USDA's APHIS announced new regulations to prevent the spread of Phytophthora ramorum, the sudden oak death (SOD) pathogen. The rules establish restrictions on interstate movement of nursery stock from non-quarantined areas in California, Oregon and Washington.

There are also new restrictions on the interstate movement of all nursery stock from nurseries in quarantine areas. New hosts have been added to the regulated species list and new regulations are in place for cut Christmas trees.