Q-37 -- Your comments needed to strengthen screening of US plant
imports
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dwjoh-@cal-ipc.org
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Sep 22, 2009 14:07 PDT
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California weed workers,
As you may know, USDA has recently proposed revisions to their Q-37
guidelines for screening plant imports. They propose creation of a
category called NAPPRA -- "not authorized pending pest risk analysis" --
where risky plant species could be listed, and these species would need
a full-on risk assessment before they could be cleared for import. There
are weaknesses to the proposal, but overall it would be a huge step
forward in stemming the tide of new introductions.
The comment period closes in one month, on Oct. 21. It is simple to
comment online, and it is essential that we generate a high number of
comments (some say weed worker support for the measure was outweighed by
resistance from the nursery trade when USDA first went out for comments
on this 5 years ago, and that's why progress has been so slow since
then). Go to www.regulations.gov, search on "nappra", then click "submit
comment" for the item labeled "proposed rules". Comments can be brief,
simply stating that screening of risky plants is good policy and
important to protecting the country's natural resources. You don't have
to prepare a detailed critique. We just need to give USDA strong
backing for moving forward on this important revision.
This comment period also provides an excellent opening for contacting
USDA leadership to stress the importance of prevention and control
programs for invasive plants, so if you are able to send a letter from
your organization, all the better.
We have everything you need -- background on the issue, instructions on
how to comment, a sample letter, and talking points -- on our website
at www.cal-ipc.org/policy/federal/Q37.php.
Please consider weighing in on this important issue. It's not often we
have the opportunity to influence national prevention policy. Thanks!
Doug
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Doug Johnson, Executive Director
California Invasive Plant Council
www.cal-ipc.org
1442-A Walnut St., #462
Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 843-3902
dwjoh-@cal-ipc.org
/Protecting California from invasive plants through research, education and restoration./
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