APHIS ENFORCES PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATES OF INSPECTION RULES

APHIS ENFORCES PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATES OF INSPECTION RULES    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said it will begin enforcing its long-time phytosanitary certificate of inspection requirements for nursery stock, plants, roots, bulbs, seeds and other plant products entering the United States.
   The agency admits the rules have not been consistently enforced over the years. “Therefore, we are providing this notification to alert affected importers and members of the public that we intend to enforce this provision on a consistent, uniform basis,” APHIS said.
   APHIS said enforcing these inspection requirements prevents the spread of destructive plant pests. Plants, roots, bulbs and seeds that cannot be treated are prohibited from entering the United States, the agency said.
   Plants and related-product imports are on the rise. According to APHIS records, more than 694 million plants were imported into the country in 1999, compared to 456 million plants in 1993.