Presentation: Study Abroad Students Can Help Protect the Safety of the U.S. Food Supply and Native Animal Species

A critical part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection mission is ensuring the safety of the U.S. food supply and native animal species.

During a typical day in FY 2020, CBP agriculture specialists detected and seized 3,091 prohibited plant, meat, animal byproducts and soil, and intercepted 250 insect pests at U.S. airports, seaports and land border ports.

If just one of these prohibited items had entered the U.S., it could have caused a catastrophic outbreak and cost billions in revenue loss.

CBP’s educational campaigns, like the Agriculture and Pork Board presentation, is targeted to study abroad students to help keep out invasive and dangerous items and products that may contain pests and diseases harmful to American agriculture and natural areas.

Knowing the facts about what agricultural products can and can’t be brought into the U.S., and the requirement to declare all agricultural items, is helpful to expedite entry and to keep out unwanted pests and diseases. CBP agriculture specialists, who are assigned to every airport and seaport, are available to answer any questions from travelers about these requirements.

We encourage you to review the Agriculture and Pork Board Study Abroad PowerPoint presentation with your students to help CBP keep animal and plant pests and diseases out of the U.S.