I re-post here a page from the old Forum that I thought would make things more clear to any USA Member in doubt about the USA APHIS seed import regulations. You will see that they were posted in September 2006, following the publication of similar instructions with the July Journal and Secretary's Pages.
SRGC Forum Seed Exchange VITAL RULES FOR USA MEMBERS 2006
Posted September 2006 -
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IMPORTANT NEWS FOR US MEMBERS WISHING TO APPLY FOR SEED THROUGH THE SRGC SEED EXCHANGE
The US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has instituted and published a new rule regarding requirements for importing Small Lots of Seed. This new rule supersedes the previous need for SRGC to apply for (costly and delaying) phytosanitary certificates by establishing a new permit for importing Small Lots of Seed.
This rule came into effect on May 15, 2006, these new permits will be available at no charge to US citizens and will be valid for three years, and multiple uses.
To apply for seed through the SRGC Seed Exchange this year, members from the USA must apply for an Import License from the US authorities, and send it in with their orders for seed.
Details of the system and of how to apply for a permit are at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/Q37/smalllotsseed.ht ml .
A permit form can also be accessed through
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/plantproduct s/nursery.html - click on the small lots of seed program, where you can download PPQ form 587, fill it in and send it to the USDA-APHIS-PPQ Permit Unit.
Page 2 of the application form contains "Special instructions for a small lots of seed permit." which says that on the first line of box 3, enter SMALL LOTS OF SEED PROGRAM, and on the next line enter ELIGIBLE TAXA. In section 4 the intended use is PROPAGATION - tick the box, and in Section 5 tick AIR MAIL.
The APHIS site will also have updated lists of plant taxa that are restricted or prohibited, or simply not eligible to be imported under this new Permit. You might want to know that APHIS's list of unenterable plants is not simply a list (as one would hope), but the current Nursery Stock Manual: a 370-page .pdf which must be downloaded. And it lists ALL plants/plant parts that are either prohibited or restricted.
An easier place to learn whether a seed is eligible for US import would be to go to the NARGS website:
http://www.nargs.org/RestrictedSeed/ where there is a list of just seeds that may enter; it will have anything relevant that our groups are interested in growing.
Current import permits cannot be used for Small Lots of Seed; US members (or seed intake managers of US organizations) will have to obtain this new special permit.
The application, PPQ form 587, will have to be printed, filled out, and mailed.
Online permits can only be done if you have gone through the steps of receiving "eAuthentication".
Our strong advice is that US members should order their permits NOW; we do not know how long it will take US authorities to issue permits. Applying for a permit when the seed list arrives WILL BE TOO LATE! Instructions on what to do with your permit when you order seed will be in the seedlist and will be posted on the website too.
We regret that we will not be able to fulfil any seed orders from the US that do not have a permit accompanying the order.
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September 28, 2006 -
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Just a reminder to everyone, USA members and all others, that there will be NO online seed ordering this year.All orders will need to be posted in.
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Posted September , 2006
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We have had a very generous offer from Joyce Fingerut of NARGS who has told us that if you have any questions regarding this matter you may contact her and she can help you through the permit application process. Joyce says “I'd like to see this go well for everyone!”
Joyce Fingerut can be emailed via: alpinegarden@comcast.net
Or, for any friends who do not have internet access, you can give them these contact details for questions and/or help:
Joyce Fingerut
537 Taugwonk Road
Stonington, CT 06378-1805
860-535-3067
MANY THANKS TO JOYCE FOR HER CONTINUING ASSISTANCE IN THESE MATTERS!!
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