SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES, FISCAL YEAR 1964 
PLANT QUARANTINE DIVISION 
The function of the Plant Quarantine Division is to safeguard the agricultural 
and horticultural interests of the United States by preventing the entry of 
foreigninsect pests and plant diseases. To protect the Nation's food and fiber 
resources, Federal plant quarantine laws and regulations prohibit or restrict 
the entry into this country of foreign plant pests and plants, plant products, 
soil or other materials or conveyances capable of carrying plant pests or 
constituting a pest hazard. The following aids have been provided for the 
enforcement of these laws and regulations: Port inspection; approved pro- 
cedures and facilities for treating restricted imports when necessary to 
eliminate pest risk; refusal of entry or seizure and disposal of restricted or 
prohibited articles found entering the country in violation of regulations; and 
legal penalties for willful violation of regulations. Authority for the Division's 
activities is contained in the following Acts: 
The Plant Quarantine Act (7 U.S.C. 154) authorizes the Secretary 
of Agriculture toimpose restrictions or prohibitions onthe importa- 
tion of plants, and plant products, including nursery stock for 
propagation, fruits, vegetables, cotton, and other plants and plant 
products, for the purpose of excluding new and dangerous insect 
pests and plant diseases. 
The Federal Plant PestAct(7 U.S.C.A. 150aa) forbids the importa- 
tion of a plant pest, irrespective of its association with plant 
material or other hosts. As an emergency measure, the Secretary 
of Agriculture may seize, quarantine,treat, destroy, or otherwise 
dispose of, any product or article of any character whatsoever, or 
means of conveyance, which he has reason to believe contains a 
dangerous plant pest. The Secretary is also authorized to issue 
regulations requiring inspection of products and articles of any 
character whatsoever and means of conveyance, when he deems it 
necessary to prevent dissemination in the United States of plant 
pests. 
The Mexican Border Act (7 U.S.C. 149) authorizes the Secretary 
of Agriculture to regulate the entry from Mexico of all vehicles, 
freight, express, baggage, and other materials that may carry 
insect pests and plant diseases. 
The Department of Agriculture Organic Act (7 U.S.C. 147a) 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with States, 
political subdivisions, farmers associations,and similar organiza- 
tions andindividuals tocarry out operations or measures to 
eradicate or retard the spread of insect pests, plant diseases and 
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