Re: Possible relaxation in U.S. phyto. policy for seeds

> That is great news, Jim.  I hadn't seen a post from Joyce on this
on
> Alpine-L - which is where I usually see the news on this issue from
> her.  I knew USDA were working on something to save face and solve
> the massive problem they created...looks like they might have done
> it!  More time, effort and paperwork for all, but at least
feasible.
> 
> Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
> mtalt@hort.net
> Editor:  Gardening in Shade
> -----------------------------------------------
> Current Article: Wild, Wonderful Aroids Part 4 - Arisaema
> http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/shade_gardening
> ------------------------------------------------
> Complete Index of Articles by Category and Date
> http://mtalt.hort.net/article-index.html
> ------------------------------------------------
> All Suite101.com garden topics :
> http://www.suite101.com/topics.cfm/635
> 
> ----------
> > From: James R. Fisher <garrideb@well.com>
> > 
> >     There has been chat on various lists about the possible
> > relaxation of current USDA/APHIS policy on seed importation
> > requiring phyto sanitary certificate at point of origin.
> > Here is one such info message emanating from Joyce Fingerhut
> > of the NATGS:
> > 
> > 
> > Yes, changes are afoot.
> > 
> > Dr. Arnold Tschanz, of the office of Regulatory Coordination had
> been given
> > the task of dealing with our complaints regarding the phyto
> requirement on
> > imported seed.  We have been in contact about this issue since
> November of
> > 2001.  Last word was that the regulation will be changed to allow
> seed to
> > enter the US under a permitting system, without requiring a
> phytosanitary
> > certificate from the country of origin.  It is possible that
limits
> will be
> > placed on the amount of seed (by weight or by number) that can be
> imported
> > (per order, perhaps?) in this way.
> > 
> > I do not have the details about how the permitting system will
work
> but,
> > roughly, the importer (including us plant geeks) will apply for a
> permit
> > from the USDA (can be done online) before sending the order (or
> seedex
> > request) outside the country (overseas or Canada).  We
(importers)
> will
> > receive a permit and a green label, which both must be sent to
the
> overseas
> > seed house or seedex (say, f'rinstance, Halda or AGS).  The
> exporter will
> > include the permit with the return order and affix the green
label
> to the
> > outside of the envelope.  Based on these green labels, the
contents
> will be
> > randomly (and probably only occasionally, is my feeling)
inspected.
> > 
> > This permitting system, however it finally works, will place the
> burden on
> > the US buyer rather than the exporter and  remove any extra costs
> to either
> > the buyer or seller (permits are free).
> > 
> > The new regulation is currently in the hands of the
> regulation-writer.  When
> > it goes up in the Federal Register, as an Advance Notice of
Public
> > Rule-Making (ANPR), we will be notified so that we can send
> comments during
> > a two-month period.  These comments will then be incorporated
into
> a revised
> > (if necessary) regulation, which will again be open for two
months
> of public
> > comment.  Any further changes will be made and the final
regulation
> will be
> > made public and enforced.
> > 
> > So, we will have two shots at molding the new reg to our seed
> needs, all the
> > while keeping in mind that the APHIS regulations are in place for
> the
> > protection of the country's very vulnerable agriculture and
nursery
> > industries.  Think of sudden oak death and the Asian longhorn
> beetle.
> > 
> > I hope we will all stay in touch, so that the word can go out as
> soon as the
> > new reg is up for comment.
> > 
> > Joyce
> > -- 
> >
>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> > -jrf
> > -- 
> > Jim Fisher
> > Vienna, Virginia USA
> > 38.9 N 77.2 W
> > USDA Zone 7
> > Max. 105 F [40 C], Min. 5 F [-15 C]
> > 
> >
>
---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
> > message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE GARDENCHAT
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index