09-12-2018, 08:02 AM
I received this email today, concerning eucalyptus, ohia trees, the affects of rust fungus on them, and it's spread:
In the last six years the Department of Agriculture’s Import Replacement Program has been collaborating with our local Florists, Nurseries, Farmers and Ranchers, that sell and grow Myrtaceae (myrtle family plants including eucalyptus) and are ready for the next step, where they will be conducting meetings throughout the state regarding the restriction and ban of Myrtaceae imports into Hawaii.
We have been provided the following abstract from the Department of Agriculture and we are requesting if you can share with us your comments, concerns, and any other feedback to better understand our memberships views going forward:
Since its first documented introduction to Hawaii in 2005, the rust fungus P. psidii (now known as Austropuccinia psidii) has already severely damaged Syzygium jambos (Indian rose apple) trees and the federally endangered Eugenia koolauensis (nioi). Since the primary pathway of introduction is Myrtaceae plant material (live plants and plant parts including cut foliage) imported from outside the state, potential damage to Hawaii-grown Myrtaceae including ohia can be minimized by regulating those high-risk imports. The rule would prohibit the import of all Myrtaceae plants, plant parts or seeds except dried/non-living material, seeds that have been surface-sterilized pursuant to permit conditions, and tissue-cultured plants grown in sterile media and in a completely enclosed sterile flask.
The benefits to the forest plantation industry of a complete ban on non-seed material would likely outweigh the costs to other affected sectors, even without considering the reduction in risk to ‘#333;hi‘a. Incorporating the value of ohia protection would further increase the benefit-cost ratio in favor of an import ban.
The primary costs quantified would accrue to florists and include both the lost profits during the transition period and the resources required finding suitable Myrtaceae substitutes. There will be costs to nurseries and plantations of finding local seed suppliers, switching to local propagation, and/or building the one-year quarantine into production plans. The relative size of those costs is expected to be small in comparison to the total NPV (Net Present Value).
There is great value of Ohia and the avoided damages to the native forest are expected to be substantial and likely higher than avoided damages to affected industries.
To summarize, imported Myrtaceae has been known to carry a rust fungus that is seen as an invasive risk to Hawaii grown Myrtaceae a group that includes Ohia. This is a proposed ban on the importation of Myrtaceae In Hawaii. We hope that this will also support the local propagation of Myrtaceae in Hawaii to replace the products that were being imported.
If you have any questions please contact our Regulatory Chair Johnny Gordines at gordines@kauaiflowers.com. Please send comments and feedback to hfnajudy@gmail.com. As always, we look forward to hearing from our membership and thank you for your participation.
In the last six years the Department of Agriculture’s Import Replacement Program has been collaborating with our local Florists, Nurseries, Farmers and Ranchers, that sell and grow Myrtaceae (myrtle family plants including eucalyptus) and are ready for the next step, where they will be conducting meetings throughout the state regarding the restriction and ban of Myrtaceae imports into Hawaii.
We have been provided the following abstract from the Department of Agriculture and we are requesting if you can share with us your comments, concerns, and any other feedback to better understand our memberships views going forward:
Since its first documented introduction to Hawaii in 2005, the rust fungus P. psidii (now known as Austropuccinia psidii) has already severely damaged Syzygium jambos (Indian rose apple) trees and the federally endangered Eugenia koolauensis (nioi). Since the primary pathway of introduction is Myrtaceae plant material (live plants and plant parts including cut foliage) imported from outside the state, potential damage to Hawaii-grown Myrtaceae including ohia can be minimized by regulating those high-risk imports. The rule would prohibit the import of all Myrtaceae plants, plant parts or seeds except dried/non-living material, seeds that have been surface-sterilized pursuant to permit conditions, and tissue-cultured plants grown in sterile media and in a completely enclosed sterile flask.
The benefits to the forest plantation industry of a complete ban on non-seed material would likely outweigh the costs to other affected sectors, even without considering the reduction in risk to ‘#333;hi‘a. Incorporating the value of ohia protection would further increase the benefit-cost ratio in favor of an import ban.
The primary costs quantified would accrue to florists and include both the lost profits during the transition period and the resources required finding suitable Myrtaceae substitutes. There will be costs to nurseries and plantations of finding local seed suppliers, switching to local propagation, and/or building the one-year quarantine into production plans. The relative size of those costs is expected to be small in comparison to the total NPV (Net Present Value).
There is great value of Ohia and the avoided damages to the native forest are expected to be substantial and likely higher than avoided damages to affected industries.
To summarize, imported Myrtaceae has been known to carry a rust fungus that is seen as an invasive risk to Hawaii grown Myrtaceae a group that includes Ohia. This is a proposed ban on the importation of Myrtaceae In Hawaii. We hope that this will also support the local propagation of Myrtaceae in Hawaii to replace the products that were being imported.
If you have any questions please contact our Regulatory Chair Johnny Gordines at gordines@kauaiflowers.com. Please send comments and feedback to hfnajudy@gmail.com. As always, we look forward to hearing from our membership and thank you for your participation.
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves
