USDA Post Entry Quarantine Do’s & Don’ts

1. USDA Post Entry Quarantine Do’s & Don’ts Presented by Cindy Cooper WSDA Plant Protection Division 360-902-2062

2. What is Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ)? • PEQ is a USDA program • administered in some states by departments of ag- WSDA • Allows entry of high risk plant genera from certain approved countries- • Malus, Prunus, Pyrus from Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Great Britain are subject to PEQ.

3. Why do we need it? • to detect viruses & diseases which are latent or difficult to see during initial entry inspection. • To exclude pests of concern that are not established in the U.S. • Intended to aid introduction of new varieties (small quantities)

4. Basic PEQ Process WSDA inspector will assist by: • Conducting surveys of growing sites to approve and ensure growing requirements are met • Inspecting postentry plant material during two growing seasons (for pathogens & vectors) • Completing and distributing appropriate forms to secure release from USDA

5. Step 1: Site Approval • Contact state inspector to arrange for site approval • They will fill out form 546 with you • Importer signs it, WSDA forwards to USDA for approval

7. PEQ Site Do’s • Do allow good accessibility for inspection • Do provide enough field space for the number of plants being imported • Do maintain a buffer zone of at least 10 feet (3 meters) distance from domestic plants of the same postentry genus and any other postentry genera • Do pick a site with environmental conditions conducive to growing disease free plants • Do have control of the property for the length of the quarantine period

8. Step 2: Import Permit • Importer applies for import permit with USDA @ http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/ • USDA issues permit, with instructions for importer & shipping labels • Once you have the permit, you may arrange for plants to be shipped

9. Import Permit

10. Shipping Do’s • Do send foreign grower green & yellow shipping labels for boxes. • Do label boxes with USDA address so they don’t come to you without inspection • Do have shipment sent with a phytosanitary certificate and a copy of the import permit

11. Shipping Don’ts If you suspect plants were shipped directly to you, instead of to USDA: • Don’t open the boxes- call your WSDA inspector immediately. Plants must be sent to Seattle USDA for inspection first.

12. Clues that shipment was not inspected yet • No box appears to have been opened and resealed • Original phyto is present • No yellow PEQ tag or form 236 present

13. Step 3: Plants Arrive at USDA Inspection Station • Inspected by USDA • Form 236 & PEQ tag issued • If insects found, will be fumigated or returned @ importers expense • Importer arranges plant pick up

14. Step 4: Plants grown at approved site for 2 growing seasons

15. Quarantine Period Do’s • Importer responsibilities during quarantine period: • Do contact State inspector if PEQ material dies or appears infected or infested. • Do save all dead PEQ material in plastic bags. • Do dispose of dead PEQ material under WSDA supervision: • Approved Disposal: • Burning • Autoclaving – 15 lbs. for ½ - 1 hour • Deep burial (more than 2 feet) • Disapproved Disposal: • Composting • Public landfill

16. Do keep PEQ Tags with the plants in the field-Notify WSDA if tags are lost or become illegible

17. More Do’s during Quarantine period Importer responsibilities continued: • Do stay in touch with your WSDA inspector • Do notify WSDA when you • Change your address or the responsible person changes • request to increase the number of plants (propagate PEQ plants) • request to cut flowers for sale Must have written permission

18. Potential Violations- Don’ts • Prohibited plants on premises (improperly entered) • PEQ plants on an unapproved site • Refused entry to inspector during business hours • PEQ plants have no label or label is incorrect • Other imported or same genus plants are within 3 meters of PEQ plants • PEQ plants propagated without written approval by USDA • PEQ plants not treated when required • PEQ plantsnot destroyed when directed to do so

19. Vectors must be controlled during PEQ period

20. Potential Violations- More Don’ts Failure to report: • A conspicuous plant abnormality • plant deaths • plant disposition • A violation listed on the PPQ Form 546—Screening Notice Plants with viral symptoms will be tested

22. Step 5: Release from Quarantine • When inspections are completed, WSDA will recommend release to USDA. • While in PEQ, plants have not legally entered commerce- wait for written release

23. ONLY USDA can RELEASE Plants from Quarantine- • DO NOT MOVE plants until written release is received (USDA form 569)