Re: seed import permits

Unfortunately, Janice, this is true.  USDA, in their idiocy, plan on
starting to implement a regulation that has been on the books for
ages, but never enforced, that requires phyto certificates for all
seed imported into the US.  Enforcement slated to start Jan. 22,
2002, unless, by some miracle, common sense prevails.

To read the press release (never reached the public as far as I can
tell) see:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/press/2001/08/phydelay.txt

Appears that APHIS puts announcements of their plans in the Federal
Register...a bit of reading material that I have never read and doubt
many gardeners put high on their list.  Maybe we should start reading
this to see what is being planned to make life more interesting.

My understanding, from reading assorted posts and info. on the web is
that this insanity was pushed hard by the native plant contingent on
the grounds of saving native species and ecosystems from potential
harm from possibly invasive species.  Their philosophy is: if in
doubt, keep it out.  The idea being that any unknown plants would be
assessed by government agencies over a period of time to prove they
aren't invasive....a concept that would be funny if it weren't so
tragic.

Don't get me started on this...I can rant on for quite some time.

But, the fact remains that come January, all US gardeners will be
very restricted in what seed they can obtain legally since suppliers
like you and seed exchanges will be severely curtailed....the cost of
these phytos being prohibitive for a couple packs of seed.

This will also stop or severely inhibit or drive underground seed
collecting in third world countries that do not have phyto issuing
capabilities....

If anybody is interested in being able to grow more than the limited
selections of plants offered from the large US seed houses (Burpee,
Park, Ferry Morse et al), I have saved some posts from other lists
with suggested points and how to's  for writing your legislative
representatives and where to find out who they are, as well as USDA
addresses to copy the letter to...can ask permission of the original
posters to copy to the list or can send privately.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
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----------
> From: Dowdeswell <dowdeswell@delphinium.co.nz>
> 
Hi all 
Its Janice Dowdeswell here, from Dowdeswell's delphiniums. I'm not
trying to spam or advertise here, I have a serious question you may
be able to help me with if you will. I have just had an email from a
potential customer and he says: 
to be sure no 'invasive' plants/seeds get imported, they are (I
believe) going to require import permit stickers (from the US
addressee) come with seed packets. 
Have you heard anything about this? is it true? It would be almost
impossible to continue with our business if its true so I would
really appreciate any light you can shed on this one. 
Kind regards Janice ````````````````````````````` Janice Dowdeswell
Dowdeswell's Delphiniums http://www.delphinium.co.nz 
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