Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ): 
The division of APHIS charged with protect- 
ing the Nation’s agricultural resources from 
the spread of plant pests and diseases. 
Preclearance: The inspection and treatment 
of foreign agricultural commodities prior to 
their export to the United States to prevent 
harmful exotic pests and diseases from being 
transported here. 
Quarantine pest: A pest of potential eco- 
nomic importance to an area but not yet 
present there, or present but not widely 
distributed and being officially controlled. 
Regional Emergency Animal Disease 
Eradication Organization (READEO): A task 
force consisting of Veterinary Services 
employees, State veterinarians, military sup- 
port personnel, industry liaisons, and repre- 
sentatives from other units within USDA. 
This task force is specially trained to handle 
outbreaks of foreign animal diseases. 
Regionalization: An international trade 
policy that allows distinct areas within a 
country or region that are free of a specified 
animal disease to export related commodities 
even if the rest of the country remains 
quarantined. 
Smuggling Interdiction and Trade 
Compliance (SITC): A program created by 
APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine in 
response to the growing volume of smuggled 
agricultural products. Operating at a number 
of national ports, the program ensures com- 
pliance with U.S. agricultural import laws. 
Trade Support Team (TST): A unit of APHIS’ 
International Services that provides analytic 
and strategic guidance to help establish new 
markets for U.S. exports while protecting the 
United States’ agricultural resources. 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS): The 
Department of the Interior agency responsi- 
ble for conserving, protecting, and enhanc- 
ing fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. 
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR): The 
official who leads U.S. delegations in negoti- 
ating trade agreements and resolving trade 
disputes. 
Veterinary biologics: Vaccines, bacterins, 
diagnostics, etc., used to prevent, treat, or 
diagnose animal diseases. These products 
generally work through an immunological 
method or process. 
Veterinary Services (VS): The division of 
APHIS whose mission is to protect and 
improve the health, quality, and marketabil- 
ity of our Nation’s animals, animal products, 
and veterinary biologics. 
World Trade Organization (WTO): An entity 
created to establish and arbitrate the rules of 
trade between nations. It acts as an impartial 
body for settling disputes. It was formed in 
1995 as a successor to the General 
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. 
Zoology: The study of animals. 
Zoosanitary: Pertaining to animal health. 
