USDA `Blitzes’ Vehicles from Canada

September 25, 2000

USDA recently conducted five days of intensified inspections, or a "blitz," of vehicles crossing into the United States from Canada. During these blitzes, which took place in Buffalo, NY, and Detroit, MI, officials from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service inspected vehicles for prohibited agricultural products that could be harboring exotic pests or diseases, such as Mediterranean fruit fly or citrus canker.

"Blitzes are just another way in which APHIS protects American agriculture from foreign plant pests and diseases," said Richard L. Dunkle, deputy administrator of plant protection and quarantine with APHIS, a part of USDA's marketing and regulatory programs mission area. "These intensified inspections during high traffic periods are necessary to gain a better

understanding of the types of prohibited products being brought into the United States."

During the five day blitz, APHIS inspected more than 3,500 vehicles and seized approximately six and one_half tons of prohibited agricultural materials. From these prohibited materials, more than 200 pests that threaten American agriculture, including fruit fly larvae, pink hibiscus mealybug, and snails, were found. APHIS also collected more than $13,500 in fines.

APHIS inspectors work at U.S. ports of entry to screen all passenger baggage, vehicles, cargo, mail, and ship and airline food supplies for prohibited agricultural materials that may contain exotic pests or diseases. These pests and diseases could threaten the U.S. food supply, damage natural resources, and cost American taxpayers millions of dollars for higher priced food and the cost of control and eradication programs, according to APHIS.