Reporting and holding of tree and shrub nursery stock

 

WAC 16-402-100  Purpose.  The intrusion of non-native, invasive plant pest species into Washington state is a significant public concern.  Plant pest species include insects, nematodes, snails, plant diseases, weeds and other species which harm plants or plant products.  If established, such plant pests have potential to cause harm to the state’s forest, agricultural, horticultural, floricultural and apiary industries, to damage natural resources and the property of private landowners, to reduce environmental quality, and to threaten the diversity and abundance of native species.   In recent years, many of these invasive plant pests have entered the state, in some cases causing significant private and public expense for monitoring, control or eradication.  This rule is intended to aid in the exclusion, tracking, identification, control and/or eradication of invasive plant pests which may enter the state on or in association with horticultural plants, in order to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment.

 

WAC 16-402-110  Definitions.  The following definitions apply to WAC 16-402-100 through WAC 16-402-130:

(1)     “Tree and shrub nursery stock” means woody forest and ornamental trees, shrubs and vines grown or kept for propagation, distribution or sale, including bareroot, balled and burlaped, and containerized plants, liners, budwood, seedlings and cuttings.  Fruit, seeds and tissue culture plantlets are not considered tree and shrub nursery stock.

(2)     “Business day” means Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays.

(3)     “Receiving nursery” means any nursery dealer within Washington state, including landscape firms and greenhouses required to be licensed as nursery dealers, that acquires tree and shrub nursery stock via interstate or international shipment.

 

WAC 16-402-120  Notification requirement. 

(1)    Receiving nurseries for tree and shrub nursery stock imported into Washington state from any out-of-state source are required to notify the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).  Notification methods may include U.S. Mail, telefacsimile, delivery service or e-mail to:  Nursery Inspection Program Supervisor, Plant Protection Division, Washington State Department of Agriculture, 1111 Washington St. SE, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560; FAX (360) 902-2094; email:  nursery@agr.wa.gov 

(2)    Notification must include the species of plant(s), quantities of each species, source of each shipment and the receiving nursery’s contact information including telephone numbers and email address (if available).  Copies of regular shipping documents, such as load lists, with this information are encouraged. 

(3)    Notification must arrive at WSDA no later than two business days after arrival of the shipment at the receiving nursery.  Notification in advance of the shipment is encouraged. 

(4)    WSDA may approve alternative notification systems, if the alternative systems allow the provisions of WAC 16-401-130 to be carried out.

 

WAC 16-402-130  Hold requirement.

(1)    Tree and shrub nursery stock shipments from outside the state must be held separate from other nursery stock for a minimum of one full business day after notification is received by WSDA. 

(2)    WSDA will contact the nursery before or during the hold period specified in paragraph (1) of this section, if the tree and shrub nursery stock must be held for inspection.  WSDA will conduct the inspection as soon as practicable.

(3)    Unless the receiving nursery has been instructed by WSDA to hold the shipment under paragraph (2) of this section, the receiving nursery may distribute the stock before the expiration of the hold period specified in paragraph (1) of this section, if the disposition of the stock is fully traceable.  Retail sale to cash customers is not permitted during the hold period.