Re: APHIS proposed changes to nursery stock regulations

Well, Al, there isn't really any one organization representing the
entire hort. industry.  ANLA has been working with APHIS but they
basically represent the larger nurseries and growers in the industry.
 There's no central voice for the smaller ones who don't tend to
belong to associations, nor for individual gardeners and plant
lovers. 

Some of the garden societies, I know for certain that NARGS is one,
have been working with APHIS on this issue, but more specifically on
the issue of the importation of small lots of seed for their plant
exchanges.  If anyone belongs to a garden society that is not aware
of this proposed change, please inform the directors of the society
and request that they become involved.

 Barry Yinger, owner of Asiatica Nursery, who has been responsible
for the introduction of numerous 'new' plants to our gardens, posted
to Trillium list today, in response to the message I cross posted; a
most informative post, I thought, which he has given me permission to
quote - so I shall.

= = = = =
Barry said: 

"In my "real job" for a mega-nursery (the one that pays the bills) I 
have been involved with this issue for quite a while.  As a 31 year 
veteran of plant collecting and introduction from Asia, and owner of
a 
nursery selling rare new plants, I will, on a personal level, have to

deal with the outcome."

"Change is coming and there is no stopping it.  I harbor no love for 
government regulation or the regulators, but it needs to be 
acknowledged that in this case there really are some officials
involved 
who care about the impact of the revised regulations.  Nevertheless, 
new regulations will transform plant introduction/importation, and
most 
of us will not like it much."

"ANLA, American Nurserymen and Landscape Assoc., has been
coordinating 
the nursery industry's response.  Craig Regelbruger has done a lot of

wonderful work, but as Marge suggests, almost all the lobbying will
be 
directed at making the regulations acceptable to the nursery industry

which often has a different point of view from small growers and 
hobbyists.  Tony Avent at Plant Delights is the only small nursery 
owner I know (besides me) who has been active in making suggestions 
about the new regulations."

"I believe that new regulations will not stop new plant introduction,

but it will become feasible only for large nurseries with
considerable 
financial resources.  Even now, with stricter phytosanitary 
requirements already in place, it is very, very difficult for 
individuals to introduce plants alive from many countries."

"If you care about this issue, please contact your representative or 
senator.  Please point out:"

"The ornamental horticulture industry is the number one, two, or
three 
most important agricultural industry in many states (you can get the 
info for your state from your state agriculture department.)"

"It is still largely a collection of small to medium size family
owned 
businesses that, unlike most agricultural enterprises, do not receive

farm welfare.  It is one of the few kinds of agriculture still 
accessible to young people who do not have a thousand acres and a 
million dollars to get started."

"New plants are the lifeblood of the nursery industry.  They drive
sales 
and profits.  Nurseries these days don't just compete with other 
nurseries to sell plants.  They compete with other lifestyle 
industries.  If customers cannot find new and exciting plants for
sale, 
many will not choose another plant, they will choose another leisure 
activity."

"While I am on my soapbox, I think everyone should take a closer look
at 
the history of how invasive plants have become established in this 
country.  Here in Pennsylvania, as in most places, the most serious 
invasives are not escapees from home gardens.  They were promoted and

planted by the millions by state and federal conservation agencies
for 
erosion control and game cover (Amur honeysuckle, multiflora rose, 
oriental bittersweet, barberry, Japanese honeysuckle).  Of all the 
invasive plants in my home area (I was born and raised here) only one

is clearly an escape from home gardens: Norway maple.  When you think

of how many thousands of exotic plants are imported and grown, the 
number of invasives is very small.  That doesn't mean that we should 
not care, but it does mean that we should pay attention and take
action 
when we see a problem emerging.  The notorious Polygonum perfoliatum 
(mile a minute) was accidentally introduced at the Dauber Nursery in 
York, PA in the 1920s.  It took about seventy years to travel the 12 
miles to my farm, and then it exploded throughout the Northeast.  It 
should be called "mile a decade".  For at least 50 years, this plant 
could have been eliminated by a troop of brownie scouts with hand 
trowels, but no one cared until it was too late. If we combine a 
sensible approach to introduction with an early warning system for 
control, everyone will be happy."
= = = = = = =

Big agriculture has the advantage; there's no question about it, but
if the smaller nurseries can be reached and can find the time to add
their comments on this issue, they will help to close the gap.  
Garden societies need to get a move on and comment; gardeners need to
let their voices be heard.  

If everyone assumes they can make no difference, they will not.  If
everyone waits for someone else to make that difference, it will not
get made.   If we speak up, we have a chance of influencing the
outcome.  Chance is all we ever get in this life; we need to take
advantage of those that come our way.

If anyone can find the time to read the proposal and has suggestions
to make or answers to some of the specific questions, please make the
time to comment.  At least request an extension of time for the
comment period so that others may also find time to read and
understand the issues and come up with suggestions for solutions to
APHIS's dilemma that may be workable for all concerned.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
Shadyside Garden Designs
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----------
> From: Al R. Krismer <alkrismer@fuse.net>
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I find it rather odd that organizations representing  the entire 
> horticulture industry have been mute on this subject. These groups 
> supposedly have lobbyists, etc to look after the interests of its 
> members, many of which are smaller to mid size  growers.
Unfortunately 
> many smaller growers have been put out of business in the last
decade.
> 
> Has any one heard SAF's position or any of the big  organizations
such 
> as OFA?
> 
> Basically  big agriculture will win out in the long run and the
smaller 
> business people will be put at a disadvantage. Only larger firms
will 
> have the means to cut the red tape and secure newer plant material
from 
> abroad.
> 
> 
> This topic came up in December 2001 . Out of curiosity I sent for 
> material from Faith Campbell. She had a list of 400 invasive
plants, but 
> most of them I never even heard of. She made little sense in her 
> arguments--- you know the old adage --an empty glass make the most
noise.
> 
> 
> Al Krismer
> Cincinnati Ohio

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