North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Jwlehman@aol.com]

In a message dated 5/29/2008 4:27:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rattler_mt@yahoo.com writes:

> if you ask 10 different Department of Ag(or Customs, i forget which as i exchanged phone calls on this 3 or so years ago) people about it you will get 10 slightly different answers but the general feeling is a few seeds going from an individual in someplace like Australia to the US is not something they are going to really look at.


Hi Sheridan,

Even if they worried about it, they don't have the man power to open all incoming mail from other countries looking for a few seed. Or inspect all incoming suit cases. The law is one needs an import permit to be safe from prosecution. It also protects the US food supply and economy.

It's kinda like drinking and driving. You can do it all day long as long as you don't have an accident or get caught in a road side inspection net. One officer may look the other way and the next one will hammer you. 

As you well know, as you are bringing material in, the USDA is very cooperative. I have found State authorities also cooperative. Permits are easy to obtain. Why risk getting caught or costing taxpayers millions trying to eradicate something like the Sharka virus. If one brings in material legally, which includes an inspection, then some insect or disease gets by the APHIS inspectors, you are legally off the hook.   

Jerry


  


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