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Agripedia: Plants
Importation of plants
Invasive species
Nursery and Christmas tree grower licensing
Oregon Noxious Weed Control Program
Protected native plants
Agripedia table of contents
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 and/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 the USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine Division 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 http://oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT

Invasive species
Harmful, non-native plants and animals threaten Oregon's environment and agricultural, horticultural, and forestry industries. They 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: 1) create and publicize a system for reporting sightings of invasive species, 2) undertake educational activities to increase awareness of invasive species issues, 3) develop a statewide plan for dealing with invasive species, and 4) administer a trust account for funding eradication and education projects. More information on the council and it's activities is available at: http://www.oregon.gov/OISC.
 

Technical assistance
Report potential new sightings
Invasive Species hotline    1-866-INVADER
Web    http://www.oregon.gov/OISC

Nursery and Christmas tree grower licensing
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).
 
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.
 
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 http://oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT
 
Nursery and Christmas tree licensing
Gary McAninch 503-986-4644
 
Plant health programs
Dr. Nancy Osterbauer 503-986-4666
 
Insect pest programs
Dr. Kathleen Johnson 503-986-4662

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 (ORS 570.500). 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 (ORS 561.650) for listing. Weeds are designated by the board as; "A," "B," or "T," which sets the priority for control. 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, 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    503-986-4625
Fax    503-986-4786
Web    http://oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS
 
Invasive Species Hotline
Phone    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    http://oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/CONSERVATION
 

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Page updated: March 10, 2008

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