Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 2012 Explanatory Notes Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Table of Contents Purpose Statement ...................................................................................................................................... 18-1 Statement of Available Funds and Staff Years ........................................................................................... 18-6 Permanent Positions by Grade and Staff Year ........................................................................................... 18-9 Motor Vehicle Fleet and Aircraft Data ....................................................................................................... 18-10 Salaries and Expenses: Appropriations Language ................................................................................................................... 18-12 Lead-off Tabular Statement................................................................................................................ 18-13 Project Statement................................................................................................................................ 18-15 Justifications ....................................................................................................................................... 18-20 Proposed Legislation ......................................................................................................................... 18-43 Geographic Breakdown of Obligations and Staff Years .................................................................... 18-44 Classification by Objects .................................................................................................................... 18-46 New Budget Structure Proposal ......................................................................................................... 18-47 Proposed Budget Restructure ............................................................................................................. 18-48 Recovery Act ...................................................................................................................................... 18-50 Status of Program ............................................................................................................................... 18g-1 Buildings and Facilities: Appropriations Language ................................................................................................................... 18-51 Lead-off Tabular Statement................................................................................................................ 18-52 Project Statement................................................................................................................................ 18-52 Geographic Breakdown of Obligations and Staff Years .................................................................... 18-53 Classification by Objects .................................................................................................................... 18-54 Status of Program ............................................................................................................................... 18g-64 Summary of Budget and Performance Statement of Goals and Objectives..................................................................................................... 18-55 Strategic Funding Matrix ................................................................................................................... 18-61 Key Performance Outcomes and Measures ........................................................................................ 18-62 Full Cost by Strategic Objective ........................................................................................................ 18-66 18-1 ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE Purpose Statement The Secretary of Agriculture established the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on April 2, 1972, under the authority of Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 and other authorities. The mission of the Agency is to protect the health and value of American agriculture and natural resources. Together with its stakeholders, APHIS promotes the health of animal and plant resources to facilitate their movement in the global marketplace and to ensure abundant agricultural products and services for U.S. customers. APHIS strives to assure its stakeholders that it is on guard against the introduction or re-emergence of animal and plant pests and diseases that could limit agricultural production and damage export markets. At the same time, APHIS also monitors and responds to potential acts of agricultural bio-terrorism, invasive species, diseases of wildlife and livestock, and conflicts between humans and wildlife. The Agency also manages and resolves sanitary (animal) and phytosanitary (plant) trade barriers and addresses certain issues relating to the humane treatment of animals. Finally, APHIS ensures that biotechnology-derived agricultural products are safe for release in the environment. APHIS’ mission is carried out using three major areas of activity, as follows: Safeguarding and Emergency Preparedness/Response In addition to APHIS’ domestic monitoring, APHIS monitors plant and animal health throughout the world and uses the information to set effective agricultural import policies to prevent the introduction of foreign plant and animal pests and diseases. APHIS and the Department of Homeland Security cooperate to ensure that these policies are enforced at U.S. ports of entry. APHIS also develops and conducts pre-clearance programs to ensure that foreign agricultural products destined for the United States do not present a risk to U.S. agriculture. The Agency engages in cooperative programs to control pests of imminent concern to the United States and to strengthen foreign plant protection and quarantine organizations. APHIS certifies plants and plant products for export to the United States and regulates imports and exports of designated endangered plant species. APHIS assists U.S. exporters and the Foreign Agricultural Service in revising foreign plant and animal import regulations to encourage and increase U.S. agricultural exports. Should a pest or disease enter the United States, APHIS works cooperatively with other Federal, State, and industry partners to conduct plant and animal health monitoring programs to rapidly diagnose them and determine if there is a need to establish new pest or disease management programs. APHIS, in conjunction with States, industry, and other stakeholders, protects American agriculture by eradicating harmful pests and diseases or, where eradication is not feasible, by minimizing their economic impact. The Agency monitors endemic pests and diseases through surveys to detect their location and through inspection to prevent their spread into non-infested parts of the country. The Agency maintains a cadre of trained professionals prepared to respond immediately to potential animal and plant health emergencies. Program personnel investigate reports of suspected exotic pests and diseases and take emergency action if necessary. To facilitate these efforts, APHIS develops pathway studies and thoroughly investigates the progression of outbreaks to determine the origin of plant and animal pests and diseases. APHIS also actively engages State, Tribal, and local governments, and industries to advance their emergency preparedness and response capabilities. Through its Wildlife Services program, APHIS protects agriculture from detrimental animal predators through identification, demonstration, and application of the most appropriate methods of control. APHIS also develops methods to control animals and pests that are detrimental to agriculture, wildlife, and public safety. The Agency’s regulatory structure brings the benefits of genetic research to the marketplace, while protecting against the release of potentially harmful organisms into the environment. APHIS also conducts diagnostic laboratory activities that support the Agency’s veterinary disease prevention, detection, control, and eradication 18-2 programs. The Agency also provides and directs technology development in coordination with other groups in APHIS to support plant protection programs of the Agency and its cooperators at the State, national, and international levels. Safe Trade and International Technical Assistance Sanitary (animal) and phytosanitary (plant) (SPS) regulations can have a significant impact on market access for the United States as an exporter of agricultural products. APHIS plays a central role in resolving technical trade issues to ensure the smooth and safe movement of agricultural commodities into and out of the United States. This is done through negotiating access to new markets, preserving existing markets, and expanding existing markets. APHIS’ role is to negotiate animal and plant health certification requirements, assist U.S. exporters in meeting foreign regulatory requirements, ensure requirements are proportional to risk without being excessively restrictive, and provide any necessary technical information to support the safety of U.S. agricultural products destined for foreign markets. APHIS helps to protect the United States from emerging plant and animal pests and diseases while meeting obligations under the World Trade Organizations SPS agreement by assisting developing countries in improving their safeguarding systems. APHIS collaborates with other Federal agencies including the Foreign Agricultural
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