The Pest Detection program supports APHIS’ goal of safeguarding
U.S. agricultural and environmental resources by ensuring that
new introductions of harmful plant pests and diseases are
detected as soon as possible, before they have a chance to cause
significant damage. A strong domestic agricultural pest
detection system is an essential element in providing a
continuum of checks from offshore preclearance programs,
domestic port inspections, and surveys in rural and urban sites
across the United States. The program uses a multi-pronged
strategy to accomplish its mission, involving: These efforts are
accomplished by involving stakeholders and the scientific
community, and leveraging efforts by other Agencies in USDA,
government entities, State departments of agriculture,
universities, and industry partners. APHIS and its State
cooperators carry out surveys for high-risk pests through a
network of cooperators in the Cooperative Agricultural Pest
Survey (CAPS) program. The CAPS program conducts science-based
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