What is a quarantine and how does it affect me?
A quarantine is a federal or state legal regulation established to prevent the introduction and/or spread of harmful insects, diseases, invasive weeds, soils or other pests that could cause ecological, economic or social impacts to the environment or agricultural industries.
Regulatory agencies use a science-based Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) process to evaluate potential plant health threats and determine what actions are needed to prevent the introduction, establishment, or spread of pests and diseases.
Quarantines are not new. Many states across the United States have had long-standing quarantines for Japanese beetle and other invasive pests, often in place for decades. These quarantines have historically applied to states where the pest is established or under active management.
What is new is that Oregon nurseries are now more directly affected as shippers. As Japanese beetle detections have occurred in Oregon, other states that are considered pest-free or have strict management programs are applying their existing quarantine requirements to plant material shipped from Oregon. In other words, the quarantine rules themselves have not changed, Oregon's nursery shippers are now subject to these rules.
Quarantines can have operational and financial impacts on nurseries that ship or receive plants across quarantine boundaries. For this reason, it is important for nurseries to understand shipping restrictions, notification requirements, and inspections that may apply to their operations.
Nursery businesses are encouraged to work closely with their state nursery inspectors to ensure compliance and to help reduce disruptions to their operations.
What is a Compliance agreement and what does it do?
A compliance agreement (CA) is a formal agreement with a regulatory agency that allows a nursery to ship plants under specific plant-health requirements. By signing a CA, the nursery agrees to follow certain required practices that help prevent the spread of pests or diseases.
The agreement places responsibility on the nursery to follow these practices consistently. While this allows nursery inspectors to issue shipping certificates without observing every step in person, ODA continues to monitor compliance through inspections, audits, and record reviews to ensure the nursery is operating under an approved compliance agreement.
What are pre-notifications and when do I use them?
States may require nurseries to pre-notify their Department of Agriculture (or other regulatory agency) before shipments of quarantined plants enter their state. Pre-notification requirements can vary slightly by state, so shippers should be aware and confirm each destination state's specific requirements. These pre-notifications typically include emailing a shipping list and the associated CQC or phytosanitary certificate with the appropriate additional declaration (AD) indicating how the shipment meets import requirements. These documents are issued to nurseries by the ODA for shipments that meet all quarantine requirements.
States that currently require that pre-notifications of shipments are sent to them before the shipment arrives include:
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Washington
California:
Montana:
Pre-notification must be sent 48 hours in advance to agr@mt.gov. Use the statement, "This notification is in accordance with Montana Quarantine MTQ-2013-01"
What is the difference between a phyto and a CQC? How do we get one?
A phytosanitary certificate (phyto) and a Certificate of Quarantine Compliance (CQC) are both official regulatory documents issued by the ODA, typically after an inspection is conducted by an ODA inspector. They are both designed to accompany shipments of regulated material and verify quarantine compliance but differ from one another in several important ways.
Phytosanitary Certificates (phytos) What is a phyto?
A phytosanitary certificate, or phyto, is issued for each individual shipment of plants. It may be required for domestic or international shipments, depending on the destination.
How much does a phyto cost?
For licensed nurseries:
- State phyto: $25 per shipment
- Federal phyto: $31 per shipment
Unlicensed entities may also apply for a phyto but will be charged inspector time and mileage, in addition to the standard certificate fee.
Can one phyto be used for multiple shipments?
No. Each shipment requires its own phyto. Phytosanitary certificates may not be copied or reused for multiple shipments.
How do I apply for a phyto?
Applications must be submitted through the USDA’s Phytosanitary Issuance and Tracking System (PCIT):
PCIT log-in page
If you do not currently have a PCIT account, please contact your ODA nursery inspector for assistance getting started. The USDA also has a training guide to help you navigate PCIT at this link:
PCIT initial set-up guide
Certificates of Quarantine Compliance (CQCs)
What is a CQC?
A CQC is a document issued by an ODA inspector for inter-state shipments. Once an inspector has confirmed that specific nursery stock meet all inter-state and Federal quarantines, they can issue a CQC to accompany shipments.
How much does a CQC cost?
CQCs do not have a specific cost and are funded through nursery license fees. If you have an active nursery license, your CQC will not cost you any money. Like a phyto, unlicensed entities can apply for CQCs but will be charged for inspector time and mileage.
Can one CQC be used for multiple shipments?
A CQC may be valid for a specific set of plants and/or a specific time range, as determined by a state plant regulatory official. A CQC may be copied and used for multiple shipments during its validity period.
How do I apply for a CQC?
Contact the ODA nursery inspector assigned to your region. They will talk with you about requirements to be eligible for a CQC and arrange a time to come to your site and inspect the plants and relevant records.
What are the soil/growing medium options for the JBHP?
Approved growing media must be free of soil and made from clean materials that have not previously been used to grow plants or for other agricultural purposes. The media must also be free of plant pests and handled in a way that prevents all life stages of Japanese beetles from being introduced.
Examples of approved growing media include:- Bark products (pine or hardwood bark)
- Peat or sphagnum
- Perlite, vermiculite, pumice, or volcanic cinder
- Expanded or baked clay pellets
- Rock wool
- Recycled paper products
- Ground coconut husk
- Processed plant byproducts (such as rice, cocoa or coffee hulls)
- Synthetic materials (such as styrofoam beads, floral foam, or synthetic sponge)
- Commercially processed sand
- Solid rooting materials (e.g. “Oasis Strips” and “Rubber Dirt”)
What growing media is not allowed? The following are not considered approved growing media:
- Field soil or native soil
- Reused or previously used potting media
- Media containing unprocessed organic debris
- Compost or manure
- Media that has been stored or handled in a way that allows exposure to pests, soil, or standing water
Growing media that does not meet these standards may not be eligible for certification under Japanese beetle quarantine requirements.
What happens if a single Japanese beetle is found at an Oregon nursery?
If a single Japanese beetle is detected at an Oregon nursery, the nursery immediately loses its free-from status and can no longer use negative trapping data to certify shipments for the remainder of that shipping season. The nursery must use alternative certification options allowed under the Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (JBHP).
These options include:
- Approved chemical treatments, such as dip, drench, or granular incorporation
- Approved production systems, such as certified Japanese beetle-free greenhouses or screenhouses
- Other JBHP-recognized certification pathways accepted by the destination state
Are there container size limits?
Container size limits apply only to certain treatment options, not to all shipments.
How does a JB detection impact shipping to different states?
- Category 1 states: Shipments must use JBHP-approved mitigation options after a detection. For most growers, available options will be limited to treatment prior to shipment.
- Category 2 states: Nurseries may use any Category 1 option, as well as additional options listed in the JBHP appendix, including accreditation programs where applicable. (See JBHP, pgs. 7 to 18)
Are any plants exempt from Japanese beetle requirements?
Yes. Bare-root plants with clumps of soil or growing media less than ½ inch in diameter are exempt from Japanese beetle regulations.
What does the ODA do after a beetle is found?
The ODA's priority is to prevent the spread of JB to protect the nursery industry and other agricultural sectors. In the event JB is detected, ODA will work directly with the nursery to develop a site-specific response plant, which may include:
- Additional trapping to determine whether the beetle was isolated or part of a larger population
- Targeted treatments, if needed
- Ongoing monitoring and documentation
In summary
A single Japanese beetle detection changes how the ODA is able to certify a nursery's shipments, but it does not stop shipping. ODA works closely with affected nurseries to manage risk using JBHP-approved options and to support continued compliance
For more detailed FAQs about shipping requirements, please review these documents: