Did you know that $62.5 million of the 2014 food bill goes toward identification and management of plant pests? In an announcement dated September 15, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) invited stakeholders to submit their suggestions for 2015 projects that: “enhanceplant pest/disease analysis and survey; target domestic inspection activities at vulnerable points in the safeguarding continuum; enhance and strengthen pest identification and technology; safeguard nursery production; enhance mitigation capabilities; and conduct outreach and education to support these goals.”[i] The amount per year increases to $75 million annually by FY 2018.
Let’s hope they find safe methods for mitigating pests.
[i] http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/importexport?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/APHIS_Content_Library/SA_Our_Focus/SA_Plant_Health/SA_Domestic_Pests_And_Diseases