Protecting Animal Health in a Global Environment;Miscellaneous pub

摘要

Todays global marketplace means greater access than ever before to agricultural commodities from around the world, but it also requires greater vigilance to ensure that imports and exports comply with international standards for trade. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) works to maintain clear rules for trade involving animals and animal products arriving in and leaving the United States. The international credibility of APHIS' Veterinary Services (VS) unit is a key factor in sustaining favorable trade status for U.S. animal exports. Through its various programs, centers, and laboratories, VS ensures the integrity of all animal imports and exports, whether the commodity at hand is a live animal, an animal product or byproduct, or a veterinary biologic. This diligence helps protect the United States against foreign animal diseases that could compromise the health and marketability of U.S. livestock. VS also helps reassure our trading partners that U.S. agricultural exports comply with their animal and animal product health standards and regulations.