It was along the same lines, Al, but the Japanese Beetle situation had not
yet come into play.

I faxed a copy of my inspection certificate from the Penna Dept. of
Agriculture, and that did the trick. The gentlemen advised that as long as
I stated on the outside of the package that I gave permission for the box to
be inspected, that was all that was necessary.

I believe they're a lot more strict now, and a glut of inspections probably
led to the certification course of action.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!


"Al" wrote in message
...
Ray, what appropriate info did you have to fax that allowed the box to be
released to the customer? Do you remember why it was stopped?

I think I had my box stopped for a very different reason.

The notice of rejection I received says "Violation of Japanese Beetle
Exterior Quarantine, C.C.R., section 3280. Potted orchids are prohibited
from the state of Virginia unless officially certified."

There was nothing to fax in this case. In order to comply with
California's requirements and obtain the required certificate, I had to
screen all the openings with insect screen and place double entrance doors
at all entrances and certify that the plants i was selling were grown in
my greenhouse and not bought for resale. My state/county inspector had to
send the results of the inspection to California and they were to send a
"certificate of compliance" which was to be attached to all boxes of
orchids going into California. I have never received this certificate. I
was told it had to be renewed annually.

Is this the same as a phyto document?

This happed in February of 2004. To Phrags potted in orchid bark. The
quarantine requirements as explained to me by my state inspector require
me to have the protective coverings in place when the insects are active;
"April through September" although the CCR3280 regulations do not state a
time period.

FWIW, CCR3280 includes the state of Pennsylvania....and practically every
state east of the Mississippi.

"Ray" wrote in message
...
I had something similar happen on a shipment of mine to CA once.
Fortunately, the person at the CA inspection station was pleasant and
reasonable, and after I faxed the appropriate info, they released the
package.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!


"Al" wrote in message
...
Californina will occasional do this. Many states can do it, but Cal is
weird about it.

It could be any number of state-to-state pest/weed import
quarantine/inspection regulations.

Here is a link to a pdf file that explains what your state agriculture
inspector is doing.
http://www.cal-ipc.org/file_library/17797.pdf

You can find box marking requirements in Section 6421.

They want some type of certificate of compliance or a nursery inspection
sticker on the box from the State of Origin. this states the nursery of
origin has been inspected by their state's agriculture department and is
free of pests and in compliance with California's regulations.

The nursery in Michigan can request that the plants be returned to them,
but I doubt you can get the agency to release them to you without this
marking/compliance certificate in place from the nursery, but I may be
wrong.

You can argue with the inspector if you want, but I'd be real nice...

This time of year they start the Japanese beetle witch hunt. Don't get
me started. FedEx shipments get hit more easily imho. Packages marked
loudly as containing live plants attract the inspector's eye

"Joe Dane" wrote in message
. ..
This is the first time this has ever happened to me, and I
am wondering if anyone might have an insight into why it
happened.

Placed an order through a very reputable company. New
world orchid, if anyone is curious. He is out of Michigan.
He goes to the shows in Japan every year and brings stuff
back. I have ordered through him many times. I figure, he
had to have a permit to bring them in the country... and he
does. So I get a letter today from my counties agriculture
weights and measures department saying they have seized
the plants, for violation of CCR 6421. "Lacks marking and
statement of certificate of contents and growing origin."

I am in California. Why do they want growing origin if it
is going from one state to the next? He is faxing them phyto,
and cites... but again.... I have bought from him dozens of
times and I don't quite get it. There has never been a problem
before.

I guess I am wondering if there is some new law I should
know about. I occasionally order stuff from Equagenera, and
have them ship from the shows. It seems like a huge hassle
to ask every company I buy from to make sure the include
cites.

Thanks

Joe