According to Science Daily, the United States imports goods worth more than $500 billion dollars each year. We import everything from food, to animals, to cars. When we import things like food, like vegetables, fruits or meat, it comes from thousands of miles away. Non-native plants and animals commonly find a way to make its way onto U.S. soil and become a problem. These may come as an accident, possibly hidden on the boat that it came in on, or mixed in with a pile of food. Sometimes animals are taken from foreign lands, and let free into the wild here, becoming invasive the species around it. When a non-native species of plant or animal are introduced in the environment, it can possibly take over and dominate the native species or bring in disease that native species aren't used to. One group ventured to say that 70% of the invasive species in the US came from imported plants. Many of the plants travel all around the country, mainly to California and Florida where they may grow and thrive.
The authors go on to say that more strict standards need to be set at inspection stations to decrease the chance of bringing in more invasive species. Importing specifically harmful plants should be banned or held more in check. Plants or animals that bring disease into the country could hurt the native species and in turn could be hurting the people.
Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120409133928.htm
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