The Breakdown

While the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) focus on animals and plants; it's mission is "To protect the health and value of American agriculture and natural resource."The USDA is for human benefit too. The department that is concerned with protection of resources is the APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).

APHIS and its partners protect agricultural and natural resources against these threats:

• Agricultural animal and plant health threats
• Zoonotic diseases
• Invasive species
• Wildlife conflicts and diseases
• Non-compliant biotechnology events
• Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) trade barriers
• Inhumane treatment of animals covered by the AWA and the HPA
• Agricultural bioterrorism

There partners include:

• Federal agencies
• State agencies
• Tribal governments
• Local governments
• Foreign governments
• Congress
• Industry organizations
• Other agricultural interests
• Colleges and universities
• International and domestic non-governmental organizations, including professional and scientific societies
• The U.S. public

Resources the USDA protect include:

• Agricultural animals and plants
• Agricultural production, interstate commerce, and international exports
• Ecosystems and natural resources
• Human health and safety
• Animal welfare