Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
agricultural inspection policies to be carried out by DHS border inspectors, and
negotiate memoranda of understanding to assure that necessary inspections are
conducted. APHIS manages the data collected during the inspections process, and
monitors smuggling and trade compliance. USDA is also statutorily charged in
section 421 (e)(2)(A) of the act to “supervise” the training of CBP inspectors in
consultation with DHS.
This separation of duties is designed to allow for consolidated border inspec-
tions for intelligence and security goals, but preserve USDA's expertise and histori-
cal mission to set agricultural import policies.
Adding Agricultural Specialists
Under the CBP cross-training initiative in 2003 (also known as “one face at the
border”), most CBP inspectors are trained to perform inspections in all three areas
of customs, immigration, and agriculture. However, due to criticism from USDA,
inspection unions, and the agricultural industry, DHS created another class of
inspectors called agricultural specialists. Agricultural specialists will staff, primar-
ily, secondary inspection stations. These specialists will include former APHIS
inspectors who decided not to convert to CBP generalist inspectors and new agri-
cultural specialist trainees.
Before DHS was created, APHIS trained its inspectors in a nine-week course
that had science prerequisites. The initial DHS cross-training program announced
in 2003 had only 12-16 hours for agriculture in a 71-day course covering customs,
immigration, and agriculture. With the creation of the agricultural specialist posi-
tion, DHS created a 43-day training program for agricultural specialists.
Although DHS is training new agricultural specialists, the future size of the agri-
cultural specialist corps is not certain, given the eventual attrition of former APHIS
inspectors. Also, details are not available as to how these inspectors will be deployed
and how many ports of entry will be staffed with agricultural specialists (compared
with the APHIS deployment prior to DHS). Without agricultural specialists, pri-
mary agricultural inspections—the first line of defense for agricultural security—
may be conducted by cross-trained inspectors with limited agricultural training.
Executive Branch Actions
Shortly after September 11, 2001, USDA created a Homeland Security Staff in
the Office of the Secretary to develop a department-wide plan to coordinate agro-
terrorism preparedness plans among all USDA agencies and offices. Efforts have
been focused on three areas: food supply and agricultural production, USDA facili-
ties, and USDA staff and emergency preparedness. The Homeland Security Staff
also has become the department's liaison with Congress, the DHS, and other gov-
ernmental agencies on terrorism issues.
