Homeland security : agriculture inspection program has made some improvements, but management challenges persist : report to congressional requesters.

Format:

Book

Government document

Author/Creator:

United States. Government Accountability Office

Contributor:

Shames, Lisa

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States. Department of Homeland Security--Management--Evaluation.

United States.

United States. Department of Agriculture--Management--Evaluation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection--Management--Evaluation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

United States. Department of Agriculture.

United States. Department of Homeland Security.

Introduced organisms--United States--Prevention.

Introduced organisms.

Nonindigenous pests--United States--Prevention.

Nonindigenous pests.

Biological invasions--United States--Prevention.

Biological invasions.

Agricultural pests--Control--United States.

Agricultural pests.

Agricultural pests--Control.

Biological invasions--Prevention.

Management--Evaluation.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ii, 51 pages) : illustrations

Other Title:

Agriculture inspection program has made some improvements, but management challenges persist

Agriculture inspections

Place of Publication:

[Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2012]

Summary:

According to DHS, invasive species cause an estimated $136 billion in lost agricultural revenue annually, and since September 11, 2001, concerns have persisted about the vulnerability of agriculture to deliberate introduction of foreign pests and disease. DHS and USDA manage the AQI program, which places agriculture inspectors at U.S. ports of entry to inspect imported agriculture products and intercept foreign pests. GAO reported in 2006 on management challenges in the program and made seven recommendations to improve it. GAO was asked to examine the extent to which (1) DHS and USDA implemented GAO's recommendations; (2) data on arrivals, inspections, and interceptions are used for managing the program; and (3) the views of AQI agriculture specialists on their work environment have changed since 2006. GAO surveyed a representative sample of agriculture specialists and supervisors; reviewed key documents and inspection procedures; visited five selected ports of entry based on size and entry pathways, such as air or sea; interviewed DHS and USDA officials; and reviewed AQI data. The survey instrument and most results can be viewed at GAO-12-884SP. GAO recommends, among other things, that (1) DHS and USDA develop a joint strategic plan for the AQI program, (2) DHS develop a plan for implementing a staffing model, and (3) DHS and USDA take steps to improve the reliability of certain data. DHS and USDA agreed with the recommendations.

Notes:

Title from cover screen (viewed Oct. 24, 2012).

"September 2012."

Includes bibliographical references.

"GAO-12-885."

OCLC:

814321603