'With this plan, we will ensure that our agency's initiatives are on target to meet the global challenges we are certain to face during the next five years and beyond,' said Rebecca Bech, deputy administrator for APHIS' plant protection and quarantine (PPQ) program, in a statement.
'We have made great progress in developing this plan, but it will not be complete until we have carefully reviewed the suggestions and concerns of our stakeholders,' she added. 'I strongly encourage all interested people and organizations to comment on this draft.'
In drafting the plan, the agency studied changing patterns and emerging trends in the agriculture industry, international trade, as well as the political, economic, scientific and technological arenas. PPQ also identified its internal strengths and weaknesses and assessed all areas of the program to determine its effectiveness to respond to future challenges.
The agency will take comments from interested parties through Jan. 14. To learn more, access thedraft plan .
