National Plant Board

National Plant Board Representatives on Non-NPB Committees

USDA APHIS BRS Cooperative Agreement Model/Template Development Working Group

Lead: Judy Garrison, APHIS, BRS


USDA APHIS BRS Key Electronic Data Management Issues (i.e.E-Permits) Working Group


USDA APHIS BRS Pilot Inspection Program Steering Committee

The purpose of this committee is to oversee the second phase of the BRS Pilot Inspection Program. The second phase will further examine state inspections of BRS field trials. This will be accomplished by working with two or three pilot states to resolve some of the issues identified by NASDA and BRS in the initial pilot project. During this second phase of the pilot inspection project, NPB will help determine if it is feasible for states to inspect introductions of GE organisms and to develop a model for a larger scale implementation of a state BRS inspection program. Some of the issues to be evaluated include: 1) Confidential Business Information (CBI); 2) Training and Reference Materials; 3) Roles and Responsibilities; 4) Communication Chains and Work Flow; 5) Sufficient Lead Time; 6) Availability of State Resources; 7) Priority of BRS inspections to state work; and 8) Choice of individual states to participate or not. Co-Chairs: Gwen Burnett, BRS and Terry Walker AR

Report on the BRS Pilot State Inspections Program (Phase Two - 2008), pdf ~1MB

USDA APHIS PPQ Citrus Health Response Program (CHRP) National Program Coordination Group

The group participates in various working groups in support of the citrus health response program. The goal of the CHRP is to sustain the United States’ citrus industry, to maintain grower’s continued access to export markets, and to safeguard against a variety of citrus diseases and pests.


USDA APHIS PPQ Export Certification Work Group

The former Export Board of Advisors has been restructured as the Export Certification Working Group, which also includes a member representing California County Agriculture Commissioners, Marilyn Kinoshita. The purpose of the group will be to review export policies and procedures for consistency and for their impacts on States. They will also discuss upcoming initiatives and changes to policies.

Meeting Notes (attachments included):
December 13, 2012
August 30, 2012
June 28, 2012
April 26, 2012
February 23, 2012
January 26, 2012
December 8, 2011
October 6, 2011
August 4, 2011
May 26, 2011
March 17, 2011
January 20, 2011
November 16, 2010
September 28, 2010

USDA APHIS PPQ Federally Recognized State Managed Phytosanitary Program (FRSMP) Working Group

This group provides State perspective and guidance on the development of the Federally Recognized State Managed Phytosanitary Program, formerly known as official control.


USDA APHIS PPQ Integrated Plant Health Information System (IPHIS)

The IPHIS is a system to be used in domestic or day-to-day operations to more efficiently facilitate emergency programs. IPHIS is being designed to provide a complete data management solution for PPQ and cooperating agencies by integrating existing systems focused on core program functions (i.e. Survey, Diagnostic, Regulatory, Control) - Leader Todd Schroeder, USDA APHIS PPQ, 301.734.5700.

IPHIS Executive Steering Committee (ESC)
The purpose of the ESC is to provide guidance and direction regarding resources, priority of work to be performed, alignment of system and organizational challenges, and schedules for delivery under the IPHIS investment. The ESC will resolve issues prepared by the IPHIS Change Control Board and/or others to ensure the future direction of the IPHIS investment is sound and there are adequate resources available to deliver and manage the system. Co-Chairs: Osama El-Lissy and Matthew Royer, PPQ

IPHIS Change Control Board (CCB)
The purpose of the CCB is to control IPHIS within the parameters set by the ESC. In particular, the CCB will provide oversight for bug fixes as well as the addition of new functionality and ensure that new capabilities are fully integrated and use standard data structures and lists.Co-Chairs: David Kowalski and Jeffrey Marker, PPQ

NPB Liaison TBD

USDA APHIS PPQ National CAPS Committee

The purpose of the National Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Committee (NCC) is to provide guidance at the national and state level for the pest detection program. The Committee provides national guidance for policy, procedures, budgets, and performance tracking of CAPS initiatives. It helps to finalize the annual PPQ National CAPS Guidelines, including a list of exotic plant pests for survey priority, and communicates standardized survey methodologies. It helps establish communication objectives, policies, and plans to the stakeholders that the NCC members represent.

The NCC meets once a month on the first Thursday of the month by teleconference to discuss and plan CAPS business. Additionally, the NCC meets annually face-to-face in late January to review the CAPS program and initiatives, set priorities for the coming year, and begin to prepare the next year's edition of the CAPS Survey Guidelines and pest lists.


USDA APHIS PPQ CAPS Diagnostic Support Committee


USDA APHIS PPQ National Clean Plant Network (NCPN)

NCPN is governed by a central Core Working Group (CWG) made up of a member each from APHIS, ARS and NIFA. The CWG is assisted by a National Governing Body (NGB) comprising five state and federal invited members.

NPB NGB Members:

The NGB is composed of industry stakeholders, academic and state and federal government representatives who develop standard operating procedures to be followed throughout the network. Board members are elected, nominated or invited based on expertise and geographical location to represent the specialty crops served by the NCPN. The Board establishes work groups as needed and provides the work groups with guidelines for their operation. All operating procedures are published and provided to stakeholders for input. Stakeholder input is used to modify operating procedures as needed and operating procedures are validated prior to implementation. A consultative process is used that involves all stakeholders to ensure relevance of the material inventoried in working collections.

Specialty Crop Committee Members

Tree Fruit:

Grapes:

Citrus:

  • Peggy Sieburth, Lisa Williams, FL (SPB)

Berries:

Hops:

  • VACANT


USDA APHIS PPQ National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) Operations Committee

The NPDN was established in 2002 by legislative mandate in response to the need to enhance agricultural security through protection of the health and productivity of plants in agricultural and natural ecosystems in the U.S. The specific purpose of the NPDN is to provide a nationwide network of public agricultural institutions with a cohesive, distributed system to quickly detect high consequence pests and pathogens that have been introduced into agricultural and natural ecosystems, identify them, and immediately report them to appropriate responders and decision makers. The Operations Committee is the steering body of this network.


National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) Data Sharing Committee


National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN) Exercise Committee


USDA APHIS PPQ New Pest Advisory Group (NPAG)

The NPAG, through their executive secretary, sends requests for input from the NPB to the NPB regional representatives listed below. They in turn ask for information from their regional board members and reply back to the NPAG. It is requested that a "no response/concern" be provided as well as any concerns to the list of pests provided for review by the NPAG. NPAG Lead: Christie Bertone, Executive Secretary Christie.A.Bertone@aphis.usda.gov


USDA APHIS PPQ Phytosanitary Certification, Inspection and Tracking Working Group (PCIT)


USDA APHIS PPQ P. ramorum Regulatory Working Group

The purpose of the P. ramorum Regulatory Working Group is to review, evaluate, and plan for implementation of the recommendations of the P. ramorum program review conducted in December 2009. The group is looking at a wide variety of issues, including regulatory protocols, triggers for regulation/deregulation, critical control points, high-risk plants, implications of soil and water positives, compliance agreements, import requirements, and other relevant issues and information.


USDA APHIS PPQ Plant Health Programs Permitting Board of Advisors

APHIS' permitting regulations for the importation, movement and environmental release of regulated organisms, Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, part 330 (7 CFR 330), require updating to be aligned with the Plant Protection Act of 2000 (PPA), current policies and practices, and to address recommendations of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The 7 CFR 330 was updated in the early 1980’s, with proposed changes published in 2001. APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) established the Plant Health Programs Permitting Board of Advisors in 2006 to solicit input from the various stakeholders that will be impacted by any changes to the current regulations, policies and practices. The group has been providing APHIS with options that would facilitate the interests of both the regulatory and regulated community.


USDA APHIS PPQ Post-Entry Quarantine Review Group

The purpose of this group and its sub-groups has been to perform a comprehensive, systematic review of the PEQ Program. The groups have been in existence for about 2 years. PPQ is currently in the process of preparing a white paper to collectively compile what has been completed so far and determine the status of ongoing activities. Three of the six sub-groups have completed most or all of their assigned goals and objectives and are now participating in a reference capacity. Of the remaining three sub-groups, one is slated to complete many of its remaining tasks within about 6 months. The second is in the process of reestablishing as the leadership has changed. The third group completed many of its assigned goals; however, there are remaining tasks that need to move through the regulatory process and some items that are tied to the development of the ARM database, which is in the process and anticipated for final rollout in about 3 years). The white paper will help identify key issues, concerns, and recommendations so that these can be further considered and implemented by PPQ.


USDA APHIS PPQ Quality Assurance Working Group (Ad-hoc)

The Quality Assurance Working Group is an ad-hoc group that helps PPQ conduct a full quality assurance review of one to two programs each year. In FY 2011, PPQ anticipates conducting one review (program to be determined).

NPB representatives “to be determined” based on which program will be reviewed.


USDA APHIS PPQ Section 10201 Farm Bill Planning Group

The purpose of the group is to review the Farm Bill Section 10201 submissions and prioritize the benefits and costs of the projects in order to develop a spending plan. The group meets once a year.


USDA APHIS PPQ SITC Council of Operational Advisors (COA)

The COA (formerly known as the SITC Board of Advisors) has become an operationally-focused group internal to PPQ. It provides subject matter expertise on Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance issues to the PPQ Leadership Team (PPQ LT) by identifying operational issues/situations of national interest or scope and making recommendations towards solutions. The COA is also charged with addressing operational communications, coordination, and program planning issues, and examining the pros and cons of alternative courses of action to make specific recommendations. The COA is also the body that maintains and updates the SITC strategic plan and identifies resource needs. Periodic interaction with the National Plant Board continues to be valued by the COA; consequently, Gray Haun serves as the NPB liaison to the COA on an as-needed basis.


USDA APHIS PPQ Weed Policy

Tries to meet monthly to discuss weed issues.  Al Tasker, APHIS Weed Coordinator, is the team leader (301-734-5708).


USDA FS Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team Steering Committee

Chair: Frank Sapio, Fort Collins, CO, 970.295.5840


APHIS and CBP Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI) Partnership Council

In April 2007, APHIS and CBP convened a Joint Agency Task Force to evaluate the effectiveness of our agriculture programs and develop recommendations for improvements in areas identified by stakeholders and Government oversight agencies. 13 action plans on enhancing AQI at U.S. ports of entry and border crossings were developed. The action plans are concerned with efforts to improve the agriculture management and leadership structure; improve communication and information sharing among CBP, PPQ, and stakeholders; implement a joint planning process; develop performance measures; develop a joint emergency response plan; improve information management; increase financial transparency; improve training; coordinate regulatory enforcement; improve the pest identification process; ensure quality; and enhance the canine program. The Task Force created a Partnership Council consisting of members from the National Plant Board, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), and the National Association of State Animal Health Officials (NASAHO) to oversee progress made by the two agencies in enhancing AQI. The Partnership Council was developed to bring a cooperator and stakeholder perspective to the process and monitor progress on the Action Plans. Other members include: Dr. David Smith and Dr. Tom Holt, NASAHO, Rotation Pending (2), NASDA


Chilli Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) Interagency Working Group

NPB representatives and APHIS PPQ staff from impacted states and regions will work together in designing and implementing necessary operational plans to prevent or minimize Chilli Thrips effects on the various industries. The working Group will be taking into consideration the following issues: 1) Industry concerns and needs; 2) Economic implications of the pest; 3) Technical recommendations; 4) practical options to limit the spread and impact of Chilli Thrips; and 5) Assist in the registration of needed insecticides. Lead: Bill Grefenstette.


Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council, Government Coordinating Council

The Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) represents a partnership between government and critical infrastructure/key resource (CI/KR) owners and operators and provides a forum in which they can engage in a broad spectrum of activities to support and coordinate critical infrastructure protection. Food and Agriculture is one of 16 sectors represented in CIPAC. Within each sector, members comprise the Sector Coordinating Council (SCC), representing private enterprise, or the Government Coordinating Council (GCC), representing state, federal or tribal government agencies. The National Plant Board is represented by one member on the GCC of the Food and Agriculture Sector. CoChair: David Kaplan, PPQ


Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education (PIPE) Steering Committee

The steering committee (PIPE SC), comprising approximately 25 stakeholders, will guide the PIPE, specifically including: coordination and assuring stakeholder input; setting policy; establishing processes for inclusion of new components; development of a business plan, management structure and an advisory council; setting goals; planning, monitoring and evaluating activities; and maintaining long term sustainability.


Interagency Communications Committee

Formed to improve communication of relevant information between Plant Protection and Quarantine and the National Plant Board, and to strengthen the State-Federal relationship.
Co-Chairs: Gray Haun, NPB; Paula Henstridge, APHIS, PPQ


NAPPO Panels

The North American Plant Protection Organization provides a forum for public and private sectors in Canada, the United States and Mexico to collaborate in the development of science-based regional standards intended to protect agricultural, forest and other plant resources against regulated plant pests, while facilitating trade. There are currently 16 NAPPO panels, three of which have NPB representation. Panel members are composed of experts who carry out tasks assigned by the NAPPO Executive Committee. Panel members are expected to meet at least once a year.


National Gypsy Moth Management Board

The purpose of the group is to assist in reviewing and coordinating gypsy moth activities in the United States, to make recommendations to the USDA, State Agencies and private organizations, particularly regarding development and implementation of IPM programs for gypsy moth and the eradication of isolated infestations, to conduct educational programs, and to act as a focal point for nationwide concerns about gypsy moth. This board has not been active in the past year and is utilized on an as needed basis.


National Invasive Species Council, Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC)

Executive Order 13112 calls for the creation of a Federal Advisory Committee to provide information and advice for consideration by the NISC. The Advisory Committee is composed of stakeholders from state organizations, industry, conservation groups, scientists, academia and other interests.


National Seed Health System Seed Technical Working Group

This group meets once a year, usually in conjunction with the American Seed Trade Association meeting. They also have conference calls throughout the year as needed. The group provides insights into the National Seed Health System (an APHIS-led organization) on policy and operational decisions regarding seed health export issues. This group plans to keep meeting into the foreseeable future. Other members of the group include APHIS and ASTA members, Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA), and Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA).


State National Harmonization Plan (SNHP)/Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Technical Working Group (Formerly Potato MOU Committee)

The Group's purpose is to provide oversight for the SNHP/MOU that would eventually attain a central control system over pest management and seed certification for U.S. potatoes. The SNHP seeks to facilitate U.S. international negotiations on market access for potatoes by developing a minimum set of pest management and certification standards, establishing a State commitment to those standards, and establishing Federal oversight over the implementation of the SNHP.


Seed Potato MOU Quality Manual Review Committee

This committee will review Seed Potato MOU quality assurance manuals. Members include Jeanne Van Dersal, Robert Bailey and Mike Ward, USDA, and seed certification officials, Dr. Amy Charkowski - Wisconsin and Alan Westra – New York.

National Potato MOU
States with a signed Potato MOU:
AK AL CA MI NY PA WI WV

Quality Manual Template
States with both a signed Potato MOU and a completed quality manual and audit:
CO ID ME MN MT ND NE OR WA WY

Question and Answers for the State National Harmonization Program for Seed Potatoes

Systems Approach to Nursery Certification (SANC)

Purpose: To evaluate the findings of audit-based certification studies funded under the Farm Bill; and to determine the feasibility of developing and harmonizing national standards for a voluntary audit-based nursery certification program. Leads: Gray Haun TN, Carl Schulze NJ, and Sam Johnson PPQ

Please also visit the SANC Website, sanc.nationalplantboard.org

Committee documents:
Report to APHIS on the National Voluntary Audit-Based Systems Approach to Nursery Certification Project 2011

SANC PowerPoint (updated April 9, 2012)

Evaluation of the USDA/APHIS United States Nursery Certification Program (USNCP)

National Plant Board ABC - Survey Summary March 2011


Technical Advisory Group for Biological Control of Weeds (TAGBCW)

The TAGBCW consists of representatives of various U.S. Federal agencies, the Federal Governments of Mexico and Canada (Ad Hoc members), and one representative of state government. The inter-agency TAGBCW was created in 1957 and is currently chaired by a TAGBCW member from the Army Corps of Engineers. The primary purpose of the TAGBCW is to provide guidance to the biological control researchers. The TAGBCW reviews petitions from biological control researchers and provides recommendations, to PPQ permitting program for a "first-time" release of biological control agents of weeds.


Work Completed:

National Plant Health Emergency Framework Committee

National Firewood Task Force
National Firewood Task Force Recommendations (March 2010)
NPB Policy Statement Regarding Organizational Support for Recommendations Developed by the National Firewood Task Force (NPB-2010-01), (September 30, 2010)

USDA APHIS PPQ BRS Developing Regulating GMO Educational Materials Working Group

USDA APHIS PPQ BRS Directory Contact List Working Group

USDA APHIS PPQ BRS Permit Concurrence Committee

USDA APHIS PPQ BRS Regulatory Process Training Development Working Group

USDA APHIS PPQ Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST) Board of Directors

USDA APHIS PPQ CPHST National Plant Protection Laboratory Accreditation Program (NPPLAP) Committee

USDA APHIS PPQ Compliance Agreement Committee

USDA APHIS PPQ Official Control Working Group

USDA APHIS PPQ R-5 Technical Task Force

USDA APHIS PPQ Soybean Rust Technical Committee

USDA National CAPS Advisory Group

National Seed Health System (NSHS) Program Review
NPB/USDA Joint National Seed Health System Review: Report and Recommendations, December 30, 2010

Phytophthora ramorum BMP Steering Committee

 

Last Modified: April 15, 2013