WASHINGTON, March 7, 2019 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $1.7 million to Massachusetts from Section 7721 of the Plant Protection Act as part of its effort to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation, and to safeguard the U.S. nursery production system. Overall, USDA is providing $66 million in funding this year to support 407 projects in 49 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands. USDA provides this funding under the authority of the Plant Protection Act Section 7721.
“Massachusetts is a critical partner in protecting U.S. agriculture," said USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach.“With this funding, Massachusetts will be able to better protect its own resources, and, in doing so, contribute to USDA’s mission of keeping our nation’s agriculture economy healthy and strong."
These funds will support projects covering a range of plant health and pest mitigation activities, including the following:You can view the FY 2019 Plant Protection Act Section 7721 spending plans on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/ppa-projects.
APHIS created the Hungry Pests public outreach program to empower Americans with the knowledge they need to leave these "hungry pests" behind. Visit www.aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests to learn more about invasive plant pests and diseases impacting your area and how you can help.#
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
