08-09-2007, 06:55 AM
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for your interest. There is some cause for optimism... The Plant Quarantine folks got 7 new positions in the Hilo office this year, about half go to incoming inspections, so hopefully things will get a little tougher on importers of questionable stuff. The local office is also responsible for inspecting nurseries for various critters, including the new inspections for the Light Brown Apple Moth. What scares me is that there is so much import, and so many folks who want to plant and grow just what they did on the mainland. Education is needed!
For instance... not to bring up a quasi-religious thing, but fir trees imported for Christmas trees could bring Sudden Oak Death, which would affect many of our native tree species. Firs are carriers for this strain of phytopthera. They also routinely find garter snakes and such in the shipments. How 'bout folks learn to hang their ornaments on locally-grown Norfolks or other species?
More good reason to support your local farmers and buy local produce or nursery products.
Jane
Thanks for your interest. There is some cause for optimism... The Plant Quarantine folks got 7 new positions in the Hilo office this year, about half go to incoming inspections, so hopefully things will get a little tougher on importers of questionable stuff. The local office is also responsible for inspecting nurseries for various critters, including the new inspections for the Light Brown Apple Moth. What scares me is that there is so much import, and so many folks who want to plant and grow just what they did on the mainland. Education is needed!
For instance... not to bring up a quasi-religious thing, but fir trees imported for Christmas trees could bring Sudden Oak Death, which would affect many of our native tree species. Firs are carriers for this strain of phytopthera. They also routinely find garter snakes and such in the shipments. How 'bout folks learn to hang their ornaments on locally-grown Norfolks or other species?
More good reason to support your local farmers and buy local produce or nursery products.
Jane