Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals

This committee advises the Hawaii Department of Agriculture on policies related to the importation, quarantine, and regulation of plants and animals entering Hawaii, balancing agricultural and biosecurity needs with legitimate commercial and personal interests. It reviews quarantine rules, pest risk assessments, and permit standards for species that could threaten Hawaii's native ecosystems or agriculture. Recommendations inform administrative rulemaking by the department.

Hawaii's strict biosecurity rules — which affect what plants and animals you can bring to or from the islands — are set in part based on this committee's advice. Residents, farmers, and businesses importing plant or animal products are directly affected by the standards it recommends.