APHIS Restricts Imports of Plants for Planting Known as Hosts for P. ramorum
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a Federal Order to restrict importation of plants for planting known to be hosts of Phytophthora ramorum. Therefore, APHIS is requiring specific countries to have in place an annual pest exclusion program that incorporates monitoring, sampling, testing and a validation process to verify the absence of P. ramorum in a place of production.
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(APHIS notes that, since 2003, it has been working toward limiting the spread of P. ramorum within the U.S. APHIS said it has also been requiring that plants from several European countries and the United Kingdom be accompanied by certification of inspection and testing to be free of P. ramorum; however, the certification does not provide details about the country’s pest exclusion plan, and APHIS has not been requiring certification from other countries about testing or their disease-free status. APHIS said the genotypic diversity and expanding host range of P. ramorum is of increasing concern.)
APHIS Will Approve Countries w/ Comparable Restrictions to U.S., Etc.
APHIS will approve the country to export host material to the U.S. if the program is comparable to APHIS’ restrictions for interstate movement of P. ramorum hosts. The shipments must also be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration about the place of production. Plants for planting of P. ramorum host commodities from other countries will be allowed into the U.S. if accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that P. ramorum is not known to exist within the country.
Email documents@brokerpower.com for a copy of the Federal Order.
APHIS List of Regulated Hosts and Plants Proven or Associated with Phytophthora ramorum (updated January 2012) available here.
APHIS Contact -- William Aley (301) 851-2130, email William.D.Aley@aphis.usda.gov