Unsuspecting travelers bring in plants,
animals, animal products, food and
other agricultural items that
can contain harmful pests and diseases.
When you travel...Don’t pack a pest
Declare agricultural items
HELP PROTECT OUR FOOD SUPPLY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
www.dontpackapest.com
Travelers Don’t Pack a Pest Outreach Program Program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), U.S. Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the California Department of Food and Agriculture, as well as state, federal and foreign governments and organizations. Program goal is to educate travelers about the risks associated with bringing undeclared agricultural items into the U.S. and neighboring Caribbean countries.
FDACS was awarded a USDA-grant in 2010 to develop a video and signage for display at major ports of entry. Grant has been renewed for four years. Program success can be attributed to effectiveness of video and signage, including the use of Linus, a CBP agriculture detector dog that serves as the program “spokesperson.” He is engaging and the message delivered is concise . . . When You Travel, Declare Agriculture Items, Don’t Pack a Pest. Research has determined the message is well received by the public. In 2015, another character was developed for use on signage in countries that relate less to the detector dog image. The new image for alternative sign options is an illustrated suitcase character.
Program video is playing in the 20 busiest airports in the U.S. where 85% of international travelers are processed. Over 680 signs are installed in 50 Florida and Caribbean ports of entry. The Don’t Pack a Pest website assists travelers in determining if certain agricultural items are allowed entry into the U.S. and certain Caribbean countries.
Products Completed 2010 – 2011 • Video/signage created, posted on YouTube and Florida TV outlets• Extensive use of social media – Twitter, Facebook, blogs• Miami International Airport (MIA) partnership launched - - 25 signs
Products Completed 2011 – 2012• Video displayed at 20 busiest U.S. international airports • MIA passenger awareness survey completed• Video/signage displayed at Orlando Int’l Airport - 7 signs• Signage displayed at Port of Miami - 10 signs• Collaborating w/GCSI and CPHD• Jamaica partnership launched - 66 signs
Products Completed in 2012-2013• Dominican Republic partnership initiated• MIA, FLL, PEV - extensive signage installed - 66 signs• Puerto Rico and USVI partnerships initiated
Products Completed in 2013-2014• Website redesign - launched 7/3 • MIA Passenger Survey repeated• Puerto Rico/USVI partnerships launched - 163 signs• Dominican Republic partnership launched - 46 signs• Cayman Islands partnership launched - 30 signs
www.dontpackapest.com 1-888-397-1517
Products Completed in 2014-2015• Port Canaveral/Sanford Airport signs installed - 135signs • Puerto Rico additional signage ordered - 48 signs• Panama and Turks and Caicos partnerships initiated• Jamaica - conducted program audit and assisted with passenger survey• Miami International Airport audit conducted/additional signs requested• Turks and Caicos Partnership Launched - 41 signs
Products in Progress or Completed in 2016• TIA, MCO, PEV, FLL, Jamaica - proposals submitted for additional signage• Meeting with Florida-Caribbean Cruise Organization• Initiating web survey of Caribbean countries (Jamaica and DR)
