The primary goal of the survey is the prevention of establishment of target non-native snail and slug species known or suspected as being threats to the agricultural industries of washington state and…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded the State of Washington Department of Agriculture a $125,000 cooperative agreement on July 1, 2026, to conduct surveillance and eradication activities targeting non-native snail and slug species that threaten Washington's agricultural industries and export markets.

The recipient will execute a threefold approach: routine visual surveys at high-likelihood introduction sites such as ports; continued delimitation and eradication support at known introduction points and adjacent areas; and widespread visual surveys in regions with suitable environmental conditions for target species. Deliverables include maintaining Washington's pest-free status through early detection and possible eradication of economically important mollusk pests, protecting the state from destructive species, and preserving unregulated commodity exports to international markets. Intended beneficiaries are farmers, shippers, and exporters.

The budget allocates $60,411 for personnel (biologist and agricultural technician), $24,578 for fringe, $16,456 for travel (mileage and per diem), $2,003 for supplies (vials and traps), $3,900 for other costs (taxonomic and support services), and $17,652 for indirect expenses. No sub-recipients are identified at the time of award.

Work is performed in Washington. The period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The primary goal of the survey is the prevention of establishment of target non-native snail and slug species known or suspected as being threats to the agricultural industries of washington state and the united states activities to be performed: due to the combined risks of abundant introduction pathways, known introduction events requiring further monitoring, and widespread suitable establishment conditions, the approach of this survey will be threefold: 1) routine visual surveys at high-likelihood introduction sites such as ports; 2) continued delimitation and eradication support at points of known introductions and proximal areas, and; 3) widespread visual surveys in regions of suitable environmental conditions for target species. Deliverables and expected outcomes: 1. The pest free status of washington state will be maintained by early detection and possible eradication of an economically important group of mollusk pests; 2. Washington state will be protected from an important group of destructive mollusk pests; 3. The survey will help maintain the unregulated export of commodities from washington state to international markets. Intended beneficiary(IES): farmers, shippers, exporters. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a financials: personnel (biologist, AG tech) = $60,411; fringe = $24,578; travel (mileage, per diem) = $16,456; supplies (vials, traps) = @2,003; other (taxonomic, support) = $3,900; indirect = $17,652