APHIS Strategic Plan 2015

February 3, 2015 — 

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently released its five year strategic plan. The document outlines how the agency plans to achieve its mission to safeguard the health, welfare and value of American agriculture and natural resources. To accomplish its mission, APHIS’ goals are to:

• Prevent the entry and spread of agricultural pests and diseases (Goal 1).
• Ensure the humane treatment and care of vulnerable covered animals (Goal 2).
• Protect forests, urban landscapes, rangelands and other natural resources, as well as private working lands from harmful pests and diseases (Goal 3).
• Ensure the safety, purity, and effectiveness of veterinary biologics and protect plant health by optimizing our oversight of genetically engineered (GE) organisms (Goal 4).
• Ensure the safe trade of agricultural products, creating export opportunities for U.S. producers (Goal 5).
• Protect the health of U.S. agricultural resources, including addressing zoonotic disease issues and incidences, by implementing surveillance, preparedness and response, and control programs (Goal 6).
• Create an APHIS for the 21st Century that is high-performing, efficient, adaptable, and embraces civil rights (Goal 7).

These seven strategic goals articulate the Agency’s priorities. These goals contain 21 objectives that include the Agency’s major programmatic efforts and cover the programs and services that APHIS administers.