APHIS and the General Approval Process
PPQ, VS and IS
PPQ: PPQ protects the agricultural resources of the United States
from the international spread of plant and animal pests and
diseases. PPQ inspectors at international airport terminals,
seaports, and border stations check passengers and baggage for
products that could harbor pests or diseases. PPQ also checks
ship and airplane cargoes, rail and truck freight and mail from
foreign countries; certifies United States agricultural products
for export; and helps combat introduced plant pests within the
United States. PPQ oversees the plant quarantine process, which
includes all activities designed to prevent the introduction
and/or spread of quarantine pests or to ensure their official
control.
VS: Protects the health of livestock and poultry resources in
the United States by regulating the entry of imported animals
and animal products by assuring that only healthy animals and
safe animal products are imported.
IS: The staff of IS oversees pre-clearance inspections and site
inspections of agricultural products destined to the United States.
They also provide technical expertise to foreign governments and
international organizations on programs of a mutual interest,
including cooperatively conducting agricultural pest and disease
prevention, control and eradication programs in foreign locations.
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