The Oregon Department of Agriculture Grower Assisted Inspection Program (GAIP) is a voluntary program designed to mitigate the risk of spreading Phytophthora diseases through the shipment of nursery stock. By participating in the GAIP, nurseries agree to adopt best management practices (BMP) that target specific critical control points in their plant production processes where Phytophthora disease can be introduced. GAIP is especially important for nurseries where P. ramorum (sudden oak death) has been found and it is likely to become mandatory for those nurseries soon.

Requi​rements

After completing training about Phytophthora disease, participants in the program develop a pest risk mitigation manual that describes their BMP. The department then audits the participants on a regular basis to ensure the nurseries are performing the BMP described in their mitigation manuals. Participating nurseries that are in compliance receive official certification stickers to include with their shipments.

Technical assistance

Oregon Department of Agriculture
Nursery Auditor
Melissa Lujan
Phone 503-986-4644

Nursery and Christmas Tree Program Supervisor
Gary McAninch
Phone 503-986-4644

Plant Health Program Supervisor
Dr. Nancy Osterbauer
Phone 503-986-4620

Imported plants, fruits, vegetables, and some other products must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin. All agricultural products must be declared to the US Customs Service on arrival. Importers or their brokers must arrange for an agricultural inspection. Any necessary treatments, such as fumigation, must be accomplished at the importers expense and conducted under the supervision of a USDA inspector.

Per​mits

For import permits, contact USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine at 503-326-2814.

Quarantines

Quarantines regulating plant shipment into and within Oregon are available online

Web oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/Pages/quarantines_index.aspx

Record keepi​ng

All imported plants and plant products must be identified as to species and country of origin.

Technical assistance

US Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Phone 503-326-2814

Oregon Department of Agriculture
Plant Programs
Phone 503-986-4636
Web oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT

Starting January 1, 2013, firewood coming from outside the Pacific Northwest will have to be treated to a pest-free standard and labeled (OAR 603-052-1080 to 1090). Firewood from the PNW will not require treatment or labeling. Education and outreach encouraging people to buy and burn local firewood is ongoing. A free app called “Firewood Buddy” is available from the iTunes store to help campers locate local sources of firewood.

Technical assistance

Oregon Invasive Species Council
Lisa DeBruyckere
Phone 503-704-2884

Harmful, non-native plants and animals threaten Oregon’s environment and agriculture, horticulture, and forest industries. Invasive species displace desirable species and cost Oregonians millions of dollars annually in control treatments and lost productivity.

The Oregon Invasive Species Council was created in 2002 to do the following:

• Create and publicize a system for reporting sightings of invasive species
  
• Undertake educational activities to increase awareness of invasive species issues
  
• Develop a statewide plan for dealing with invasive species
  
• Administer a trust account for funding eradication and education projects.

Web oregon.gov/OISC​

Help protect Oregon

Think you’ve found an invader? Report potential invasive species to the hotline.

Invasive Species Hotline 1-866-INVADER
Web oregoninvasiveshotline.org​

The Oregon Department of Agriculture provides nursery licensing and inspection services to the wholesale and retail nursery industry statewide, including rootstock for fruit and ornamental plants. These services ensure that nursery stock grown and sold in Oregon is free from pests and diseases. The department also inspects Christmas trees to ensure freedom from quarantine pests and diseases. Certificates and permits required for the movement of nursery stock and Christmas trees from growing location to marketplace are issued by the department.

Who must comply?

Any person who grows or sells nursery stock, rootstock, fruit trees, or ornamental plants in Oregon must obtain a nursery license from the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ORS 571.055). Any person who grows Christmas trees in Oregon must obtain a Christmas tree grower’s license from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Plant Programs (ORS 571.525).

To participate in the fruit tree virus certification program, or to find out more about soil fumigation requirements and other disease-free certification practices, contact the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Fruit Tree Virus Certification Program at 503-986-4664.

Technical assistance

The Oregon Department of Agriculture provides shipping information for intrastate, interstate, and international shipments of nursery stock and Christmas trees, and issues certificates and permits appropriate for such shipments. Information regarding changes in shipping requirements, pest and disease control information, and quarantines is made available to licensees via direct mailings and industry publications.

The department also provides pest and disease diagnostic services to assist in the prevention and elimination of plant pests and diseases for nursery stock and Christmas tree producers.

Oregon Department of Agriculture
635 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97301-2532

Plant Programs
Web oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT​

Nursery and Christmas tree licensing
Gary McAninch
Phone 503-986-4644

Insect pest programs
Dr Helmuth Rogg
Phone 503-986-4662

Market Access Program Area, Plant Health Program
Web oregon.gov/ODA/CID/PLANT_HEALTH
Dr Nancy Osterbauer
Phone 503-986-4666

The Oregon Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Control Program provides leadership and technical expertise for integrated noxious weed control projects throughout the state. The program also works on the identification of high priority invasive noxious weeds and makes recommendations to the Oregon State Weed Board for listing. Weeds are designated by the board as; “A,” “B,” or “T,” which sets the priority for control. “A” weeds are highest priority and are targeted for early detection, eradication, or containment. The department also maintains a state noxious weed quarantine list (OAR 603-052-1200), which prohibits all listed plants from entry into the state, transport within the state, sale or offering for sale, or propagation within the state.

Definition

Noxious weeds are defined, by the Oregon State Weed Board, as non-native plants that are injurious to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife, or any public or private property.

Technical assistance

The Oregon Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Control Program provides technical assistance to the public on integrated weed management practices and weed identification, and prioritizes weed species for control in various regions of the state. The Oregon Department of Agriculture, through the Oregon State Weed Board and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), offers noxious weed control grants that protect or enhance fish and wildlife habitat or overall watershed health.

Oregon Department of Agriculture
Noxious Weed Control Program
Tim Butler
Phone 503-986-4625
Fax 503-986-4786
Web oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS
Invasive Species Hotline 1-866-INVADER

Native plants listed as threatened or endangered by the State of Oregon are protected by law on nonfederal public lands (ORS 564). There are no provisions to conserve state-listed plant species, or their habitat, on private property. Nevertheless, ODA encourages voluntary conservation of native plants on private lands, and has historically served an advisory role in such projects upon request. The only application of state threatened and endangered plant laws to private lands involves nursery activities. Commercial trade of state-listed species is prohibited in Oregon, unless cultivated stock originated prior to the date of species’ listing and the grower receives a commercial use permit from ODA. Scientists or others wishing to engage in noncommercial activities with, or affecting, protected species must apply for a research permit. An overview of ODA’s Native Plant Conservation Program can be accessed from the ODA website.

Web oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/CONSERVATION 

Technical assistance

For questions about rules interpretation, the status of specific native plants, advice for voluntary conservation activities, requests for commercial use or research permits, or additional program information, contact:

Oregon Department of Agriculture
Native Plant Conservation Program
Dr Robert Meinke
Department of Botany and Plant Pathology
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-2902
Phone 541-737-2317
Email meinker@science.oregonstate.edu
Web oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/CONSERVATION​