[MPWG] Canada/United States Greenhouse certification program - This is not the White List

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

So, a couple more clarifications, thanks to listserve members:

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Canada/United States Greenhouse certification program:
It should also be noted that this program appears to be about expediting 
the movement of plants that meet certain criteria, but it does not mean 
that plants failing to meet those criteria are barred from import, just 
that there is a more lengthy process for their import.

About the White List:  NOTE: The white list and the greenhouse 
certification program are two different things.

Both Canada and the US are working on improving their management of 
introduced/invasive plants and plant pests.  The coordination is not as 
close as earlier postings might indicate.  CFIA/Canada appear to be 
further along in the rulemaking process.  Yes, the "white" list would 
apply primarily to issues of whether the plant is invasive; concerns about 
its origin relate largely to possible pest/pathogen contamination (moving 
plants is one of the "best" pathways for transporting arthropods and 
especially pathogens to new regions).
 
US - USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is approaching 
finalization of a regulation under which it would begin designating plant 
species as acceptable for import - or not.  This is the NAPPRA proposal, 
put out for comment in summer 2009.  Under this proposal, APHIS would 
temporarily prohibit importation of plant taxa that it thought - based on 
preliminary scientific data and evaluation - were a risk for invasiveness. 
 [NAPPRA means Not Authorized for Importation Pending Pest Risk 
Assessment]  APHIS has drawn up a preliminary list of plant taxa that it 
considers qualify for NAPPRA category, and this list will be published 
when it finalizes the NAPPRA rule.  That is supposed to occur in 
December/January, according to my most recent information.
 
APHIS has not shared the list of proposed NAPPRA plants (or pests).  It 
has been using one or more weediness screening tools, developed from the 
Western Australia methodology.  I hope they will describe their 
methodology in detail when they issue the rule. 

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Also for your information, the Plant Conservation Alliance hosts a 
listserve devoted exclusively to invasive plants, the Alien Plant Working 
Group listserve (www.nps.gov/plants/alien/maillist.htm).  There is an 
excellent array of expertise on that list that can elucidate issues such 
as the "White List." I encourage you to consider joining this list as 
well. Generally speaking, topics are not cross-posted (although where I 
see cross-cutting issues, I do try to cross-post messages both lists).

Thank you,
Patricia

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276

Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>
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