[NAFEX] U of S Cherries

Ribes60 at aol.com Ribes60 at aol.com
Sat Feb 28 23:25:08 EST 2004


"Has there ever been cooperative breeding programs between Canada and the USA"

There is a lot of cooperation between the two countries and also with 
Europe.I have brought in many gooseberries and currants from Canada and fron Europe 
to use in the breeding program here. BUT we still have to abide by the import 
rules and the processes set up to protect each other. I brought in 14 cultivars 
of gooseberries from Belgium and they have remained in quarantine at 
Beltsville for almost 5 years, I received 5 of them about a month ago and was informed 
that at least 4 more would have to be destroyed because they could not pass 
the requirement that they be free of a virus. The others are still undergoing 
more testing.

I respect these rules and the necessity for them. There are diseases and 
pests in Europe that we do not have in the USA or in Canada. It is much easier to 
bring plants in from Canada. But they must be inspected. I have been informed 
that even tissue cultures must go through this process. Both sides are trying 
to find a method that both can live with and be comfortable that no disease 
will be imported along with the cultivar that we bring in.

It is very important that we not circumvent these rules that are in place to 
protect the fruit industry or just the home gardens that we all enjoy. The 
White Pine Blister Rust that invoked the federal ban on gooseberries and currants 
many years ago was brought to North America on white pine seedlings that were 
inported from Europe.

Ed Mashburn
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