Animal and Plant Diseases and Pests of Concern

Last Modified: August 12, 2024

Section 12203(b) of the 2018 Farm Bill required APHIS to develop a list of pests and diseases that pose the most significant threat to U.S. agriculture. This section of the Farm Bill codifies many activities that APHIS already performs, including the development and exercising of emergency response plans.

Based on our years of experience and the latest science, we named 59 pests and diseases that warrant efforts at prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery. The presence or absence of a pest or disease on this list doesn't preclude APHIS from taking appropriate actions to protect plant or animal health. If a threat emerges that isn't on the list, APHIS will respond appropriately.

Updating the List

Do you have feedback on the contents of this list? APHIS is seeking and reviewing comments on a rolling basis. If suggesting additions or changes, we ask that you provide references/documentation on how the pest/disease meets the definition of "likely to pose a significant risk to the food and agriculture critical infrastructure." We intend to review this list of pests and diseases on an annual basis and update it as needed.

Send your suggestions to APHISPestDiseaseList@usda.gov.

Other Pest and Disease Lists Maintained by APHIS

The list of Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases of Concern differs from the following lists:

  • Veterinary Services High-Consequence List of Diseases - Veterinary Services maintains a list of foreign animal diseases and pests based on risk and consequences of introduction into the United States. This list is used to guide APHIS preparedness and response activities.
  • National List of Reportable Animal Diseases (NLRAD) - The NLRAD list of diseases, agreed upon by State and Federal partners, ensures standardized reporting and information sharing for various animal diseases. The diseases are divided into two categories: notifiable diseases and conditions and monitored diseases.
  • National Priority Pest List - The National Priority Pest List presents the national priorities for pest detection surveys conducted under the Cooperative Agricultural Survey Program. The Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases of Concern list is a subset of the National Priority Pest List.
  • U.S. Regulated Plant Pest List - This list includes those pests that Plant Protection and Quarantine regulates under the authority of the Plant Protection Act.