News

USDA-APHIS imposes new permit requirements
If you import plant material for research, trialing or under post-entry quarantine, you should familiarize yourself with the new Controlled Import Permit (“CIP”) regulations issued by USDA-APHIS. The CIP permit replaces the old departmental permits and also encompasses Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) agreements. The new CIP regulations went into effect June 3.

The CIP will be the single type of permit authorizing import into the U.S. of otherwise prohibited or restricted plant material for experimental, therapeutic or developmental purposes. In addition, the CIP permit will replace the current Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) permit.

Previously, some sections of the APHIS regulations allowed import under a departmental permit, while other sections provided for import under special conditions.

For more: https://federalregister.gov/a/2013-10385

USDA-APHIS publishes second list of prohibited plants
The second list of plants and flowers USDA-APHIS proposes to prohibit for import into the U.S. – the “NAPPRA” (Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis) Round Two list – has been published by USDA for public comment. Once USDA-APHIS has reviewed the public comments, it will publish a final list of the plants or flowers to be prohibited for import until a pest risk analysis has been completed for them.

The proposed list includes 37 taxa that are considered because they could be hosts of one or more of the nine quarantine pests listed, and 22 taxa of plants that may be quarantine pests (invasive) themselves.

One of the goals of the NAPPRA rule is to strengthen protections against the importation of pests, diseases, and invasive plants, while avoiding disruption of current trade as much as possible. Once officially in that category and before it could be imported, APHIS would require that a “Pest Risk Analysis” be completed. This process can be time-consuming and cause delays, so it is important to look at the list now, before it is finalized.

To submit comments, go to www.regulations.gov, and search for “APHIS-2012-0076.”

House rejects Farm Bill
On June 20, the Republican-led U.S. House soundly rejected a five-year, $500 billion farm bill by a vote of 195-234, failing to muster enough support from conservative Republicans concerned about costs and Democrats concerned about deep cuts to the country’s popular food stamp program.

The Senate had passed its own version of the farm bill by a vote of 66-27 on June 10, but it will remain in limbo until the House finishes its own work. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, announced that “we are assessing all our options.”

Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, proposed that the House simply adopt the Senate’s version of the bill, and bring it to the floor for a vote.

The Senate bill reduces spending by $24 billion, and eliminates more than 100 programs, while reforming and updating others. Current federal agriculture programs are operating on a short-term extension that expires Sept. 30.

While the Farm Bill is still in motion, growers should monitor amendments that could negatively impact the specialty crop programs. One proposed amendment would reduce the funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grants (SCBGs) from the proposed $70 million to $55 million. In addition, it would it would prohibit funds from being used to “promote, produce, or otherwise support crops that are ornamental in nature.”
 

BASF launches fire ant bait
BASF introduced Siesta Insecticide Fire Ant Bait. The active ingredient is metaflumizone.

“Siesta Insecticide Fire Ant Bait is the only sodium blocker insecticide that doesn’t require metabolism for bioactivation,” said Kathie Kalmowitz, market development specialist, BASF.

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For optimal results, the product should be applied as a broadcast treatment so foraging ants and hidden or unnoticed mounds receive coverage.

Siesta is labeled for use on golf courses, residential turfgrass and ornamental landscapes, production field and container nurseries, commercial and industrial areas and recreational areas. For a full listing of use sites, consult the product label.

For more: BetterPlants.basf.us