Fwd: Establishing taxa as "present"

Tony Avent tony@plantdelights.com
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:38:12 PDT
Jim:

I agree that the proposed screening mechanism is a close to a disaster 
as one could envision for American horticulture.  With such a system in 
place, we would not be growing the likes of lantana, impatiens, celosia, 
miscanthus, sweet potatoes, tall fescue, etc. today.  We had visits this 
year from a number of Australian nurseries and their horror stories of 
dealing with their regulations are truly frightening.  Another problem 
with such a screening system is that this will drive importing of plant 
further "underground."  US inspectors are woefully untrained and 
couldn't distinguish one plant from another in the first place, which 
makes enforcement of this new regulation impossible. If you thought 
wiretapping of calls to terrorists was bad, wait until they show up at 
your home wanting a list of plants that you grow...1984 all over again.  
Call your congressman today and let them know your concerns. 

Tony Avent
Plant Delights Nursery @
Juniper Level Botanic Garden
9241 Sauls Road
Raleigh, North Carolina  27603  USA
Minimum Winter Temps 0-5 F
Maximum Summer Temps 95-105F
USDA Hardiness Zone 7b
email tony@plantdelights.com
website  http://www.plantdelights.com/
phone 919 772-4794
fax  919 772-4752
"I consider every plant hardy until I have killed it myself...at least three times" - Avent



James Waddick wrote:
> 	Another problem with 'Present' is that by this logic, all the 
> others are 'Absent' and you effectively have a white list (GOOD) and 
> a black list (EVIL). Try taking any plant from the 'dark side' into 
> the light.
> 	I think the Australia example is a good example of a bad system.
>
> 	And it also suggest that every species and subspecies will be 
> designated good or bad regardless of genetic affinity or the rest of 
> the genus/family.
>
> 	Oh dear.		Jim W.
>   


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