I just got this notice. Is this proposed new category and rules something we should be worried about? It kind of sounds like a good effort to control the entry of potential new weeds or pests. On the other hand, would it make it inordinately difficult to import something that we all know is perfectly safe? --Lee Poulsen Pasadena, California, USDA Zone 10a -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Importation of Plants for Planting; Establishing a Category of Plants for Planting Not Authorized for Importation Pending Pest Risk Analysis - Proposed rule Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:31:24 -0400 From: PPQ_Stakeholder_Registry@aphis.usda.gov To: wpoulsen@pacbell.net Greetings PPQ Stakeholders, You are receiving this email alert because you signed up with USDA-APHIS-PPQ's Stakeholders' Registry to receive information related to the importation of plants. If you would like to have your name removed from the Stakeholders Registry list please send an email to Linda.Toran@aphis.usda.gov. If you would like to make a change in your topics of interest please go to: https://web01.aphis.usda.gov/PPQStakeWeb2.nsf. We are proposing to establish a new category of regulated articles in the regulations governing the importation of nursery stock, also known as plants for planting. This category would list taxa of plants for planting whose importation is not authorized pending pest risk analysis. If scientific evidence indicated that the taxon of plants for planting is a potential quarantine pest or a potential host of a quarantine pest, we would publish a notice that would announce our determination that the taxon is a potential quarantine pest or a potential host of a quarantine pest, cite the scientific evidence we considered in making this determination, and give the public an opportunity to comment on our determination. If we received no comments that changed our determination, the taxon would subsequently be added to the new category. APHIS will consider all comments received on this Docket No. APHIS-2006-0011 on or before October 21, 2009. For additional information go to: http://regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/… .