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From: Barry Yinger <asiatica at NNI.COM>
Subject: importing seeds and plants
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The decision by the USDA to enforce long-standing requirements that
all plants and propagules, including seeds, require a phytosanitary
certificate and government inspection for importation is only the
first step in making the importation process more difficult. The
driving forces for this tougher approach are lobbying by groups
concerned about the introduction of invasive species, and of course,
9-11, the generic reason for all government actions that are certain
to annoy American citizens while having little or no effect on the
ability of psychos to commit mass murder.

The various strategies described in this on-line discussion have in
common that they are illegal, and that they succeed simply because
there is no efficient process in place for checking all or even very
many packages that come into the US. The USDA is very aware of the
various strategies used to "fly under the radar", or as they would
describe it, smuggle plants. (By the way, they do monitor discussions
such as the one we are having now).

Recently the penalties for plant smuggling were increased, and no
longer amount to a slap on the wrist. In the past, the worst that
could happen was that the plants or seeds would be destroyed. There
are now very substantial fines in place, and provision for prison
time. USDA says that they are eager to make examples of those who
break the law to try to reduce the flood of plants that come in
without inspection.

As for CITES plants, there have already been some draconian
enforcement actions. A man in Florida was imprisoned for bringing in
an orchid from South America without a permit, and the Marie Shelby
Botanical Garden, who received the plant from him, paid a $5000 fine,
One of the garden's employees faces criminal charges.

Plant inspection "services" have been moved from USDA to the
Department of Homeland Security. You can imagine the impact of that
move on the efficiency and effectiveness of the process. For those of
us who import a great many plants legally, every day is the day after
Katrina.

There is a plan to screen all packages coming into the US using
imaging technology backed up by computers programmed to kick out
packages with contents fitting certain profiles. You can be sure that
plants, bulbs, and seeds will be profiled. The only thing holding
this back is a lack of funding, so our one small hope is the the Bush
administration completes the job of bankrupting the country before
funding becomes available.

I wish that I could say something hopeful about the future of plant
importation, but I think we are doomed.

Barry Yinger
nurseryman and gardener