Fwd: Establishing taxa as "present"
Tony Avent (Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:38:12 PDT)

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: