over the United States, some coming from as far south as CostaRica 

 and Nicaragua where the Mediterranean fruit fly is established and 

 thus providing this pest a way of reaching us overland. 



Miscellaneous cargo has required more attention than heretofore. 

 Snails, khaprabeetles, nematodes, and other pests are being found 

 regularly onpacking crates, automobiles, and a wide variety of other 

 articles not usually thought of as a means of plant pest introduction. 

 The only way to detect the presence of stowaway pests in these sit- 

 uations is by painstciking examination of vast amounts of such items 

 on ships and piers, and at air and border ports. For example, khapra 

 beetle was found 31 times in miscellaneous cargo, ships' holds, and 

 dry stores. Fumigation or other treatment was required in all these 

 cases, (This notoriously injurious pest has been found in limited 

 distribution in a few^ localities in the southwestern part of the United 

 States. Federal and State governments, and industries in interest, 

 have spent over $7 million toward its eradication.) 



The issuance of the Federal Plant Pest Regulations in 1959 signif- 

 icantly strengthened the Division's effectiveness in avenues of pest 

 entry not heretofore adequately covered. These regulations pro- 

 vide for the inspection and treatment, or other emergency meas- 

 ures as maybe appropriate, of any foreign product or article of any 

 character whatsoever that may be instrumental in disseminating 

 plant pests into the United States. In this category carriers, such 

 as aircraft, ships, and motor vehicles, are specifically included. 

 Other provisions of the regulations prescribe the conditions and 

 procedures for handling (1) importation and interstate movement of 

 plant pests as such; (2) the entry of soil from overseas areas; and 

 (3) the disposition of garbage arriving from abroad. In the proce- 

 dures for handlingplant pests and soil, due consideration was given 

 to the continued movement necessary for approved research pro- 

 jects. For example, an arrangement was made to provide for the 

 orderly movement of cereal rusts and smuts needed in the research 

 work being done on these important diseases. 



Arrangements were completed with flower bulb growers in the Fed- 

 eral Republic of Germany whereby U. S. plant quarantine inspectors 

 will inspect, and supervise treatment as may be required, in that 

 country prior to shipment to the UnitedStates. This will aid mate- 

 rially in keeping bulb insects and diseases from reaching U. S. 

 ports of entry and give addedprotectionto the agriculture and horti- 

 culture of this country. Similar arrangements had already been 

 made for country of origin inspection in The Netherlands, Belgium, 

 France, and Italy, 



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