Industry groups weigh in on CWR regulations

Last week ANLA, OFA and SAF submitted a joint recommendation statement in response to the USDA-APHIS request for comments regarding potential changes to the regulatory status of the disease Chrysanthemum White Rust (CWR). The Associations’ response suggested that the USDA use its authority to treat CWR as a regulated non-quarantine pest (RNQP). This would require that cuttings and cut flower producers participate in a certification-like program to ensure that they provide clean stock to their customers.

Furthermore, it would allow domestic finishing growers to treat CWR as a quality pest and no quarantine measures would be taken if it were found on their property or in the landscape. In addition, the recommendation suggested that before offshore locations were permitted to supply cuttings to the market and participate in an RNQP program, the USDA would first perform a Pest Risk Analysis to determine if potential pest risks associated with the import of chrysanthemums from that country could and would be mitigated.

The joint ANLA, OFA, and SAF comments to the USDA are available here.