U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Department medical specialist across the United States are rage up efforts to scrutinise cut flower shipments to prevent bugs and diseases from reach the American public during Mother ’s solar day this weekend .
Since April 1 , CBP agriculture specialists have visit more than 1 billion theme of cut flower from Europe , Asia , Africa , and South America , intercepting 1,514 significant cuss of diverge species . Colombia stay the top shipping country , with more than 650 million flush stems , most being shipped through the Miami International Airport .
“ With more than 1.3 billion flowers cleared last year for Mother ’s Day;\ , CBP agriculture specialiser are on racecourse to pass the bit this yr , ” said Kevin Harringer , Executive Director of CBP Agriculture Programs and Trade Liaison . “ agribusiness specialists stay vigilant at the frontlines and are hard at work to ensure these peak are available for the holiday . So , whether you plan to give a single theme or an entire bouquet for Mother ’s Day , rest assure the bloom will be barren from incursive pests , and our nation ’s farming will be protected . ”
While it is legal to spell bloom from other countries , certain flush and flora materials commonly establish in floral arrangements are restrict because they may carry plant pests and diseases that can have damage to U.S. Agriculture Department . A exclusive pestis could induce gazillion of dollars of hurt to the state ’s crop . The Noctuidae family , or owlet moth , for example , include more than 35,000 known species that are report to prey on a range of herbs , shrub , and tree , including crop plants such as bean and clavus , consort to the U.S. Department of Agriculture ’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service .
Valentine ’s Day , Mother ’s Day , and the Easter vacation weekend are traditionally the busiest times of the twelvemonth for CBP agriculture medical specialist , with the most popular flowers being roses , mixed bouquets , and chrysanthemums .
CBP recommends that people who wish to import flowers , plant materials , and other agricultural items consult the CBP Information Center on the CBP site or call ( 877 ) 227 - 5511 . traveller should also announce all items acquired afield to CBP officers to avoid civil or condemnable punishment and reduce the risk of present pestilence and disease to the United States . CBP now offer the CBP One mobile app , which permit travelers to call for a variety of CBP services , including the review of agrarian products . The CBP One app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play .
Source : cbp.gov
