Jim: I agree that the proposed screening mechanism is a close to a disaster as one could envision for American horticulture. With such a system in place, we would not be growing the likes of lantana, impatiens, celosia, miscanthus, sweet potatoes, tall fescue, etc. today. We had visits this year from a number of Australian nurseries and their horror stories of dealing with their regulations are truly frightening. Another problem with such a screening system is that this will drive importing of plant further "underground." US inspectors are woefully untrained and couldn't distinguish one plant from another in the first place, which makes enforcement of this new regulation impossible. If you thought wiretapping of calls to terrorists was bad, wait until they show up at your home wanting a list of plants that you grow...1984 all over again. Call your congressman today and let them know your concerns. Tony Avent Plant Delights Nursery @ Juniper Level Botanic Garden 9241 Sauls Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 USA Minimum Winter Temps 0-5 F Maximum Summer Temps 95-105F USDA Hardiness Zone 7b email tony@plantdelights.com website http://www.plantdelights.com/ phone 919 772-4794 fax 919 772-4752 "I consider every plant hardy until I have killed it myself...at least three times" - Avent James Waddick wrote: > Another problem with 'Present' is that by this logic, all the > others are 'Absent' and you effectively have a white list (GOOD) and > a black list (EVIL). Try taking any plant from the 'dark side' into > the light. > I think the Australia example is a good example of a bad system. > > And it also suggest that every species and subspecies will be > designated good or bad regardless of genetic affinity or the rest of > the genus/family. > > Oh dear. Jim W. >