USDA considers overhaul of nursery plant import rules

USDA considers overhaul of nursery plant import rules The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has asked the industry for help on how to improve its regulations for the import of nursery plants.
   Under current regulations, all plants imported by nurseries are allowed to enter the United States if they are accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, and if they are inspected and found free of pests, unless they are specifically prohibited or further restricted by regulations.
   The agency said it’s considering several regulatory changes:
   * Establishing a category in the regulations for nursery plants that would be excluded from importation pending risk evaluation and approval.
   * Developing ongoing programs to reduce the risk of entry and establishment of quarantine pests via imported nursery stock.
   * Reevaluating the risks posed by importation of nursery stock that’s currently prohibited.
   The agency also said its considering how to improve data collection on current imports of nursery plants so it can more accurately determine the volume, type, and origin of these plants entering the United States.
   The agency will take comments from the industry through March 10. For more information, contact Arnold T. Tschanz, a senior staff officer at APHIS, by telephone at (301) 734-5306.