Plant Health

$18.6K USD

Funder	Department of Agriculture
Recipient Organization	U.S. Government - Department of Agriculture
Country	Central America Region
Start Date	Jul 24, 2011
End Date	May 08, 2013
Duration	654 days
Number of Grantees	2
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	US Foreign Aid
Grant ID	`251149-85`

Grant Description

In 2003, during the negotiation of the United States - Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), Costa Rica presented a new market access request to export ornamental plants (specifically Dracaena spp) over 18 inches tall.

However due to the high interception rate of Dracaena spp, USDA/APHIS requested the implementation of a Pilot Clean Stock Program (CSP) intended to reduce the pest interceptions at US ports of entry.

USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) requested Costa Rica to continue transitioning all Dracaena spp exporters, packinghouses and growers to a fully implemented CSP program. PPQ has offered their assistance in developing an inspection training program.

Approximately 90% of prerogative material shipments from Costa Rica are exported through Miami Inspection Station, thus the request of having MIS personnel involved in this training.

The training included working with Costa Rican Ministry Inspectors and industry in identifying, recognizing and targeting most common intercepted pests and diseases in Dracaena spp. The results of the training will be to reduce