PPQ also provides certain 
services that deal with biotechnol- 
ogy. U.S. scientists use agricul- 
tural biotechnology together with a 
variety of laboratory techniques, 
such as genetic engineering, to 
improve plants, animals, and 
micro-organisms. Since 1987, 
APHIS’ role in agricultural biotech- 
nology has been to manage and 
oversee regulations to ensure the 
safe and rapid deployment of the 
products of biotechnology. Under 
PPQ’s effective regulations and 
practical guidelines, private-sector 
firms can safely test genetically 
engineered organisms outside the 
physical containment of the 
laboratory. PPQ officials issue 
permits or acknowledge notifica- 
tion for the importation, interstate 
movement, or field testing of 
genetically engineered plants, 
micro- 
organisms, and invertebrates that 
are developed using components 
from plant-pathogenic material. 
Federal biotechnology regulations 
also provide for an exemption 
process once it has been estab- 
lished that a genetically engi- 
neered product does not present a 
plant pest risk. Under this process, 
applicants can petition PPQ fora 
determination of nonregulated 
status for specific genetically 
engineered products. Some 
examples of deregulated crops 
include five tomato types modified 
for delayed ripening; five cotton 
types, one modified for insect 
resistance and four for herbicide 
tolerance; two soybean types 
modified for herbicide tolerance; 
and six corn types, three modified 
for herbicide tolerance and three 
for insect resistance. 
PPQ biotechnology personnel 
meet with regulatory officials from 
other nations on a regular basis to 
foster the harmonization of trade 
regulations. These discussions 
help ensure that requirements 
imposed by other countries are as 
consistent as possible with U.S. 
requirements and that our trading 
partners are kept informed of 
regulatory developments affecting 
biotechnology. 
Other scientific information and 
methods development are 
gathered through PPQ’s Center for 
Plant Health Science and Technol- 
ogy. The Center, with headquar- 
ters in Raleigh, NC, serves as the 
umbrella organization for various 
PPQ labs and the National 
Biological Control Institute. Its 
multidisciplinary staff concentrates 
on analyzing scientific and 
technical elements of plant 
protection programs and systems, 
and identifying needs and appro- 
priate ways to meet present and 
future phytosanitary challenges. 
PPQ forges collaborative working 
partnerships with Federal and 
State agencies, academic institu- 
tions, and the private sector to 
accomplish its work. 
PPQ carries out methods develop- 
ment to translate research findings 
into operational program activities 
at 10 different field stations known 
as plant protection centers. These 
field stations are located at 
Edinburg, TX, Gulfport and 
Starkville, MS, Gainesville and 
Miami, FL, Waimanalo, HI, Otis 
ANGB (Cape Cod), MA, Phoenix, 
AZ, and Oxford, NC. There is one 
PPQ methods group working 
