Important Changes to GWSS Regulations

1.The California department of food and Agriculture (CDFA) has filed new statewide Emergency regulations with the Office of Administrative Law to prevent the spread of the glassy-winged sharpshooter in shipments of nursery stack destined for Northern California (Regulatory Action No. 00-0717-O5E). These regulations are now in effect Under these regulations all shipments of plants (as defined in the regulations) originating from an infested area and moving to a non-infested area must be certified as complying with the requirement of the regulations. Requirements for "blue tags? remain in effect unless the destination county provides the department with written notification that they are rescinding their earlier "blue tag" notice

2.It is our understanding that these new regulations are designed to simplify the requirements to ship plants to Northern California through the use of revised compliance agreements. Without these compliance agreements, most plant shipments to Northern California would have to be inspected prior to shipment.

3. C.A.N. and NGA are working with the State and County Agricultural Commissioners to insure a smooth transition to the new regulations.

4.To assist the nursery industry so that they can continue to ship nursery stock to Northern California, State and County inspectors will begin early this week to inspect nurseries. Nurseries should then be able to sign new revised compliance agreements.

5. Gary Hayakawa has been working with the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner on this issue. Official notification and the revised compliance agreement information will be mailed from the Agricultural Commissioner?s Office as soon as it is received from the State to all production nurseries.

6.The current compliance you are using will change this week Contact your local Ag Commissioners office for further information.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING GWSS YOU CAN GO TO THE CDFA WEBSITE WHICH IS: cdfa.ca.gov\gwss