APHIS Establishes Offshore Greenhouse Certification Program

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is inviting greenhouse facilities located outside the United States to participate in its newly established Offshore Greenhouse Certification Program. Facilities that are accepted into the program will agree to produce generally admissible unrooted plant cuttings under a systems approach to reduce pest and disease risks. In turn, shipments produced and exported under this program may receive fewer or less frequent inspections at U.S. plant inspection stations, helping to expedite clearance and entry.

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. APHIS officials will physically visit and certify each facility—at the facility’s expense—before it may participate in the program. APHIS will schedule onsite visits starting in November 2020.

If you are interested in exporting unrooted plant cuttings to the United States under the Offshore Greenhouse Certification Program starting in the 2020-2021 season, or would like more information about the program, contact Karelyn Cruz, Offshore Certification Specialist, at karelyn.cruz@usda.gov before August 31, 2020.