseases, both domestic and foreign. 
NVSL also provide consultation, reagents, 
and training for foreign governments. 
NVSLs facilities are located in Ames, IA, and 
Plum Island, NY. 
North American Free Trade Agreement 
(NAFTA): A multilateral trade pact between 
the United States, Canada, and Mexico that 
went into effect in January 1994. 
North American Plant Protection 
Organization (NAPPO): A regional plant- 
health organization created in 1976 to share 
information and cooperate in advancing 
common regional goals. 
Noxious weed: A nonindigenous weed 
species that can upset the balance among 
native plant species within natural and 
agricultural ecosystems. 
Office International des Epizooties (OIE): 
The world’s oldest international veterinary 
organization, formed in 1924 to develop and 
maintain a worldwide animal disease report- 
ing network and to facilitate world trade by 
minimizing the risk of spreading livestock 
diseases. 
PANAFTOSA: An organization of South 
American countries created to eradicate foot- 
and-mouth disease from the continent. 
Pest risk analysis (PRA): The process of 
evaluating biological and other scientific and 
economic evidence to determine whether a 
pest should be regulated and the strength of 
any phytosanitary measures to be taken 
against it. 
Phytosanitary: Pertaining to plant health. 
Phytosanitary certificate: A document 
required to accompany certain agricultural 
exports that is issued by Federal, State, or 
county officials and verifies the shipment is 
free from quarantined plant pests and 
pathogens. 
Phytosanitary Issues Management (PIM) 
Team: An APHIS team that has the primary 
responsibility for planning, coordinating, 
and helping to resolve phytosanitary and 
biological issues that impede trade. 
Phytosanitary measure: Any legislation, 
regulation, or official procedure intended to 
prevent the introduction and/or spread of 
plant pests. 
Pink hibiscus mealybug (Maconellicoccus 
hirsutus Green): A serious agricultural pest 
that attacks more than 200 varieties of 
plants. The pest sucks the juice from the 
host plants while injecting toxic saliva. This 
action can lead to the death of a plant. 
Plant pathology: The study of plant diseases. 
Glossary 5 
