inspections at US airports
Diane Whitehead (Tue, 20 Feb 2007 11:31:28 PST)

Getting plants inspected in the U.S. is more difficult now than it
used to be, in Oregon at any rate. There used to be state inspectors
throughout the state, but in the 90s the regional offices were closed
and anyone needing an inspection needed to drive to Salem. Since that
involved a couple of hours driving, I began to get plants inspected
at the Portland airport. All they asked was that I come in the
afternoon when they had an extra person in the office.

The last time I had plants inspected at the Portland Oregon airport,
I met an entirely new set of people who were surprised at my request
for inspection. There were six inspectors, all working on seeds, and
they did not do plants. They agreed to do it, but told us to go away
and eat lunch and they would phone our cellphone when they were
finished. It is lucky we were not planning to catch a plane.

I was told to get plants inspected at the State Agriculture
Department next time - in other words, drive down to Salem.

I haven't bought plants in Oregon since.

Diane Whitehead
Victoria, B.C., Canada