USDA eases rules for Chinese dwarfed plant imports

USDA eases rules for Chinese dwarfed plant imports    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has amended its regulations for imports of certain Chinese dwarfed plants grown in an approved growing medium.
   The dwarfed plants covered in the rulemaking are the species Buxus sinica, Ehretia microphylla, Podocarpus macrophyllus, Sageretia thea, and Serissa foetida from China.
   The Chinese government proposed the use of a certified growing medium for dwarfed plants. The country has experienced an increase in exports of these products to the United States in recent years.
   The USDA is concerned about the spread of pests and noxious weeds through unregulated dwarf plant soil.