Monitoring program finds illegal propagation

Tens of thousands of New Guinea impatiens cuttings which had been propagated without permission were discovered earlier this year by COPF in Canada. The Most-Effective Monitoring Program, started by COPF in 2007, conducts monitoring visits to growers within a specific time frame based on shipping date and plant format. Several Canadian growers were fined for illegal propagation, including one Ontario grower who had 70,000 “extra” cuttings.
The Ontario grower has stopped the illegal propagation and placed a significant cutting order with a participating breeding company for this season. The value of the order is higher than the cost to the breeder for 2 years of the monitoring program.
COPF president Philip Thompson of Horticolor Canada said the goal of the monitoring program is to ensure growers are conducting business on a level playing field. “We believe this is how our industry will develop strong and equitable market prices,” he said. COPF reminds growers that many annuals are not allowed to be propagated, even sticking tip cuttings, without permission.