Re: [aroid-l] Permits- THANKS!

From: Regferns at aol.com on 2004.02.09 at 22:31:42(11130) Even when bringing in the plants as personal luggage, if you do have a lot of plants, they have to be transported to the Agriculture Dept. by a bonded company. Ag is usually away from the airport. I have used brokers, even kindly airline employees, and at least twice, Ag inspectors themselves (but this is not the norm). I've done 16 collection trips and I can honestly tell you that getting plants inspected is always different. While there no doubt are federal guidelines, Miami, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco are all on different pages. +More Sometimes the airlines will want you to declare the plants with them and then they transport them to Ag. Other times, Ag inspectors will have you contact a broker; this is what usually happens. I've not been on a collection trip since the mandatory Phytosanitary Certificates are required (2002). This is a new wrinkle in what has always been a mysterious process -- but one that can be gotten through by having a pleasant disposition and an Ag agent who did not wake up on the wrong side of the bed. There are stories to tell, but I'm afraid this missive would be entirely too long. Reggie Whitehead South Miami, FL

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