AQI initiative. The DON't pack a pest traveler outreach progam is a cooperative effort of PPQ, U.S. Customs and border protection, and state departments of agriculture in multi

The Texas Department of Agriculture received a $350,000 cooperative agreement award from the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care federal grant program (CFDA 10.025).

The award will support the Don't Pack a Pest Traveler Outreach Program, a collaborative effort between the USDA's Plant Protection and Quarantine program, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and state departments of agriculture. The program aims to educate travelers on properly declaring and disposing of agriculture products to prevent the introduction and spread of economically damaging plant and animal pests and diseases. The Texas Department of Agriculture will leverage the funding to coordinate outreach efforts across participating state agencies from August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022.