USDA considers cacti imports from Denmark, Netherlands

USDA considers cacti imports from Denmark, Netherlands    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proposes to amend its plant import regulations to include Christmas and Easter cacti from Denmark and Netherlands that are grown in certain approved media.
   The agency said it’s taking the action at the request of the Danish and Dutch governments. The agency will take comments on the proposed rulemaking through June 27.
   According to the USDA, the United States is a net importer of live trees and plants, with imports of these product valued at $843.8 million in 2003. The Netherlands accounted for $147.1 million (17 percent) of U.S. imports of these commodities in 2003, while imports of live plants and trees from Denmark totaled $9.1 million that same year.