Safeguarding U.S. agriculture begins long before threats reach farms, fields, or food systems. It starts at our borders, in our laboratories, and through coordinated national surveillance systems designed to prevent and respond to emerging risks. Recognizing this, ASPB has joined a coalition of scientific and agricultural organizations in urging Congress to strengthen funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in Fiscal Year 2027.
In a joint letter to appropriators, the coalition calls for targeted investments across key APHIS programs, emphasizing that “APHIS protects the health, welfare, and value of American agriculture and natural resources through its many program areas.” These programs play a critical role in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive pests, plant diseases, and animal health threats that can have devastating economic and ecological consequences.
Among these efforts, the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program stands as a first line of defense. The letter underscores that “funding PPQ’s work is one of the best ways to protect American agriculture,” highlighting the significant and growing economic costs associated with invasive species and the value of prevention. Sustained and strategic investment in APHIS ensures that the United States remains prepared to address evolving threats from invasive pests to zoonotic diseases while supporting safe trade, innovation in biotechnology, and the resilience of agricultural systems.
ASPB is proud to support this coalition effort and to advocate for the science-based programs that protect plant health, animal health, and the security of the U.S. food system.
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