White List

**"bbmackey" b*@prodigy.net**

I emailed Joyce Fingerut and asked her for an update on the U. S. government's APHIS White List regulations regarding importation of plants and plant parts. Joyce, former president of the North American Rock Garden Society, has been meeting with APHIS officials to discuss White List revisions. Sounds like the standards are still under review. I will follow the links in the morning. Here is what she said:

-----------------------email from Joyce Fingerut------------------------------------
Hi Betty -

The White List, as a change in the regulations that govern the importation of Plants (and their parts, including seeds), was recommended in the 1999 Safeguarding Report to APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service):

http://www.safeguarding.org/ 

Recommendation E-46 reads: 
Consider adopting a modified "clean list" approach for propagative material, specifying what is permissible subsequent to risk assessment, rather than the current "dirty list" that prohibits or restricts specific articles only. "Clean list" being synonymous with White List, which is the way fruits and vegetables are currently approved for importation, one-by-one, following a Pest Risk Assessment (PRA).

Subsequently, a committee was formed at APHIS-PPQ (Plant Protection and Quarantine) to consider revising the import regulations for Plants for Planting (the regulations known as Q37). One possible objective has been to bring these regs into line with the import rules for importing fruits and vegetables (Q56). 

Much discussion has taken place over the five years that this committee has been addressing the question of Q37 revisions. There has been an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for Nursery Stock Regulation, in which ideas for revisions are suggested (none too clearly). There was also a Public Meeting last May for stakeholders to air their questions and concerns (which I attended). 

All of this information can be found at:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/Q37/revision.html 

which also contains a recent "White Paper," a statement of justification of the need for revisions, as well as proposed future steps. There is mention, on page 6 of the White Paper, of "developing a list of plants that are recognized as low risk, i.e., those that are assessed and enterable with phytosanitary certifications and inspections (AEPI)."

As it happens, I will be meeting on Monday with the APHIS agent who has been leading this project for these last five years. He is also the person who has been instrumental in working for the (imminent) change in regs that will allow horticultural seeds to be imported with a permit, instead of a phytosanitary certificate. You can be sure I will be discussing the question of White Lists with him. When I see you on Wednesday, I can let you know what I have learned.

See you then -
Joyce
-----------------------------

After I see Joyce next Wednesday, I'll pass her information on to this list.

-- Betty Mackey
www.mackeybooks.com 

> I'd also be interested in any updated information about the "White  
> List".  Any leads out there?
> Thanks,
> Mayo
> 
> 
> On Mar 21, 2006, at 8:06 PM, bbmackey wrote:
> 
>> I have to confess that I am not up to date on the status of the USDA's
>> proposed "White List" that came up as an issue a few years ago. It  
>> was to be
>> a limited list of approved species. Seeds of all other plants would be
>> refused entry into the USA.
>>
>> J. L. Hudson, Seedsmen, the North American Rock Garden Society, seed
>> exchanges, and other groups involved with growing unusual plants were
>> opposed to the restrictive measure.
>>
>> Anyone have the latest info?
>>
>> -- Betty
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: <FRIELSTER@aol.com>
>>
>>> Okay, we're getting closer: "With some parties seemingly overeager to
>>> outlaw non-native plants, as a gardener I am concerned."
>>> Who are these parties? I know many native plant growers, advocates  
>>> and
>>> enthusiasts. I know no one -- okay, maybe one guy -- who wants to  
>>> rip out
>>> and
>>> destroy every day lily and Hosta in the US.
>>
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