White List - Gardeners had better wake up, pronto.

I wrote to J.L. Hudson asking for an update on the so-called "White List".
Here is his response:

17th August 2001
Dear Mr. Whitinger,

Thanks for your note. Your best source for solid information on the White List is http://www.geocities.com/nowhitelist This site has accurate info on many aspects of the problem. They also have links to all of the actual government sites (NISC, etc.) so you can read about it from "the horse's mouth" so to speak. As far as I know, what Clinton's executive order did was create the NISC (National Invasive Species Council) to be the umbrella agency coordinating government activities concerning weeds and so called "invasive species," but did not specifically mandate a "white list." However, it did mandate "risk assessment" and depending on how this is interpreted, could imply that a white list must be established. The NISC is spreading some serious disinformation about the situation. I understand from clients who have called them, that they claim there are no plans for a white list, that they are only interested in "invasive species" and that they "have no idea" why there is concern about a white list. What they are doing is they have changed the terminology - now they call it "comprehensive screening" of all new imports, plus reevaluating all material "currently in the trade." Translated into English, this means that all new introductions (the first time a species is imported) will have to pass through some sort of "screening" process, yet to be developed. Reevaluating material "currently in the trade" means applying the prescreening protocol to everything that is already here and being sold or exchanged. Clearly, in each case, they will HAVE to have a master list of all species that are already approved, obviously, or they would have no way of knowing if it is a first time introduction, and whether or not to let it in. For plants already in the trade, they will HAVE to have a list of all plants that have already passed the protocol. For example, suppose a package arrives at customs from another country containing seeds of a Petunia, a Schizanthus, and a Kentrothamnus. Obviously, the petunia and schizanthus are already here in the US, so these are not first-time introductions. But what about the Kentrothamnus? Clearly, there will have to be list that customs and agriculture workers can check to see if the species in question has already passed screening and is approved for entry. This is the so-called "white list" - a list of all species that are already approved by the government, and if a species is NOT on this list, it will have to pass through whatever prescreening protocols they decide on, BEFORE entry is allowed. Clearly, then, no matter what the NISC or other governmental agencies claim, this will result in ALL species that are not approved, being banned from trade until they have passed through "prescreening," no matter what the cost of screening is. This is inescapably built into the system. I don't know why so many people have trouble understanding this - the proposed policy changes from our current, sensible, "allowed unless specifically banned" system to an insane "banned unless specifically allowed" system. A careful reading of the government websites, along with a minimum of thought will make this clear, despite the deceptive reassurances of the NISC. Also, if one reads the scientific literature on the subject, there are clear, repeated calls for "guilty until proven innocent" regulations by financially-interested researchers (those with connections to the herbicide industry or to regulatory agencies). Promoting invasive species hysteria is becoming quite an industry among academics who find it an easy way to get grant money for projects. However, there are a growing number of scientists who are questioning the whole hysteria. I know it is long and technical, but a close reading of the "Comments to the NISC" (the first link on the nowhitelist site) will give an overview of the situation, with complete citations to the scientific literature to back up all statements made. Also, the nature of prescreening is not yet clear - there have been calls for requiring greenhouse and field trials in different areas of the country to test for invasiveness - I can give you citations on this if you like. Can you imagine what it will cost to do this? Plus, Sarah Reichard, clearly financially-interested since she is already being employed to conduct prescreening, has specifically targeted "Garden club and horticultural society seed exchanges" as well as botanic gardens and arboreta as sources of "invasives" that will have to be dealt with (BioScience Vol. 51, No. 2 page 106), and specifically mentions the North American Rock Garden Society and the International Bulb Society. Gardeners had better wake up, pronto.

Thanks for your interest, and whatever help you can give in getting the word out. Please feel free to distribute this all or in part as you see fit. If I can provide any more informnation, don't hesitate to contact me.

J.L. Hudson, Seedsman
Star Route 2, Box 337
La Honda, CA 94020

Removed by member request

Well that was quite succinct and very interesting. Thanks Dave - now to do more reading :-)

Thanks Dave. Now does anyone know how we can put a stop to this nonsense? It has already gon further than this tax payer likes and I would love to see it ended now!

Everyone needs to write a letter of discontent to his/her Congressman!
Unless, you voice your opine on this
then this obscene type of "government
in action" will continue...and worsen!

"eyes"

I called our newspapers and local garden clubs'

Good idea Sis! I think a letter to the editor and one to the garden page editor might catch a few peoples attention here as well! I have already written my local and state representatives and am now writing to the President! And this from someone who never writes to anyone except the grand kids!

Thanks Zany,gave up on ours a long time ago here,just go right to the press anymore' I also included that link
http://www.geocities.com/nowhitelist/links.html