The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting stakeholders to submit project suggestions for fiscal year (FY) 2020 Plant Protection Act Section 7721 funding to implement the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program.
The open period for submitting suggestions will last six weeks, from July 15 through August 23, 2019. There will be $75 million available with at least $5 million going to the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN). The open period for submitting NCPN project suggestions will be announced separately. Stakeholders who are interested in learning more about the suggestion submission process may join a webinar on July 16, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. Eastern time. For information:
https://pdclearning.adobeconnect.com/_a988829320/ppa/.
The Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program is organized into six strategic goal areas under which projects are evaluated and funded. The FY 2020 Implementation Plan provides goal area guidance, with specific objectives to assist those who wish to submit a suggestion that is clearly aligned to a goal area:
1. Enhancing plant pest/disease analysis and survey
2. Targeting domestic inspection activities at vulnerable points in the safeguarding continuum
3. Enhancing and strengthening pest identification and technology
4. Safeguarding nursery production
5. Conducting targeted outreach and education; and
6. Enhancing mitigation and rapid response capabilities
Visit www.aphis.usda.gov/ppa-projects to get resources and guidance for potential cooperators, including the FY 2020 Implementation Plan, templates, help session webinar schedule, frequently asked questions, and more.
Through the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program, APHIS provides funding to strengthen and safeguard the nation’s agricultural infrastructure. APHIS is committed to partnering with states, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, universities, non-profits and tribal organizations to extend its ability to protect, detect, and respond to plant pests and diseases with projects identified and tailored locally and regionally.
Source: Agropages