| Sudden oak death regulations |
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| Introduction |
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Phytophthora ramorum is a plant pathogen that has been identified as the causative agent of sudden oak death (SOD). P. ramorum was first observed in Marin County, California in 1995 on tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus). The pathogen now infects native hosts in 14 counties along California coast and in Curry County in southwestern Oregon where it has caused widespread dieback of tanoak and other oak species. P. ramorum has also been found infecting horticultural plants at nurseries in California, Oregon, and Washington and also in Europe and Canada. A complete host list (pdf 4kB) for SOD is maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA, APHIS).
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| Regulations |
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The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) first began surveying Oregon nurseries for SOD in 2001, with the advent of the quarantine in Curry county. Surveying continued in 2002 with no positive finds for P. ramorum. The pathogen was first found in 2003 at nurseries in Clackamas, Jackson, and Washington counties. Nursery crops infected included Camellia, Pieris, Rhododendron, and Viburnum species. The affected nurseries were placed on quarantine until all infected material was destroyed, delimitation surveys completed, and 90 day monitoring found no sign of the disease. In 2004, the pathogen was detected in 23 nurseries and the USDA confirmed nursery protocol was initiated for positive nurseries. Protocol included immediate quarantine of positive nurseries, delimitation surveys to assess the extent of the infection, destruction of all positive plant material, survey monitoring, trace forward surveys, and trace back surveys. On January 10, 2005, a USDA federal order went in effect, regulating the movement of nursery stock from Oregon, California, and Washington nurseries. The purpose of the order was to prevent the spread and dissemination of P. ramorum through the horticultural trade. The number of infected nurseries dropped for 2005 and 2006, 15 and 13 respectively.
Currently, nurseries that ship plants out of state are required to enter into compliance with the USDA. Host and associated host nursery stock may not be moved interstate from any commercial nursery in Oregon unless the nursery enters into a USDA compliance agreement and a USDA certificate (shield) (pdf, 116kB) accompanies the shipment. In addition, the USDA-APHIS is now requiring each growing/shipping location to have a unique federal certificate. This certificate will be used when shipping plant material from that assigned certificate’s location. Shipping papers will need to indicate the growing location for the plant material invoiced and a copy of the appropriate federal certificate (shield). An up to date listing of federal regulations can be found at; http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/pram/regulations.shtml
The ODA requires nurseries that grow P. ramorum host plants and ship out of state to be part of the P. ramorum certification program. Nurseries that do not ship plants out of state are not required to be certified. Nurseries in the certification program will receive an annual inspection during calendar year in which an ODA representative will sample host material. Nurseries that grow non-host plants and ship out of state will receive an annual inspection during calendar year 2007. Because Rhododendron and Camellia are high-risk host plants, nurseries that ship out of state and grow either will receive two additional inspections during 2007.
A USDA shield will be provided after the nursery has been declared SOD-free. The shield signifies the plant material originates from a nursery that has been inspected, tested, and found free of P. ramorum and that the nursery has entered into a compliance agreement with the USDA. This shield must be included with shipping documents when exporting host material. Once this process is completed, the nursery will be listed on the P. ramorum free list located on the ODA web site. An annual SOD inspection is required to maintain current compliance with the USDA.
Nurseries under a compliance agreement may only receive host and associated host plants from other certified nurseries, or, if that is not possible, the nursery must hold host plants from uncertified sources pending an ODA inspection and sampling. Recipients of tree and shrub nursery stock imported into the state of Oregon from any out-of-state source are also required to notify the ODA. This information assists ODA personnel in monitoring of SOD host material imported to Oregon as well as plant material of other quarantine concern. Notification shall be via mail, FAX or e-mail to: Nursery Program Supervisor, Plant Division, Oregon Department of Agriculture, 635 Capitol St. NE, Salem, OR 97301; FAX 503-986-4564; quarantine@oda.state.or.us
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| Federal compliance agreement instructions |
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For nurseries who have undergone testing and inspection for P. ramorum, a current federal compliance agreement must be on file with the Oregon Department of Agriculture. To enter into the Federal Compliance Agreement:
- Download the Federal Compliance Agreement, PPQ Form 519 (pdf, 116kB), please read thoroughly. If only one growing/shipping location is used complete steps 5 through 7 below. If more than one growing/shipping location is used, photocopy and complete a compliance agreement for each growing/shipping location. (steps 5 through 7)
- Complete the enclosed Growing Location List. Be sure that the location name and address will be the same that is listed on the shipping paperwork that is sent with each shipment.
- Complete blocks 1, 2, 6, 7, & 8 on the first page of the agreement. Fill in your name and sign the appropriate line on page 6.
- Mail or fax only pages 1 and 6 of the Compliance Agreements and the Growing Location List to:
Melissa Boschee
Oregon Department of Agriculture
Plant Division
635 Capitol Street NE
Salem, Oregon 97301-2532
Fax: 503/986-4564
A copy of the completed compliance agreement will be returned to you along with a new Federal shield with a unique number for each growing/shipping location. Please feel free to contact Melissa at 503/986-4644 if you need additional information.
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| Additional information |
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