Plant Protection
Plant Protection is responsible for the identification and regulatory control of plant pests, including insects, nematodes, fungi, bacteria and viruses that impact Pennsylvania's natural resources and abundant flora. Licensing of Plant Merchants is housed in this division, along with program support for inspection of nurseries and greenhouses and specialized nursery certification programs such as the Fruit Tree Improvement Program. The backbone of the Plant Protection Division is a multifaceted plant insect and disease diagnostic laboratory that supports regulatory inspection programs and participates in survey and outreach programs for detection of invasive plant pests.