Walker Gray Haun
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - 9:00-9:30
Once alien insects or pathogens have been introduced to the United States, state departments of Agriculture are front line troops in efforts to prevent the pests’ spread to vulnerable areas and – where possible – bring about the pests’ eradication. State DoAs work with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to detect and determine the size and location of outbreaks; adopt regulations and conduct educational programs aimed at preventing human-assisted spread of the pests; carry out cutting, spraying, or other programs to suppress or eradicate the pest; and assist with testing biological control agents. State DoAs coordinate their own programs and their interactions with APHIS through the National Plant Board and several regional Plant boards. The talk will focus on State DoAs’ experience with Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, Sirex woodwasp, and sudden oak death pathogen – including both the agencies’ activities and the political, economic, and legal factors that enter into development and implementation of such programs.
Keywords: ALIEN FOREST DISEASES, ALIEN FOREST INSECTS, EMERALD ASH BORER, SIREX WOODWASP