APHIS in Action

Last Modified: August 11, 2025

Every day, APHIS works to protect the health and value of America's agricultural and natural resources. These articles tell a story about how we are tackling some of the biggest issues facing U.S. agriculture and natural resources today.

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For over a century, a dedicated group of mounted patrol inspectors—known informally as Tick Riders—has patrolled the southern U.S. border. Their mission: protect U.S. cattle from the cattle fever tick, a parasite that causes severe blood loss, weakness, and can transmit deadly diseases like babesiosis and anaplasmosis.

The Panama-United States Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm (COPEG), a joint program between APHIS International Services and Panama’s Ministry of Agriculture, is leveraging technical expertise and skilled diplomacy to tackle a potentially devastating agricultural pest—New World screwworm.

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Every day, members of the public, industry, and other stakeholders call the APHIS Customer Service Center to have a problem solved or a question answered. And every day, four APHIS Customer Service Center employees do just that for the callers.

APHIS customer service rep sitting at their desk

Importers of fruits and vegetables can reap significant rewards from an inspection program called risk-based sampling at ports of entry.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialist looks over a shipment of papayas at the Otay Mesa, CA, port of entry.

The Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program recently rolled out a new, advanced approach to surveying for the beetle.

Two tree climbers survey trees that Asian longhorned beetles could attack.

After five years of relentless effort, the northern giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) has been eradicated from Washington State and the United States.

close-up image of an northern giant hornet

People ship and receive packages using express courier companies—like FedEx, UPS, DHL, and others—all the time. But when the package includes an agricultural item, things can get dangerous for U.S agriculture and natural resources.

An express courier delivery box rests on a welcome mat outside a front door. (Overhead view.)

Clermont County residents have been heavily impacted by the ALB, which kills trees it attacks and caused the removal of over 96,000 trees. APHIS ALB employees saw an opportunity to make a difference and started a Tree Giveaway Program.