Which agency requires quarantine fumigation to safeguard against imported pests?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is responsible for safeguarding American agriculture and natural resources against pests and diseases that may be introduced through imports. Quarantine fumigation is a specific preventive measure implemented by this agency to manage and mitigate the risks posed by exotic pests that could potentially harm crops, livestock, or the environment.

USDA-APHIS regulates the importation of goods and monitors agricultural health, ensuring that any products coming from outside the United States comply with established safety protocols. This often involves fumigation of materials or products to eliminate the presence of pests before they enter the domestic market.

In contrast, while the EPA, FDA, and CDC are integral to public health and environmental protection, their primary focuses differ. The EPA manages environmental protection laws, the FDA oversees food safety and pharmaceuticals, and the CDC focuses on public health threats and diseases, but none directly regulate quarantine fumigation for imported pests in the agricultural context as USDA-APHIS does.