A Plant Importer's story

William Aley aley_wd@me.com
Sun, 24 Feb 2013 18:10:02 PST
Alas for every person who wants to do things correctly there are those that use less than restrictions to take advantage. Many people feel the government regulatory enforcement as an infringement upon their right to have plants. Conversely there are groups and individuals who have a concern that people may actually import invasive plants or weed plants. 
I wish there was a compromise. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 23, 2013, at 10:36 PM, clayton3120 clayton3120 <clayton3120@cablespeed.com> wrote:

> Hello,
> For what it's worth, when I would go to England on plant buying
> procurements, I always had the English Inspector canvass the plants I
> purchased, after meticulously washing the soil from rootballs, packing in
> vermiculite, and labeling.   I paid the fee requested.   With objection
> from the English Inspector  , he already  knew  when the plants reached
> American soil, his work would be ignored, as though his inspection would be
> worthless. It was.    When I reached Seatac Airport, I declared the plants
> and they dissappeared for 4-5 days for further inspection .   No problem.
> Aphis had their own criterion, and importers must adhere. I did, knowing
> all the while that every  day the plants were in USDA hands, the more
> likely they wouldn't survive the torture they had undergone  in preparation
> to be admitted to their new environment. Luckily, I knew how to handle the
> plants under such stress, and I would lose only  around 20% of what I
> imported. Special permits for ,,, say,,, Dianthus and Chrysanthemums
> required on site inspections , to which I gladly complied.
> After further importations, I no longer requested English inspections, as
> we all knew , it was worthless .
> What a terrible shame countries don't co-operate, as the English inspector
> told me they were extremely concerned about the various problems  that
> could occur  from moving plants from country to country.  At least, for
> developed countries, they could agree on  what the issues /problems could
> be , and help each other accordingly, as well as TRUST each other's
> qualifications. Part of it is just a matter of communicating to each other.
> I stopped importing.  It  became too expensive,disheartening, and
> discouraging.   When one reviews a foreign plant/seed list , knowing the
> nursery will not  ship to our continent, you have to accept the
> limitations, and,,, pretty much sulk  at being a gardener/ plant enthusiast
> on the wrong continent.  You read , and see whats available elsewhere
> versus what we have here and it's pretty sad.    In the 21st century,
> you'd think such limitations would've been overcome, but that is naive. I
> can't imagine their is any plant/ bulb enthusiast here who hasn't  balked
> at a list/ catalogue, knowing full well what you see read can only be a
> dream.
> I can't help wondering if some type of Plant Importing certification to
> qualified individuals who have undergone  USDA scrutiny   would make sense
> of the issue.  You know, sort of like acquiring a pesticide applicators
> license.   A course, and certification leading to eased restrictions to
> those qualified.
> Preventing diseases  and pests  are extremely important.... but, their's
> GOT to be a way.
> Rick K
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