USDA PROPOSES UPDATED IMPORT RULES FOR NURSERY STOCK

USDA PROPOSES UPDATED IMPORT RULES FOR NURSERY STOCK    The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed updated regulations for importing nursery stock in the United States.
   The proposed update would require additional certifications for imported niger seed and lilac, would reflect recent changes in plant taxonomy and pest distributions, and would make various changes to the requirements for post entry quarantine of imported plants.
   Several amendments were proposed to update and clarify the regulations and improve their effectiveness.
   The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will take comments from the industry through Feb. 25. For more information, contact Wayne D. Burnett, senior import specialist with APHIS’ Plant and Quarantine, at (301) 734-6799.