Comment from Richard Gaskalla

To Whom It May Concern: The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Plant Industry reviewed the proposed rules entitled “Importation of Bromeliad Plants in Growing Media from Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands”, which proposes to amend the regulations for the importation of Bromeliad plants of the genera Aechmea, Cryptanthus, Guzmania, Hohenbergia, Neoregelia, Tillandsia, and Vriesa from Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands to the list of plants that may be imported into the United States in an approved growing medium, subject to specified growing, inspection and certification requirements. The FDACS’ DPI does not support this proposed action due to the enhanced exotic pest and disease introduction risk that is significantly elevated with plants imported in growing media. The mitigation measures for plant diseases like Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Opuntiarum are not adequate and should require additional measures including a serological test. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposed rule amendment. Sincerely, Richard Gaskalla, Director Division of Plant Industry