pbs Digest, Vol 56, Issue 14

JamieV. jamievande@freenet.de
Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:22:01 PDT
Adam, et al,

although I agree this is not really off-topic, as it concerns the 
traffic in ornamental plants, which is definitely what we are involved 
in, but to believe that these new regulations are to protect us from 
terrorist or genetic plots is pretty naive!  If one were to actually 
create some form of pathogen that could be easily transmitted via plants 
or seeds, getting to the appropriate point of distribution would never 
be a big problem.  The current security measures would never be able to 
stop a well thought out plan.  Let's be realistic!  We shouldn't let 
media propoganda mislead us.

The current situation is much more to do with control of all transaction 
between otherwise free peoples and control as much of their daily 
intercourse as possible, end of subject. (or is it?  Who is benefiting 
from these controls?.  Not you and me) The unfortunate fact that phytos 
for small shipments have become an issue is simply fall-out of political 
correctness and is of little value in actually monitoring the 
import-export of possible pathogens.  Inspecting huge shipments of 
organic goods has a valid point, but inspecting small shipments of 
garden plants/seeds is nothing short of nonsense.  Now, this knowledge 
doesn't help any of us obtain the objects of our desire, but it should 
make it clear that the issue is much larger than control of a few stray 
seeds!  What we are seeing is a world wide tightening of controls, which 
does effect our personal liberties.  That the American people have 
allowed their govt. to interfere in their personal lives in the name of 
national security leaves the rest of the free world in absolute 
disbelief.  One would think people would read between the lines and see 
the issue for what it actually is.  Loss of freedom.  Usurping personal 
and human rights.  Unfortunately, this madness has spread well beyond 
the American borders.  We are all effected.

I don't want to do a soap-box, but I have.  You want to have the right 
to import plants without undue restriction, then write hard core letters 
to your politicians and tell them the current situation is 
unacceptable!  Don't let yourselves be whitewashed into believing this 
is in the name of national security.  After all, those Monarch 
Butterflies were not murdered by terrorists, they were murdered by  
researchers that didn't have it all figured out.  An unfortunate 
mistake, but not a terrorist attack.  Such 'accidents' happen world 
wide, it is certainly not only the US, but the connection to gardeners 
like you and I simply does not exist!

I expect to receive some hate mail after this, especially considering 
the day we have, but the point of my posting is that the situation is 
already out of hand.  If we do not all react and attempt to regain 
control over our personal rights, we won't be able to raise anything in 
our gardens, except the local weeds!  And that only with permission.

Ciao,

Jamie V.
Cologne



Adam Fikso schrieb:
> Considering the importance of the phytosanitary issue , and the likelihood 
> of it continuing--why don't we start considering phytosanitary issues and 
> delays as being "on-topic"?. Apparently there is a new set of standards 
> being considered for international uniformity which derives its concerns not 
> only from terrorist concerns, but from anxiety and concern  about 
> genetically engineered seeds and plants, which might be used as vehicles for 
> terrorist goals. being issued by the Secretariat of the International Plant 
> Proection Convention , Food and Agriculture Organizationn  of the U.N.. 
> Jacques Diouf, Director-General.
>
>   For example, there is current research on transgenic corn which would 
> carry a gene to protect against E.coli  just as a result of eating it, and 
> another line of research which would protect against HIV infection. (Chicago 
> Tribune Magazine Section, September 9, 2007) .  Most of you are probably 
> already aware of the transgenic corn  pollen which destroyed thousands of 
> Monarch Butterflies.
>
>
> Given this, what is to keep a bio-terrorist from using  similar methods to 
> infect or destroy a population of  people?  Without answering the questions 
> implied here, the issue of how one guards against this  bio-terrorist 
> eventuality  by developing and writing regulations for the inspection and 
> transport of seed between countries becomes an enormous task.  Relevant 
> questions for governments are: What kind of inspection is even possible? 
> What kinds of quarantines are facing us in the future?
>
> I think that much of the present concern we're seeing is motivated in part 
> by some of the above issues.  So, growing decorative plants from seed from 
> other places may become much more restrictive in the near future, and 
> perhaps for a long time.
>
>   


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