USDA-APHIS Dedicates August to Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness

"Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month" is the new program for August by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This was conceived by the agency in response to the increasing problem on the entry of invasive species and pests to the country that have harmed the economy, the environment and the human health. Scientists estimated that the economic impact from invasive species exceed $1 billion annually in the U.S., in addition to the damage they cause to hundreds of millions of acres of native ecosystems and associated native plants and animals.

The APHIS news release itemized some activities throughout the month across the country according to the theme that would range from "giving presentations to provide information on invasive pests, the damage they cause, and what Americans can do to prevent their entry into the country and to stop their spread upon entry."

In addition, APHIS calls for citizens to be active and play a vital role in protecting US agriculture and the environment from invasive pests. A list of specific actions citizens can take to protect the nation's agricultural and ecological health can be downloaded in the APHIS factsheet "Attack of the Invasive Species" at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/plant_health/content/printable_version/attack_of_the_
invasive_species.pdf

The original news can be viewed at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2010/08/invasive_pest_awareness.shtml