USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is currently evaluating potential changes to its regulation of chrysanthemum white rust. For several years Society of American Florists, American Nursery & Landscape Association and the major mum breeders have been discussing with APHIS officials the possible modification of quarantine requirements. Mum growers in the mid-Atlantic and northeast states have experienced significant financial losses when subjected to quarantines that required them to hold crops.
SAF reports that changes to the regulation would require a full rulemaking notice-and-comment process and would likely take several years. APHIS will continue discuss the quarantine with the horticulture industry. Growers can stay informed about new analyses or proposals through the Plant Protection Quarantine Stakeholder Registry. Industry members are invited to e-mail their comments and ideas to APHIS.
For more information on the disease, check out the Syngenta Flowers chrysanthemum white rust bulletin and the power point of a chrysanthemum white rust webinar presented this summer.

Pictured: USDA-APHIS is currently evaluating potential changes to its regulation of chrysanthemum white rust.
Photo by Sharon Douglas, Conn. Ag. Experiment Station