[§150A-53]  General actions to achieveobjectives.  To achieve the objectives of the biosecurity program, thedepartment shall plan for and, within available legislative appropriations,implement the following:

(1)  Work with government agencies and agriculturalcommodity exporters of other states and countries to establish pre-entryinspection programs under which inbound cargo into the State is inspected atthe ports of departure or other points outside the State;

(2)  Establish, operate, or participate in operatingport-of-entry facilities where multiple government agencies may inspect,quarantine, fumigate, disinfect, destroy, or exclude as appropriate, articles thatmay harbor pests or exclude articles that are prohibited or restricted withouta permit, with the goals of:

(A)  Performing inspections in an efficient,effective, and expeditious manner for the government agencies involved and forcargo owners, carriers, and importers; and

(B)  Providing for the proper and safe storageand handling of cargo, especially agricultural and food commodities, awaitinginspection;

(3)  Develop, implement, and coordinate post-entrymeasures to eradicate, control, reduce, and suppress pests and, as appropriate,eradicate or seize and dispose of prohibited or restricted organisms without apermit that have entered the State;

(4)  Collaborate with relevant government agencies,agricultural commodity importers, and other persons to examine and developjoint integrated systems to better implement the biosecurity program;

(5)  Improve cargo inspection capabilities andmethods, including enhancement of the content and submission requirements forcargo manifests and agricultural commodity ownership and movement certificates;

(6)  Promote the production of agricultural commoditiesin the State to reduce cargo shipments of imported commodities into the State;and

(7)  Provide public education on the negative effectsof pests and prohibited or restricted organisms without a permit, to theenvironment and economy of the State. [L 2008, c 236, pt of §2]