bunt, a fungal disease of wheat, 
was discovered in Arizona. 
These teams work in concert with 
local and State officials to assess 
the situation and develop a 
strategy to determine the extent of 
infestations and to eradicate the 
pest or disease. Sometimes the 
approach is as basic as removing 
the host material and trapping 
associated insects at the infesta- 
tion site. At other times, PPQ 
employs more sophisticated 
methods like the use of federally 
approved pesticides in limited 
spray programs or the breeding 
and release of sterilized insects to 
suppress pest populations. PPQ 
always looks for the safest and 
most effective and environmentally 
responsible strategy in these 
situations. 
The work of these Rapid Response 
Teams is supported by the most 
recent science and research 
performed or sponsored by PPQ. 
Methods and policies developed 
for use In an emergency outbreak 
situation must be environmentally 
acceptable and in compliance with 
Federal, State, and local laws 
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PPQ always looks for the safest and 
most effective and environmentally 
responsible strategy to deal with plant 
health emergencies. Here, PPQ is 
rearing sterilized insects for release 
into a quarantine area. 
such as those governing pesticide 
use and notification to enter or 
treat private property. A Medfly find 
or outbreak of Karnal bunt has the 
potential to excite concern among 
our trading partners, who need to 
be reassured that U.S. commodi- 
ties will not introduce pests or 
diseases into their ecosystems. 
Emergency response methods 
must bring our exports into 
compliance with international 
standards as established by the 
World Trade Organization (WTO) 
and trade agreements such as the 
North American Free Trade 
Agreement (NAFTA). 
Rapid Response 
Teams work in 
concert with State 
and local officials to 
deal with introduc- 
tions of invasive 
plant pests like the 
Asian longhorned 
beetle spotted in 
this suburb near the 
Statue of Liberty. 
(APHIS photo by 
Ken Law, PPQ 
officer.) 
