PPQ Official Sets 2013/14 Priorities for Plant Import Inspection and Regulation
New Plant Protection and Quarantine head Osama El-Lissy pledged a thorough review of the Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection program, among other trade-related initiatives, in an Aug. 20 outline of PPQ priorities for 2013 and 2014. El-Lissy also pledged more cooperation between PPQ, an agency within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and CBP, as well as with foreign countries like Mexico and Canada.
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In its AQI review, El-Lissy said PPQ will “reinvigorate our AQI mission through strategic analyses of trends and infrastructure needs, strengthening our ability to perform our AQI functions and support the agriculture mission of [CBP].” El-Lissy also hopes to work with CBP to maximize data-sharing between the two agencies.
Another priority is a reduction in regulatory action required by the agency for the importation and interstate movement of low-risk pests, the PPQ deputy administrator said. “We will achieve the reduction through changes in rules, regulations, and operations,” said El-Lissy. PPQ will judge its progress through fewer permits issued for low risk shipments, simplification and standardization of permits, compliance agreements, and notifications for low-risk organisms, he said.
And on the international front, PPQ hopes to continue its effort towards coordination of inspection activities and regulatory harmonization, El-Lissy said. The group is currently working on projects on wood packing materials, nursery stock certification, and chrysanthemum white rust regulations with Canada (see 13081324), and El-Lissy says it will work “likewise” with Mexico.