The purpose of this work plan is to establish a cooperative agricultural pest survey (caps) agreement with the virgin islands department of agriculture (vida)

We are aiming to support efforts in establishing a distribution profile of plant pests of regulatory significance while conducting survey and trapping activities. This will also early pest/ disease detections that can be mitigated as early as possible. Justification of project: survey work conducted by virgin islands department of agriculture (vida) will allow US to confirm the presence or absence of plant pests/ diseases that can impact trade and the ecosystems. To achieve this, virgin islands department of agriculture (vida) will maintain a comprehensive network of CO-operators and stakeholders within virgin islands department of agriculture (vida). The primary objective of the cooperative agricultural pest survey (caps) program is to safeguard our nation's food and environmental security from exotic pests that threaten our production and ecological systems through detection of early exotic pests� infestations or introductions and bioterrorism. Exotic pests and bioterrorism represent a significant threat to agricultural commodities and overall biodiversity in natural areas. Deliverables and expected outcomes: establishment of a distribution profile of plant pests of regulatory significance. Establish and maintain a comprehensive trapping and surveying network. Develop virgin islands department of agriculture (vida) infrastructure and awareness. Confirm the presence or absence of plant pests that impact the domestic and international movement of plants and plant products. Establish and maintain a comprehensive network of cooperators and stakeholders. Early detection of exotic pest infestations or introductions. Ensure the economic and environmental stability of US agriculture. Impact of the mission, if not done: the impact of the mission if not done make the early detection of regulatory pest difficult. This will increase the costs of mitigating a pest once IT becomes established or spreads significantly. As a result, this can put the nation's agriculture and agricultural markets at risk and lead to negative outcomes. This could also pose a risk in some cases addressing the phytosanitary requirements of importing countries and retain access to foreign markets.