Each year, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services’ (APHIS) Impact Report is released. In 2022, we celebrated APHIS’ 50th anniversary. We did this while battling the twin challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic and the largest animal health outbreak in this country’s history: the ongoing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak, which stretched to 47 states.
Some of the 2022 impact report highlights:
- Inspected and cleared 2.82 billion pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables from 19 countries before they were shipped to the United States. Oversaw a systems approach for the safe import of 2.04 billion pounds of avocados in Mexico.
- Expanded the export of U.S. fresh potatoes to Mexico beyond the 26-kilometer border zone which is estimated to provide a market potential of $250 million, in five years. This is an increase of $190 million from the current export value of $60 million.
- Compliance market surveys in the protection zone to identify potential regulated or prohibited product and ensure its removal from the marketplace.
- Produced 1.04 billion sterile Mediterranean fruit flies weekly at the El Pino sterile insect facility in Guatemala, supporting preventative release programs in California and Florida, along with population control efforts in Guatemala and Mexico
You can read about these and other APHIS accomplishments in the 2022 Impact Report.
For more information: aphis.usda.gov
