IPM in the South

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is considering removing import restrictions on chrysanthemum plants for planting. Chrysanthemums are currently regulated for Puccinia horaria, also known as chrysanthemum white rust (CWR).

To better understand which pests might enter the continental United States if we remove import restrictions on CWR hosts, APHIS has prepared a commodity pest list available for comment titled: Importations of Chrysanthemum Cuttings and In vitro Plantlets for Propagation from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Vietnam into the Continental United States. The list contains 44 U.S. quarantine pests found in 20 countries identified as potential sources of cuttings and in vitro plantlets of Chrysanthemum spp. and synonymous genera.

APHIS is extending the comment period until June 19, 2017. This 30 day extension will give stakeholders and the public additional time to submit comments on the pest list.

If you would like to review the list or provide comments, visit the APHIS Web site http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-health/risk-assessment-consultation.

Filed under: news | Tagged: APHIS, chrysanthemum, chrysanthemum white rust, comment period, import restrictions, Puccinia horaria |