How is APHIS incorporating new PPA authorities into regulatory activities?
Currently, APHISí Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program is developing plans and procedures to incorporate new PPA authorities. PPQ has identified eight PPA action areas and established implementation time frames to ensure new authorities are fully incorporated into program activities. These action areas include: 1. Publishing a public notice describing procedures and standards for import requests; 2. Conducting a study outlining the role and application of systems approaches associated with proposals to import plants and plant products; 3. Establishing uniform procedures for conducting warrantless inspections; 4. Developing guidelines for the issuance of subpoenas; 5. Creating guidelines for the standardization of civil penalties to be applied consistently nationwide for specific violations; 6. Establishing internal procedures for cost recovery of expenses related to the disposal of smuggled or illegal agricultural products that are abandoned after APHIS takes regulatory action
