The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is intensifying its efforts to prevent the import of toxic and illegal substances into the United States, working closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Recently, Jeffrey Hall, the newly confirmed Assistant Administrator overseeing the EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, visited southern California with Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator Craig Pritzlaff. Their visit included a tour of the Port of Los Angeles to strengthen cooperation between agencies.
Under the Trump administration, the EPA has expanded its capacity to investigate imports beyond previous efforts. This year alone, 1,632,602 pounds of illegal pesticide imports have been blocked at various ports across the country. The agency aims to protect communities and maintain agricultural integrity by targeting smuggling operations involving pesticides and chemicals.
During his visit, Hall met with Africa R. Bell, Port Director at Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport, and other CBP officials to discuss ongoing collaboration in preventing dangerous imports. Hall emphasized the importance of enforcing laws and monitoring products entering U.S. borders to ensure they do not pose risks to public health.
Port Director Bell highlighted CBP's mission to protect against threats such as illegal pesticides and chemicals, noting that their partnership with the EPA is crucial for intercepting harmful substances before they reach American communities.
The EPA's renewed focus on import enforcement aligns with its Make America Healthy Again strategy by prioritizing the removal of toxins from food systems and communities.
