Questions and Answers About Plant Protection and Quarantine Permits for Widely Prevalent Plant Pests and Pathogens

Plant Protection and Quarantine

July 2005

Q. What are widely prevalent plant pests and pathogens?
A. Plant Protection and Quarantine’s (PPQ) Permits, Registrations, and Imports (PRI) unit has developed, in cooperation with scientific societies and State plant regulatory officials, lists of plant pests and pathogens that are widely prevalent within specific States. These lists will facilitate prompt issuance of Federal permits for the interstate movement of plant pests and pathogens determined to be widely prevalent in the destination State(s).

Q. How will this process facilitate the issuance of permits?
A. The PRI unit has already received concurrence with individual States for the issuance of permits for those plant pests and pathogens listed as widely prevalent. Therefore, qualifying applications will not require additional review by State Departments of Agriculture. This will reduce the turnaround time to receive the permit.

Q. Who needs a permit for plant pests and pathogens?
A. Any person interested in moving plant pests or pathogens needs a permit.

Q. What are the requirements for widely prevalent pathogen applications?
A. Pathogen applications that meet all the following qualifications will be processed expeditiously:

• Application must contain ONLY organisms included on the widely prevalent pathogen list for the destination State(s);
• Application must be for interstate movement, not from foreign sources imported into the United States;
• Organisms must be of domestic origin, not foreign isolates of organisms on the lists; and
• Organisms must not be for environmental release.

Q. What are the requirements for widely prevalent plant pest applications?
A. Plant pest applications that meet all the following qualifications will be processed expeditiously:

• Application must contain ONLY organisms included on the widely prevalent plant pest list for the destination State(s);
• Application must be for interstate movement, not from foreign sources imported into the United States; and
• Organisms must be of domestic origin, not foreign isolates of organisms on the lists.

Q. Where can I find the list of widely prevalent plant pests and pathogens?
A. The State lists of widely prevalent plant pests and pathogens are available on the APHIS Web site at <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/plantpest/ wpp/index.html>.

Q. How do I apply for a permit?
A. You can apply for a permit by completing PPQ Form 526 for plant pests or pathogens, obtained from Permit Services, and then fax the permit application and any additional information to (301) 734–8700, or mail it to the following address:

USDA, APHIS, PPQ
4700 River Road, Unit 133
Riverdale, MD 20737–1236

PPQ strongly encourages applicants to submit applications that contain only the scientific names approved on the lists. The use of unapproved synonyms may delay the processing of the application.

Q. Is there a fee for obtaining a permit for?
A. There are currently no charges for PPQ permits.

Q. How do I obtain more information on this subject?
A. Additional information concerning permits for widely prevalent plant pests and pathogens is available on the APHIS Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/plantpest/wpp/index.html. Applicants may also call APHIS directly at (301) 734–8758.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202)720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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