APHIS Implementing Risk-Based Sampling at 8 More Ports
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will extend its risk-based sampling procedures at plant inspection stations in Seattle, Los Angeles (El Segundo), Atlanta, Miami (air cargo), and Jamaica, New York beginning on Aug. 4, it said in an emailed bulletin. The agency will then proceed to implement risk-based sampling at plant inspections in Miami (maritime cargo), San Francisco (air cargo) and Los Indios, Texas beginning on Sept. 2, it said. Beginning on those dates, APHIS will use sampling rates and methods that consider input from affected industries to minimize adverse effects on commerce, it said.
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The risk-based procedures will mean more time to inspect some higher-risk shipments, said APHIS, because more samples may be inspected. “To expedite the process, importers should ensure that an adequate number of staff is available to unload sample units for inspection,” it said. “APHIS inspectors do not provide loading or unloading services.” If quarantine pests are detected on a commingled shipment, the entire shipment is subject to “action required,” said the agency. “APHIS is committed to providing the necessary number of inspectors to avoid any delays associated with the implementation of the new sampling protocol.”
Risk-based sampling procedures were first implemented in October 2013 at plant inspection stations in Linden, N.J.; San Juan, P.R.; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Houston, Texas. Plant inspection stations in Orlando, Nogales, San Diego and Beltsville, Md. followed in February.