USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) updated the Offshore Greenhouse Certification Program (OGCP) to include the approved facility numbers and producer names in all unrooted cuttings consignments from participating facilities. APHIS also updated the list of APHIS-approved plant taxa and disinfectants.
In preparation for the 2022 – 2023 season, APHIS will conduct annual certification visits during peak harvesting time to offshore greenhouse facilities that wish to export APHIS-approved generally admissible unrooted plant cuttings as part of the OGCP. Interested facilities must meet the program’s minimum standards for greenhouse construction, security, production and sanitation, pest management, training, and recordkeeping described in the Offshore Greenhouse Certification Program Framework.
Interested facilities must cover the full cost of these certification visits, including travel, salary, benefits, and overtime. The facilities will provide these funds in a trust fund established through a signed cooperative services agreement.
If you are interested in scheduling a certification visit, please send official correspondence via the National Plant Protection Organization of the exporting country to APHIS by September 23, 2022. For questions or further information, please refer to the OGCP’s website, the Frequently Asked Questions document, or contact Karelyn Cruz, Offshore Certification Specialist.
Source: usda.gov