Lawmakers announce immigration compromise
On Thursday, U.S. lawmakers announced details of the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2007, S.1348. If passed, this compromise would overhaul the nation's immigration system. It includes enhanced border security, interior enforcement, electronic employment eligibility verification, temporary worker programs and the possibility for earned legalization for some current illegal aliens. The measure contains many of the AgJOBS provisions to streamline ag. guest-worker programs and allow experienced farm workers to remain working while they earn legal status, according to ANLA. The association has posted more details on the compromise on its Web site
Officials find more apple moths in California
Calif. Dept. of Food and Ag. announced Wednesday that light brown apple moth was detected in another part of N. California. The federal quarantine for this pest, now approximately 182 sq. miles, is expected to grow. LBAM was found May 9 in a residential area of Napa. The quarantine contains portions of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Marin and Santa Clara counties. It's expected to include Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties soon.
LBAM shows problems in exclusion/detection programs
The light brown apple moth situation reveals a "breakdown of the pest exclusion and detection system in this country," said Robert Falconer, Calif. Assoc. of Nurseries and Garden Centers exec. v.p. The situation has been reminiscent of what happened with Phytophthora ramorum in 2004. After detection of the moth, Florida banned shipments of California plants, regardless of how far exporting nurseries were located from LBAM detections. A federal quarantine was issued and Florida rescinded its quarantine, but Falconer has learned that other states were considering actions similar to Florida's. "In our view [Florida's ban] was not justified. Notwithstanding the fact that they took action early in the delimitation phase, to prohibit plants not even on the host list seemed a bit over reaching," Falconer said.
Illinois association votes to change name
Illinois Nurserymen's Assoc. voted to change the group's name to Illinois Green Industry Assoc. The association had been one of the few remaining in the nation to retain the gender-specific term "nurserymen" in its name. "We are very excited about this new name, and delighted that so many members realize the value in updating and enhancing our identity," said IGIA president Carsten Hoffmeyer. More than 50% of the association's voting members returned ballots on the referendum.
Gypsy moths could defoliate N.J. trees this year
N.J. Dept. of Ag. is warning residents in 11 counties about serious gypsy moth caterpillar problems. These areas could see tree defoliation due to the pest this year. "We are making every effort to combat the severe defoliation caused by the gypsy moth over the past several years," said Charles M. Kuperus, N.J. ag. sec. "We fully appreciate how damaging these insects are and how much of a nuisance their droppings can create. Residents should know that we are using the best science available to us to address this problem." The hardest hit areas will be in Atlantic, Burlington, Ocean, Monmouth, Warren and Sussex counties. Statewide, officials expect more than 200,000 acres to be defoliated by the caterpillars.
Worth a visit
The 12-month Solutions Source series provides solutions to the challenges growers face today. This month: shipping problems and freight costs. Only on GreenBeam.com.
|
PlantFind - the leading provider of technology solutions for the green industry - offers automated solutions to buy and sell everything needed to operate a growing business.
|
