Two-Spot Cotton Leafhopper – Compliance Agreement
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After the 2025 National Plant Board Safeguarding Meeting in Annapolis, Maryland, the National Plant Board established the Alternative Regulation Committee (ARC). The ARC is charged with reviewing existing federal, domestic plant pest programs and quarantines and making recommendations to the National Plant Board (NPB) on unified regulatory approaches, when the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) announce their intention to end regulatory efforts for those federal programs. Additionally, the ARC may also meet to decide if the NPB will establish a unified regulatory program if new plant pests of a regional or national concern will not be regulated by USDA APHIS PPQ.
From February to June of 2026, the ARC met to review and respond to its first assignment: two-spot cotton leafhopper. During the assignment, the committee involved USDA APHIS PPQ, industry, and all U.S. states and territories, conducted research into pathways and risk, and developed a compliance agreement strategy. This strategy was reviewed by NPB membership, USDA, and the industry who supported a unified approach to ensure states follow one compliance agreement strategy. On June 11, 2026, the National Plant Board’s Board of Directors approved the final version of a Compliance Agreement for the two-spot cotton leafhopper, which is available for download below. |
At the 100th Annual Meeting of the National Plant Board, USDA-APHIS-PPQ communicated that they did not intend to federally regulate the TSCL, so it will be up to states to decide whether they will regulate the plant pest on their own.
The compliance agreement will assist states and industry to mitigate the impacts of TSCL and limit its spread throughout the United States, via the interstate shipment of plants. Additional frequently asked questions are below as well.
The compliance agreement will assist states and industry to mitigate the impacts of TSCL and limit its spread throughout the United States, via the interstate shipment of plants. Additional frequently asked questions are below as well.
Frequently Asked Questions (COMING SOON)