About Professional Property Solutions
Our Experience
Invasive animal and plant species, as well as animal and plant pathogens, impacts the national economy as well as potentially affecting Partner Nation (PN) economies. Over the past 200 years, several thousand foreign plant and animal species have become established in the US. Approximately one in seven has become invasive, leading to cost problems in the US costing more than $137 billion each year. An invasive species is a non-native species, that, when introduced, causes or is likely to cause economic or ecological harm or harm to human health, agriculture and native ecosystems. Invasive species often reduce both economic productivity as well as the ecological integrity of US agricultural and natural resources thereby having significant impact on the food supply as well as the ability to continue global export of agricultural goods or global military operations. Conservation experts have found that in the US, invasive alien plant infestations cover 100 million acres and spread at a rate of 14% per year, an area twice the size of Delaware. Invasive species impact military operations through land use restrictions, infrastructure damage, decline of ecologically essential native populations, causing or exacerbating the vulnerability of threatened and endangered species, and degrading essential ecosystem services and biodiversity. Beyond invasive species, pathogens and pests have negative economic consequences to consider as well the potential to negatively impact international partner relationships. 5 Importing invasive species into the US is just as important as exporting invasive species into host and allied countries. Plant pests and pathogens, including molds, weeds, bacteria, and insects, could decimate crops, orchards, or lumber outputs to upset supply chains, create shortages, and drive up prices for goods. The inadvertent import of insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks, which can harbor infectious vector-borne diseases, or pathogens, may cause disease in animals or humans. Animal pathogens and pests have the potential to rapidly spread through animal agriculture populations; a disease outbreak can result in the immediate cessation of animal goods export, disruptions in domestic food chains with subsequent commodity shortages, the fracturing of consumer trust and restricting military mobility. Additionally, various plant and animal pathogens and pests that can be found in trace amounts of soil and organic debris, may persist in the environment and remain infectious for months to years, Introduction of an invasive species or plant and animal pathogens or pests from the US into a PN would have serious implications to both freedom of movement within theater and the DoD’s relationships with international partners. Beyond damaging relationships with PNs, the DoD could incur economic reparations for damages, containment, and correction. Therefore, due diligence, preparation, and enforcement of high standard cleaning protocols are the best mitigation for these threats. Failure to comply with agricultural entry or export requirements have and will continue to result in significant mission and transportation delays and associated clean-up and pest treatment expenses totaling tens of thousands to millions of dollars. Bottom line is that Units, Garrison, Transportation and Port Commanders are responsible for mitigating agriculture pathways to and through the US and Host Nations. Commanders (CDRs) are responsible for ensuring that the requirements specified herein and DTR 4500.9-R Part V, Chapters 505 and 506 and this document are followed to prevent agricultural pests and pathogens, including soil that may contain them, from entering, transiting, or leaving the US from units that are returning / deploying personnel and/or equipment to or from the US. CDRs are also responsible for ensuring the Host Nation (HN) requirements are met when moving equipment or cargo across national borders. Delays and mitigation costs for cargo and vehicles returned unclean can, and have been in the millions of dollars. CDRs will not allow the movement of vehicles, equipment, cargo or cargo containers from their operating location unless they are free of soil, pest infestation, and prohibited agricultural items. In summary, invasive species along with animal and plant pathogens reduce and restrict freedom of movement, impact exercises and operations, and are costly to control, contain, or mitigate.
Our Services
The purpose of Technical Guide 31 (TG 31) is to safeguard the national agricultural economy, natural resources, and ecosystems from risks associated with the entry or export, establishment, or spread of pathogens and pests of humans, animals or plants being potentially conveyed on transported military materiel and to provide guidance to ensure Department of Defense (DoD) personnel, gear, and equipment will clear customs and border protection cleanliness inspection requirements. Likewise, the purpose of TG 31 is ultimately to minimize preventable mission transportation delays and expensive mitigation expenses associated with contaminated equipment failing inspections upon arrival back to the United States or abroad.
Our Philosophy
All methods of sanitation and preparation IAW Technical Guide (TG) which describes procedures, outlines responsibilities, and defines requirements for preparing military conveyances (vehicles, vessels, aircraft), rolling stock, equipment, cargo and unit and personal gear to comply with agricultural and public health pest exclusion requirements for movement of ships, aircraft, equipment, and personnel, particularly from locations outside the United States (US). Note that TGs are not policy documents; they provide best management practices and technical guidance for the US Department of Defense (DoD) operations, pest management, natural resources and other DoD communities. Accordingly, TGs should not be construed or referenced as policy.