USDA’s APHIS Celebrating 50 Years of Protecting American Agriculture

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is celebrating a serious milestone – 50 years of serving the general public as a Federal company. USDA created APHIS on April 2, 1972 to consolidate animal well being, plant well being, and inspection duties beneath one roof. The new company targeted on defending American agriculture and pure sources, together with guaranteeing the humane care of sure animals. While each APHIS and the world have modified so much over the previous 50 years, the company’s key mission stays the identical at the moment.

“The keys to APHIS’ long-term success are our dedicated, skilled employees and the strong partnerships we develop with our many stakeholders,” stated APHIS Administrator Kevin Shea. “It takes many hands working together to protect the health of our nation’s animals, plants and natural resources.”

(*50*) of APHIS’ key accomplishments over the previous 50 years embody:

• Eradicating plant pests like European grapevine moth and plum pox from the nation, whereas decreasing the impression of others plant illnesses, together with boll weevil and Mediterranean and Mexican fruit flies;
• Eradicating severe animal illnesses, together with extremely pathogenic avian influenza, virulent Newcastle illness, and pseudorabies, from the nation’s herds and flocks, whereas decreasing the prevalence of different animal illnesses like bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis;
• Improving look after laboratory animals, exhibited animals and different animals lined by the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act;
• Ensuring genetically engineered crops don’t pose a threat to plant well being, whereas maintaining with the ever-changing expertise on this subject;
• Reducing the impression of wildlife harm on agriculture and pure sources, and growing new instruments and methods for non-lethal wildlife administration; and
• Ensuring secure commerce of agriculture commodities throughout the globe

Earlier at the moment, APHIS launched a brand new web page on its web site to share a collection of visible timelines strolling by means of the company’s historical past and vital milestones. There’s additionally a video from Administrator Shea. In the approaching weeks, APHIS will share historical past highlights on its social media accounts.

“It’s exciting to be celebrating 50 years as an agency. And I’m even more excited to look to our future,” stated Administrator Shea. “APHIS’ core work will remain, but we know we will continue to face new and different challenges—from the impacts of climate change to new horizons in One Health. Our role will evolve as science and agriculture evolve. And I know that whatever the next 50 years brings for APHIS, our employees will remain committed to protecting the health and vitality of American agriculture.”