Customs agents stop infected mum shipments
U.S. Customs and Border Protection ag. specialists at John F. Kennedy Int'l. Airport intercepted a shipment of 76 cartons of cut flowers imported from the Netherlands that were infected with chrysanthemum white rust (Puccinia horiana). 300 stems of the mum variety Santini Greenfield ('Sugrefe') were infected. The flower shipment was destroyed. Since May, ag. specialists at JFK have intercepted this pest at least 8 times on cut flowers from the Netherlands. There have also been white rust interceptions on flowers from Ecuador.
No-match rule takes effect Sept. 14
Dept. of Homeland Security has finalized a new regulation that will outline what employers must do if they receive a "no-match" letter from Social Security Administration. The regulation takes effect Sept. 14. No-match letters are initiated when an employee's name and Social Security Number do not match what is on the employer's W-2 form. Employers who receive a no-match letter for tax year 2006 will receive a letter from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement informing them of the steps they must take to avoid criminal and civil liability. Employers unable to confirm employment through ICE procedures and who continue to employ unauthorized personnel risk liability.
Dutch flower auctions merger approved
The Dutch flower auctions Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer and FloraHolland have received approval from Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) for their intended merger. After extensive research, NMa found that no position of economic power is created or sustained that could have negative consequences for competition. NMa determined that besides the planned new auction organization there will still be enough alternative channels locally and abroad for plant growers and buyers.
Canadian greenhouse manufacturer fined
Sunrise Greenhouse Mfg. Inc., a Kingsville, Ontario-based manufacturer of greenhouse components, was fined $100,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that resulted in the death of 1 employee and serious injury to another. On Aug. 12, 2005, 2 workers were standing at the rear of a large shear machine that cuts steel sheets, which was located next to a racking system. The workers were struck by aluminum plates that slid off a pallet on a forklift truck. One worker died from a head injury. The other worker suffered injuries.
Bank expands service nationally to hort. industry
Bank of the West's Agribusiness Banking Division is expanding its offerings. The bank has nearly $300 million in loan commitments to more than 50 clients in the hort. industry and is looking to expand its services nationally to nursery and greenhouse growers. V.p. Barry Sturdivant said the bank has found ways to work with the hort. industry's consolidation issues and the special issues created by some retailers' pay-by-scan requirements. The bank also works with growers who support independent garden centers that "must constantly innovate to compete." Sturdivant said the bank considers management to be the most important credit factor.
Worth a visit
New American Nursery & Landscape Association president Dwight Hughes Jr. discusses upcoming priorities for the national association. Only on GreenBeam.com.
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