Dear all: If you import plants into the United States, or send plants to the US, you might want to try to influence policy by joining an online discussion with agents of APHIS, the US agency that regulates plant imports. It is to begin Nov. 27 and you must register. I received details in the letter copied below. Paige Woodward http://www.hillkeep.ca/ paige@hillkeep.ca ====================================== November 14, 2006 United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Health Programs Regulatory Coordination 4700 River Road, Unit 141 Riverdale, MD 20737 Dear Stakeholder: The following docket has been published in the Federal Register: Docket No: APHIS-2006-0078 - Evaluating the Invasive Potential of Imported Plants; Electronic Public Discussion We are advising the public that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is hosting an electronic public discussion on methods that can be used to evaluate the potential of imported plants to become invasive species if they are introduced into the United States. Any interested person can register for the electronic discussion, which will allow participants to upload files and interact with other participants and with APHIS staff. The electronic public discussion will be held from November 27, 2006 to January 26, 2007. For additional information contact: Ms. Polly Lehtonen, Senior Staff Officer, Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-8758. Sincerely, /s/ Linda C. Toran Management Analyst Regulatory Coordination, Plant Health Programs ========================= Ms Lehtonen's email address is not provided; I found one on the APHIS website but cannot guarantee that it is current: Polly.P.Lehtonen@usda.gov . PW