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CBP Detects Noxious Weeds In Rail Container That Could Have Threatened Texas Cattle
(Friday, June 01, 2007)
contacts for this news releaseEagle Pass, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at the Eagle Pass port of entry recently detected in a rail container various seeds of itchgrass, a federal noxious weed that can cause starvation in cattle if allowed to enter and establish itself in the U.S.CBP agriculture specialists conducting routine examinations of rail cars entering the U.S. from Piedras Negras, Mexico on May 23 noticed some vegetation within a rail container. Upon closer examination, CBP agriculture specialists discovered that the grasses and plants found in the rail car appeared to be itchgrass, a federal noxious weed. Noxious weeds are defined by federal regulation as plants or plant products that can directly or indirectly injure or cause damage to crops, livestock, agricultural interests, natural resources of the U.S., public health or environment. CBP agriculture specialists detained the rail shipment pending positive identification of the plants.Today, a U.S. Department of Agriculture botanist in Laredo positively identified plant material retrieved from the rail car as Rottboellia cochinchinensis, commonly known as itchgrass. Itchgrass is an aggressive weed native to tropical Asia and Africa that displaces other grasses and has needle-like hairs on its leaf sheaths that break off in the skin and can cause painful infections. Cattle or other livestock who eat itchgrass will get cracked lips and to avoid the pain they simply stop eating.CBP agriculture specialists detained the railcar until it could be cleaned. They supervised the cleaning to ensure that no federal noxious weeds remained before it was allowed to proceed northbound. “This detection of itchgrass by CBP agriculture specialists in a railcar underscores the importance of agricultural portion of the CBP mission,” said John Salazar, CBP Port Director, Eagle Pass. “Given the prominence of the cattle industry in the South Texas area, if these noxious weeds entered the U.S. commerce, they would pose a significant threat to American farmers, livestock and would displace native plant species.”U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws. | Contacts For This News Release
| Richard Pauza
CBP Public Affairs
| | | | CBP Headquarters
Office of Public Affairs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229
| Phone: | (202) 344-1780 or (800) 826-1471 | Fax: | (202) 344-1393 |
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