APHIS to Begin Certification Program for Foreign Greenhouses; Fewer Inspections as Benefit
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recently announced that it is establishing an Offshore Greenhouse Certification Program for greenhouse facilities located outside the U.S. “Facilities that are accepted into the program will agree to produce generally admissible unrooted plant…
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cuttings under a systems approach to reduce pest and disease risks,” APHIS said. “In turn, shipments produced and exported under this program may receive fewer or less frequent inspections at U.S. plant inspection stations, helping to expedite clearance and entry.” Foreign greenhouses must meet minimum standards for participation related to greenhouse construction, security, production and sanitation, pest management, training and recordkeeping. “APHIS officials will physically visit and certify each facility -- at the facility’s expense -- before it may participate in the program,” the agency said. APHIS will schedule onsite visits starting in November 2020, it said. Greenhouse facilities interested in participating in the 2020-21 season should contact Karelyn Cruz at APHIS at karelyn.cruz@usda.gov by Aug. 31.