Resources
Enhancing communication and training
STRONGER TOGETHER
Formed in 2008, the NPB and PPQ Interagency Relations Committee took on the challenge of strengthening the relationship between partners. This resulted in strengthening the relationships between State Plant Regulatory Officials (SPROs) and State Plant Health Directors (SPHDs), establishing the PPQ position of State Liaison, establishing a schedule of bimonthly calls and twice annual meetings between NPB and PPQ leadership. Additionally, protocols were developed to ensure a standardized process for notifying states of new pest detections and that SPROs and SPHDs receive plant health notifications simultaneously.
Turnover in both organizations resulted in a renewed effort in 2016 to review and reinvigorate the commitment to communication. The overarching goal was to ensure a culture of communication and collaboration in both organizations supported by effective coordination, protocols, and processes.
Resources:
APHIS roles and responsibilities:
- BRS contact list for SPROs (June 2023)
- PPQ Trade Directors (July 2023)
- PPQ POCs (March 2025)
- Pest Exclusion and Import Programs Information and Portfolios (May 2023)
- PPQ Program Overview
- PPQ Org Chart
NPB onboarding resources:
- NPB Strategic Plan
- NPB Procedures Manual (January 2021) – located on the Governing Documents page.
- NPB 101 Presentation (June 2023) – located on the SPRO Guidance/NPB 101 page.
- National Plant Board for New SPROs (June 2023)
- NPB Mentoring Program Overview – located on the SPRO Guidance/NPB 101 page.
- NPB Mentoring Program Roles and Responsibilities – located on the SPRO Guidance/NPB 101 page.
Plant response communication protocols:
- Emergency Management Framework (October 2019)
- Decision Workflows in Pest Programs (June 2020) – located on the SPRO Guidance/NPB 101 page.
- Diagnostic Protocol for plant pest submissions (July 2021)
- Plant Pest Identification Notifications to State Departments of Agriculture (February 2019) – located in APHIS Resources for State Regulators.
- Simultaneous Communication Protocol for State Plant Health Directors fand State Plant Regulatory Officials
- Hotwash Protocol (June 2020) – located on the SPRO Guidance/NPB 101 page.