The funds from this agreement will directly support survey and inspection efforts, activities to develop enhanced PA rtnerships with other state and federal cooperators, and outreach opportunities…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded $1.342 million to the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services under Cooperative Agreement AP26PPQFO000C473 on September 26, 2026, through the Plant Protection and Quarantine program.

The award funds survey and inspection activities to detect exotic plant pests at high-risk entry points and pathways in Florida, including agricultural interdiction stations in North Florida, import centers, high-risk nurseries, distribution centers, and express courier facilities. State personnel will conduct inspections, deploy traps, and perform visual surveys for targeted pests using CAPS-approved methodologies. Detector dog teams will support exotic mollusk survey and post-Giant African Snail eradication efforts. The recipient will develop and distribute outreach materials to educate stakeholders and the public about the risks of agricultural product movement and USDA and state regulatory roles.

The award runs through September 25, 2027, with performance taking place in Florida. Expected outcomes include early detection and prevention of plant pest establishment, identification of pest movement pathways, communication with trading partners, and increased awareness of exotic pest threats. The work directly supports Florida's role as a sentinel state for exotic plant pests, with the state detecting 14 to 20 new pest species annually on average.

Activities

The activities of the agreement focus on the enhanced survey at points of entry, including agricultural interdiction stations in north florida, import centers, high-risk nurseries, distribution centers and detector DOG inspections at various express courier locations. In addition, one or more of the detector DOG teams will directly support the ongoing exotic mollusk survey post giant african snail eradication. State personnel will conduct inspections, deploy traps, and conduct visual surveys for targeted pests; most of which will follow caps approved survey methodologies. Additionally, outreach materials will be developed and distributed to help educate stakeholders and the general public about the risks associated with the movement of agricultural products, and the role USDA and division of plant industry, florida department of agriculture and consumer services (FDACS) play in association with these issues. Deliverables and expected outcomes: the results and success of the project will include early pest detection and prevention of plant pest establishment in florida and the united states, identification of pathways, communication with trading partners and an increased awareness of the threat of domestic and foreign pest introduction. Intended beneficiary(IES): florida is a sentinel state for exotic plant pests, averaging 14-20 new detections annually. Much of florida's agricultural industry, and that of the nation, could be SE verely impacted should any of these pests become established in the US. The ability to provide for the early detection of them greatly enhances the opportunity for eradication, mitigation strategies, lower the costs of that mitigation to growers and lessen the impact on international trade. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: N/a. Cost categories: personnel: $708,640; fringe benefits: $367,964.80; travel: $50,875; supplies: $51,423.16; contractual: $13,018.24; other: T$150,540.80 (VET expenses, kennel costs, postage/shipping, outreach materials)