USDA/APHIS Proposes Changes in Chrysanthemum White Rust Regulations
Thursday, 12 January 2012 11:09
Chrysanthemum White Rust (CWR) has been an issue for growers for the last few years. The weather conditions in the Northeast and Western Regions of the United States in certain years can be ideal for the development of CWR on the hardy mum crop. Many Massachusetts hardy mum growers have had to make management decisions concerning CWR and these decisions have had a dramatic impact on the cost of production.
In the fall of 2009 the Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association and the Connecticut Greenhouse Growers’ Association proposed changes in CWR regulations to top administrators in USDA/APHIS. The process has moved slowly but has now progressed to where a meeting is tentatively scheduled for early winter 2012 to have growers discuss and review a proposal to change CWR regulations to a Regulated Non-Quarantine Pest or (RNQP). This change would allow growers to deal with CWR as a common disease pest. CWR regulations would continue to stay in place for propagators and imported plant material would still be subject to inspection at the US borders.
Growers, industry representatives, federal and state regulators and researchers will attend the meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss their thoughts and propose options on how best to safeguard the United States industry from Chrysanthemum White Rust (CWR).
The Massachusetts Flower Growers’ Association will be represented at the meeting. If you have any questions or have comments on the matter please feel free to contact the MFGA office at 781-275-4811.
Paul Lopes, University of Massachusetts
