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Plants
Grower Assisted Inspection Program
Importation of plants
Imported firewood
Invasive species
Nursery and Christmas tree grower licensing
Oregon Noxious Weed Control Program
Protected native plants
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Grower Assisted Inspection Program
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.

Requirements

After completing mandatory 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

Importation of plants
Who must comply?
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.

Permits

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 at http://oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/quarantines_index.shtml.

Record keeping

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 Division
Phone    503-986-4636
Web    oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT


Imported firewood
HB 2122 authorizes ODA to adopt regulations related to firewood imported from outside the Pacific Northwest (OR, WA, ID). The purpose is to protect Oregon's trees and forests from invasive pests such as emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle, which are killing trees in other parts of North America. The Oregon Invasive Species Council is working with an advisory committee to draft the rules. Firewood coming from outside the PNW will have to be treated to a pest-free standard and labeled. Firewood from the PNW will not require treatment or labeling. The rules will take effect on January 1, 2013. Education and outreach encouraging people to buy and burn local firewood is ongoing.

Technical assistance

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

Invasive species
Harmful, non-native plants and animals threaten Oregon's environment and agricultural, horticultural, and forestry 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
  • 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, and
  • administer a trust account for funding eradication and education projects.
More information on the council and it's activities is available at: http://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


Nursery and Christmas tree grower licensing
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 Division (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 are 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
Plant Division
635 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97301-2532
Web    oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT

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

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

Commodity Inspection Division, Plant health programs
635 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97301-2532
Web    oregon.gov/ODA/CID/PLANT_HEALTH
Dr. Nancy Osterbauer    503-986-4666

Oregon Noxious Weed Control Program
The Oregon Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Control Program provides leadership and technical expertise for integrated noxious weed control projects throughout the state. This involves coordinating the noxious weed control efforts of federal, state, and county organizations as well as private landowners. 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 exotic, non-indigenous species 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, 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

Protected native plants
Who must comply?
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 by private landowners. The only application of state threatened and endangered plant laws to private lands involves nursery activities where growers are engaged in commercial trade of state-listed plants. 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 the Native Plant Conservation Program can be accessed from the ODA Web site http://oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/CONSERVATION.

Technical assistance

For questions about rules interpretation, the status of specific native plants, advice for voluntary conservation activities, and 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
E-mail    meinker@science.oregonstate.edu
Web    oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/CONSERVATION

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Page updated: January 26, 2012