Texas

State Plant Regulatory Official

Serves on the National Plant Board, oversees state pest detection and regulatory activities and coordinates survey activities between government agencies, public and private organizations. Coordinates the state’s initial emergency response if an exotic pest is detected.

State Survey Coordinator

Heena Mir, 512-475-0705

Coordinates CAPS survey planning, execution and reporting as well as community outreach activities.

State Plant Health Director

Stuart Kuehn, (512) 916-5241

Directs federal APHIS-PPQ pest detection and regulatory activities in cooperation with state officials, and coordinate the initial PPQ emergency response if an exotic pest is detected in the state.

Pest Survey Specialist

Jaylene Reyes, (939)281-4478

Provides technical support in planning, executing and reporting annual surveys and coordinates pest detection activities with neighboring states.

5/2021 - USDA APHIS | Using Data to Tackle the Dangerous Mail Pest Pathway
9/2020 - Anastrepha ludens Mexican Fruit Fly APHIS Removes the Quarantine Area in Harlingen Cameron County Texas
9/2020 - APHIS Removes the Mexican Fruit Fly (Anastrepha ludens) Quarantine Area in Laredo, Webb County, and Zapata, Zapata County, Texas
8/2020 - USDA Provides List of Locations by State Where Public Can Mail Unsolicited Seed Packages
8/2020 - USDA Seeks Help from Citizens to Collect Unsolicited Seeds Packages
8/2020 - Anastrepha ludens Mexican Fruit Fly APHIS Removes the Quarantine Area in Lasara Willacy County Texas
8/2020 - Xanthomonas spp Citrus Canker APHIS adds portions of Cameron County in Texas to the Domestic Quarantine Area
8/2020 - Crystal Lake and Watershed Association to go ahead with watermilfoil treatment
8/2020 - Officials worry mystery seeds from China could be harmful to Indiana crops
7/2020 - Unsolicited seeds could wreak havoc on agriculture, environment, state officials warn