USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Tuesday released a new five-year strategic plan for the agency.
The plan incorporates input received from stakeholders on the strategic framework published in June 2022.
The plan includes six strategic goals, outlining the objectives and performance measures that set the direction for the agency.
The goals focus on protecting agriculture from plant and animal diseases and pests, positioning the agency's workforce to better meet current and future challenges, delivering solutions that reduce the impacts of zoonotic and emerging diseases, and ecosystem changes, such as climate change, expanding safe trade, managing wildlife diseases, and promoting the welfare of animals.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service protects the health of U.S. agriculture and natural resources against invasive pests and diseases, regulates genetically engineered crops, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and helps people and wildlife coexist. APHIS also certifies the health of U.S. agricultural exports and resolves phytosanitary and sanitary trade issues.