LIBRARY Jfcvk**^^/' STATE PLANT BOARD / UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine Washington, D- C 3. E. P. Q.— 445 May 10, 1937. Superseding P. Q. C« A- — 314 plant-quarantine import restrictions op central america UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine Washington, D. C 3. E. P. Q.— 445 May 10, 1937. Superseding P. Q. C« A- — 314 plant- quarantine import restrictions OF CENTRAL AMERICA The following summary of the plant-quarantine import restrictions of the countries of Central America has "been prepared for the information of nurserymen, plant-quarantine officials, and others interested in the exportation of plants and plant products from the United States of North America to those countries. The summary was compiled by Harry B. Shaw, Plant Quarantine Inspector in Charge, Foreign Information Service, Division of Foreign Plant Quarantines, from the original texts or his translations thereof. 1^'n.e summaries were then reviewed by the appropriate officials of the respective countries. The information contained in this circular is believed to be correct and complete up to the time of preparation, but it is not in- tended to be used independently of, nor as a substitute for, the original texts, and it is not to be interpreted as legally authoritative. The quarantines themselves should be consulted for the exact texts. ./^ySTRONC, _ Chief, Bureau off Entomology andi^Pla/t Quarantine. PUNT-QUARANTINE IMPORT RESTRICTIONS OF CENTRAL AMERICA CONTENTS F&ge 3RITISH HONDURAS Basic Legislation ----------------------- g Importation of banana plants prohibited from certain countries -------------------- g Importation of citrus plants restricted ------------ g Importation of fresh fruits and vegetables from United States unrestricted ---- _______ 3 License required to import tobacco seed ------------ 4 Importation of coconut palms prohibited ------------ 4 Importation of sugarcane prohibited -------------- 4 COSTA RICA Restrictions on importation of live plants ---------- 5 Importation of plant and vegetable seeds not restricted ------------------------ 5 Importation of coffee and sugarcane plants prohibited ------------------------ 5 Alfalfa seed subject to inspection -------------- 6 GUATEMALA Inspection certificate required for plants ---------- 7 Certification not required of mailed flower and vegetable seeds -___--_____-_-_-__- 7 uncertified plants subject to inspection and disinfection - - - 7 Importation prohibited -------------------- 8 HONDURAS No plant quarantine restrictions --------------- 9 NICARAGUA Importation of used sacks prohibited ------------- 10 PANAMA Fnv to sanitary certificate required for rubber plants and seeds --------------------- 11 SALVADOR Inspection certificate must accompany plants and seeds - - - - 12 Fumigation of used empty sacks required ------------ 13 Fruit from San Francisco - inspection certificate required ------------------------- 13 Cottonseed must be fumigated ----------------- 13 Importation of coffee plants and seeds prohibited ------- 13 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/centramer37unit "-' 2 - Y OF THE PI^NT- QUARANTINE IMPORT RESTRICTIONS OF THE' COLONY OF BRITISH HONDURAS BASIC LEGISLATION (Plant Protection Ordinance of 1924, as amended by that of 1928) It shall be lawful for the Governor by proclamation: ('_) To prohibit absolutely, or subject to such conditions as he may prescribe, the importation generally, or from any country or place named in such proclamation, of any fruit, seeds, cuttings, plants, or any description of earth, or soil, or any articles packed therewith, or any package, covering, or thing in which they may be packedj or any article or thing which, in his opinion, is likely to be the means of introducing any plant disease into the Colony; (b) To make any Order' he may deem fit respecting the disinfect- ing, transport, or storing or destruction' of any of the articles afore- said. (Ordinance of Aug. 23, 1928, to amend the Plant protection Ordi- nance of 1924.) IMPORTATION OF BANANA PLANTS PROHIBITED FROM CERTAIN COUNTRIES ... The importation is absolutely prohibited into the Colony of British Honduras, directly or indirectly, of the plant known as the banana plant and any other species of the genus 1,'usa from the West Indian Islands, Republics of Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, the Continent of South America, Canary Islands, and West Africa, together with any articles or soil packed therewith, or any package, covering, or thing in which it may be packed, unless it is imported by the Department of Agriculture for experimental purposes, or under a license issued by the Agricultixral Officer. (Proc, No. 18, May, 1934.) IMPORTATION OF CITRUS PLANTS RESTRICTED The importation into the Colony, directly or indirectly, of citrus plants, including plants of grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime, and tangerine, is absolutely prohibited save and except under the following conditions: (a) AH orders shall be placed through the Department of Agriculture and the selection of the nursery from which any plants are obtained shall be made by and be in the discretion of the Agricultural Officer. - 3 (b) Trees shall "be fumigated on arrival if considered necessary by the Agricultural Officer. " (c_) Trees in each consignment shall be planted out in one block and shall be open to inspection at any time by officers of the Department of Agriculture. (d) Within 3 years after planting any tree as aforesaid, if in the-, .opinion of the Agricultural Officer it is necessary to destroy any tree or to spray the same in any particular manner due to the presence of harmful disease believed to have been introduced on such tree, the owner thereof shall, on being re- quired to do so in writing by the Agricultural Officer, carry out at his' own expense any such instructions as aforesaid. . • • (e) All materials used in the packing of any trees, as well as any container in which the same may have been conveyed, shall be destroyed by fire after the plants have been received on the farm on which they are to be set out. (Proc. No. 6, Feb. 13, 1934.) IMPORTATION OF FRESH FRUITS AMD VEGETABLES FROM THE UNITED STATES UNRESTRICTED The importation is prohibited into British Honduras from all sources except Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the United States of America, of fruits (except greenb ananas, nuts, and dried or processed fruits); and vege t ables (except Irish potatoes, onions, canned or processed vegetables, grains, seeds, dried beans, and peas). Each shipment of fruits and vegetables from Canada and from the United Kingdom and Ireland shall be accompanied by a certificate affirm- ing that the products are of home origin. Fruits (except bananas and plantains) grown in Jamaica may be imported only when each shipment is accompanied by a certificate of origin and inspection issued by the Agricultural Officer. Plants packed or growing in soil (except citrus plants) may be imported only when a certificate of introduction is granted by the Agricultural Officer after inspection and, if necessary, fumigation. AH such plants end plant products offered for entry into the Colony which do not comply with the above regulations shall be des- troyed by the Government. This Proclamation shall net apply to materials required by the Agricultural Department. (Proc. No. 19, July 21, 1932.) - 4 - LICENSE REQUIRED TO IMPORT TOBACCO SEED From the fifth chy of August, 1933, all importations of to ha ceo seeds are prohibited except under license issued by the Agricultural Officer which shall prescribe such treatment of the seeds by the Department of Agriculture as the Agricultural Officer may deem necessary. (Proc. No. 21, Aug. 1, 1933.) IMPORTATION 0? COCONUT PALI'S PROHIBITED The importation into the Colony, directly or indirectly, is pro- hibited of any part or portion of the coconut palm ( Cocos nucifera ), including plants, leo.ves, leaflets, and unhusked fruits (but not in- cluding the husked nut of commerce) , except by the Department of Agri- culture for the purpose of experimental work undertaken by that Depart- ment. (Proc. No. 25, Aug. 14, 1933.) IMPORTATION OF SUGARCANE PROHIBITED Except under License The importation into the Colony, directly or indirectly, is pro- hibited of sugarcane ( Snccharum officinarum L- ) , sugarcane seedlings, and plants, and all other parts of the sugarcane, and earth or soil, or any articles packed therewith, except under license issued by the Governor. (proc. No. 39, Aug. 30, 1935.) summaex of the plint-quarantine import restrictions of the republic of costa rica IMPORTATION OF LIVE PLANTS SUBJECT TO PERMIT, CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN, AND INSPECTION The importer in Costa Rica shall apply in advance to the National Agricultural Center for a permit to import live plants, or parts thereof, roots, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, stems, etc. On the arrival of a shipment of plants or parts thereof, the im- porter shall present to the said Center a certificate of origin and an original invoice. If, upon inspection, the plants are found to be in perfect sani- tary condition, a permit may be issued to authorize their entry. .If they are found to be carriers of pathogenic organisms they shall be destroyed after notifying the owner, who shall have no rights of indemnity. Customs and postal officials shall send to the National Agricul- tural Center at San Pedro de Montes de Oca, all plants and parts thereof for inspection, provided the weight of the shipment does not exceed 50 kilograms. The said Center will be requested to send an inspector to examine larger shipments. The National Agricultural Center may import any class of plants for scientific or experimental purposes. (Decree of Jan. 15, 1925, and Decree of Nov. 8, 1929.) IMPORTATION OF PLANT AND VEGETABLE SEEDS NOT RESTRICTED The importation of plant and vegetable seeds intended for sowing or for immediate consumption, as well as the seeds of ornamental and forest plants, will not be subject to the provisions of this decree. (Decree of Nov. 8, 1929.) IMPORTATION OF COFFEE AND SUGARCANE PLANTS PROHIBITED The importation of live plants or vegetative parts of every specie? of the genus Coffea and of the genus Saccharum is prohibited. The impor- tation also is -prohibited of empty sacks or other containers which have been employed for coffee. (Decrees of Aug. 18, 1924, and Nov. 8, 1929.) - D - ALFALFA SEEL SUBJECT TO INSPECT ION Alfalfa seeds in quantities not exceeding 50 kilograms shall "be sent by the Customs or postal officials to the national Agricultural Center for inspection. If the quantity is greater than 50 kilograms the said Center shall be requested to send an inspector to examine the seeds to determine whether they are contaminated with dodder seeds ( Cuscuta ). (Decree of llov. 8, 1929.) « a .«S?'°- - 7 SUMMARY OF THE PLANT- QUARANTINE IMPORT RESTRICTIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA INSPECTION CERTIFICATE REQUIRED WITH EACH SHIPMENT OF PLANTS An inspection certificate issued "by competent authority (State or Federal) of the place of origin is required with each shipment of plants, parts thereof, seeds, or fruits, and all packing materials, declaring them to he free from diseases of a contagious character and that they are from sources where no insects, fungi, or other parasites exist, the introduction of which might constitute a danger to the cultures of the country. The certificate is to "be visaed "by a Guatemalan Consul. The above applies also to mail importations. (Decrees of Aug. 29, 1919, Sept. 8, 1923, and July 1, 1930) CERTIFICATION NOT REQUIRED OF FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SEEDS SHIPPED BY MAIL According to an abstract published in the International Bulletin of Plant Protection, VI: 12, December, 1932, page 206, the Decree of June 4, 1932, prescribes that the phytosanitary certificate established by the Decree of August 29, 1919, will no longer be required in the case of flower and vegetable seeds sent in small quantities by mail. For every other consignment, including potatoes for food or seed, the consuls of Guatemala will require the presentation of phy to sanitary certificates before the customary permit can be issued. INSPECTION AND TREATMENT OF PLANTS UNACCOMPANIED 3Y AN INSPECTION CERTIFICATE Any importation of seeds or plants unaccompanied by the certifi- cate required by the Decree of August 29, 1919, will be sent by the cus- toms or postal officials to the Direction General of Agriculture, where the interested persons may obtain them after inspection and, if neces- sary, disinfection, at the expense of the interested persons. (Decree of Jan. 15, 1920.) Only flower and vegetable seeds imported by mail in packages not exceeding 10 pounds are excepted from the certification requirement. (Decree of Jan. 15, 1920.) IMPORTATION PROHIBITED Su~a r cr. -i e .> ho o t s . (Decree of Jan. 15, 1920.) Mulberry trees . (Decree of May 24, 1922.) Usee empty s;>c ■■'.:-. , to prevent the introduction of the coffee bean weevil, Araecerus fasciculatus . (Decree of Apr. 28, 1923.) B anan a riant s from the Antilles and the countries around the Gulf of Honduras. (Decree of Fov. 6, L923.) Coffee, Gardenia, and Cape Jasmine seeds and plants . (Decree of Sept. 8, 1923), e::cept that coffee seeds may be imported through the Ministry of Agriculture. (Decree of Sept. 8, 1923.) - 9 - SUMMARY OF PLANT- QUARANTINE IMPORT RESTRICTIONS OP THE REPUBLIC OP HONDURAS This Republic has no plant-quarantine import restrictions. - 10 SUMMARY OF THE PLANT- QU/IRAHTINE IMPORT RESTRICTIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF iJICARAJUA I!.:rOPTATIOI T OF USED SACKS PROHIBITED The importation into Nicaragua is prohibited of used sacks, whether empty or as containers of any kind of merchandise. (Decree of Sept. 25, 1925.) This Republic has no plant-quarantine import restrictions other than that on used sacks. - 11 - SUMMARY OF THE PLANT- QUARANTINE IMPORT RESTRICTIONS OE THE REPUBLIC OE PANAMA PHYTOSANITARY CERTIEICATE REQUIRED FOR RUBBER PLANTS AND SEEDS A phytosanitary certificate issued "by competent officials of the country of origin is required with each shipment of rubber seeds ( Hevea spp.)i shoots, and plants. The importation is prohibited of such ma- terials infected hy the South American leaf disease ( Dothidella ulei P. Henn.) or any other infection that might seriously damage the grow- ing of rubber trees in the Republic (Resolution No. 15, Feb. 22, 1935.) - 12 - summahy of the plant- quarantine import restrictions of the republic of salvador INSFECTION CERTIFICATE MUST ACCOMPANY PLANTS AND SEEDS Decree No. 266 of October ' 18-19, 1933 (Diario Oficial No. 236, Oct. 26, 1933), imposes certification requirements on plant material offered for entry into the Republic of Salvador. Article 1. The plant material included in the following tariff numbers has been exempted from import duty and consular fees for visaing invoices and shipping papers: 321-1-30-001 Seeds, bulbs, roots, rootstocks, bulbous roots, and shoots, inedible. 321-1-30-002 Cottonseed for planting. Art. 2. The following notes are inserted: Note No. 321 (a). Plants and seeds that fall within this chap- ter and may at the same time serve as food products for consumption, are placed as such in section 2, title 1, chapter 2. Note No. 321 (b) . For the entry of plants and seeds that fall under this chapter, the customs offices of the Republic will require of the interested person a certificate of the corresponding agricultural phy to- sanitary office, visaed by the Consul of Salvador. The attestation of these documents is free. If shipments of plants and seeds are not accompanied by the said certificate, the Ministry of Agriculture may order the destruction of plants and seeds which may be imported into Salvador, if in its opinion the said plants and seeds involve danger if propagated; furthermore, the Ministry is authorized to order the fumigation of the same at the expense of the interested persons at any place deemed suitable, if the corres- ponding certificate is not presented. Art. 3. The preceding regulations become effective with plants and seeds loaded 30 days after the approval of the present decree, as indi- cated by the bill of lading. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA - 13 - 3 1262 09246 0830 FUMIGATION OF USED EMPTY SACKS -ESQUIRED ; Used empty sacks must "be fumigated at the port of embarkation and the certificate of fumigation must be visaed "by the Salvadorean Consul in that district. If the shipment arrives without the certifi- cate of fumigation, the importer will be obliged to pay a surtax of 10 percent of the duty in addition to the established 10 percent for registration and examination, as well as the cost of fumigation at the port of entry. (Decree of July 10, 1930.) INSPECTION CERTIFICATE REQUIRED WITH EACH SHIPMENT OF FRUIT FROM SAN FRANCISCO Ihe Salvadorean Consul at San Francisco, Calif., will require shippers of fruits to the Republic of Salvador to present with the docu- ments applying to each shipment an inspection certificate, issued by competent authority, affirming that the fruits shipped are in the- condi- tion noted in the respective bill of lading. (Decree of Oct. 8, 1930.) COTTONSEED MUST BE FUMIGATED Each shipment of cottonseed offered for entry into Salvador must be accompanied by an official certificate affirming that it has been duly fumigated. If such a shipment is not accompanied by a fumigation certificate its fumigation at the port of entry may be required, at the expense of the consignee, before being withdrawn from the dock. To facilitate fumigation, cottonseed shall be entered only through the port of La Libertad. (Decree of Jan. 23, 1924.) IMPORTATION OF COFFEE STEMS, SHRUBS, AMD SEEDS PROHIBITED To prevent the introduction of certain diseases affecting coffee plantations in other countries, the importation of coffee stems, shrubs, or seeds into Salvador has been indefinitely prohibited. , (Executive Decree of Feb. 7, 1925. ) !