APHIS withdraws rule change related to rust

APHIS has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have amended the nursery stock regulations to provide an option in which the post-entry quarantine growing period for articles of Chrysanthemum spp., Leucanthemella serotina and Nipponanthemum nipponicum that are imported from certain locations would have been reduced from 6 months to 2 months. The change would have required the grower of those plants to implement a systems approach in the country of origin to prevent the imported articles from being infected with chrysanthemum white rust. APHIS officials took this action after considering the comments they received following the publication of the proposed rule. Representatives of local and state governments stated that it would be difficult to conduct the required post-entry quarantine inspection and produce the appropriate documentation within the 2-month timeframe.