The U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its 
programs and activities on the basis of 
race, color, national origin, gender, 
religion, age, disability, political beliefs, 
sexual orientation, or marital or family 
status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to 
all programs.) Persons with disabilities 
who require alternative means for 
communication of program information 
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) 
should contact USDA’s TARGET Center 
at (202) 720—2600 (voice and TDD). 
To file a complaint of discrimination, write 
USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 
Room 326—W, Whitten Building, 14th and 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, 
DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 
(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal 
opportunity provider and employer. 
Issued October 1999 
Front cover: Plant Protection and 
Quarantine officers serve as the first line 
of defense against invasive animal and 
plant pests and diseases. 
Photo credits: Unless otherwise noted in 
captions, photos were taken by APHIS 
photographer Ann Czapiewski. 
