growing volume of incoming baggage with the available inspection force. 
Because of the known pest and disease risks associated with baggage, the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture allotted funds to the Customs Service to 
resume thorough examination of passengers’ baggage for unauthorized 
agricultural materials, starting July 1, 1956. In the following year, inter- 
ceptions of unauthorized plant materials, many harboring destructive 
pests, increased by 19 percent over the preceding year of spot-checking. 
Interceptions of prohibited meat and meat products increased by 35 per- 
cent. Hence, the time spent by the public and officials on this routine is 
saving ‘‘trouble unlimited.’’ 
Quarantine periods are the shortest compatible with safety. 
Currently, an animal detained in quarantine is observed for 30 days; a 
bird, for 21 days. The time must be long enough to show up serious diseases 
that could be developing. 
Plant quarantine procedures can generally be completed within a few 
hours. Foreign certification that plant material is freefrom pests reduces 
the chance of stowaways. However, such certification does not eliminate 
all hazard; nor can trained USDA inspectors quickly detect the tiniest 
pests which may be speck-size. Hence, practically all plant propagative 
materials are treated by fumigation, hot water, or a chemical spray or 
dip, to destroy any hidden pests without harming valuable plants. Occa- 
sionally, plant material of a prohibited kind is admitted under strict 
quarantine for experimental or research purposes of the U.S, Department 
of Agriculture. In addition, certain plants are allowed entry for a period 
of isolated detention on the premises of the importer. During this time, 
usually two years, the plants are carefully examined and are finally 
released if pest free. 
AIDS TO UNDERSTANDING 
The USDA plant and animal quarantine divisions are extending their 
efforts to inform the public on the need for agricultural quarantine 
restrictions and how to comply. Help is solicited for the spread of infor- 
mation through the varied communication channels of newspapers, maga- 
zines, radio, television, illustrated talks, motion picture showings, and 
exhibits. Information directed to special groups is helpful, and can be 
conveyed by farm papers, scientific journals, trade journals, and organi- 
zations that hold meetings. 
Persons directly contacting the traveling public are in key positions 
to use leaflets and other information with strategic timing--when travelers 
are en route on a carrier or arriving at a United States port or, better 
still, before the trip starts. 
A study on ways of promoting international travel made at the direc- 
tion of the President included the problem of passenger baggage as an 
important source of entry for foreign agricultural pests and diseases. 
Reporting results of the study in 1958, the chairman of the committee 
emphasized: 
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