Agricultural smuggling - a threat to farms, gardens, and our ecosystem

Karla Salp

Communications

WSDA received a report of seeds
mailed from China that the 
recipient did not order.

On Friday, July 24, WSDA received two separate reports of residents receiving seeds from China that they did not order. The package labeling indicated that jewelry was inside, but instead the residents found seeds. 

We have also received reports of people who purchased seeds from an online retailer thinking the seeds were from the United States, only to learn when the package arrived in the mail (also usually listing something other than seeds on the mailing labels) that the seeds were from another country.

Avoiding plant import regulations and bypassing customs (for example, by mislabeling a package and identifying its contents as something else) to get plant material into the United States is known as agricultural smuggling and is not only illegal, but poses a serious threat to our farms, gardens, animals, and environment. 

• They could be invasive. Some plants are not allowed to enter the country because they are known to be invasive, and could outcompete native plants.  
• They could harbor pests and diseases. Plants and seeds can have insect or disease pests that could devastate native plants that have no defense against them. This could lead to the loss of plants or require increased pesticide use to manage. 
• They could harm livestock. Some plants are toxic to livestock and other animals – even humans. If they are planted, they could be harmful to livestock and other animals. 

For these reasons, bringing plant material into the United States is closely regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

What Washington residents should do

USDA is asking residents to place these seeds and their packaging in a plastic bag. Place the bag in a mailing envelope and send to USDA for further investigation. Washington residents can submit seeds they suspect have entered the country illegally to USDA at the following address:

USDA-APHIS-PPQ – Attn: Jason Allen

Seattle Plant Inspection Station

835 South 192nd Street, Bldg D, Ste 1600

Seatac, WA 98148. 

Those who have planted the seeds should leave the plants where they are and contact the APHIS State Plant Health Director for guidance. 

WSDA had previously instructed residents to double bag and dispose of the seeds and plants grown from them in the trash before receiving this updated guidance. Residents who disposed of seeds do not need to take any further action. 

Questions about submitting seeds should be sent to the APHIS State Plant Health Director.

What about burning the seeds? 

Burning seeds is not a guaranteed way to kill the seeds. Some seeds actually require fire and smoke to germinate, so burning an unknown seed could actually improve its ability to grow. If fire is not needed to help a seed germinate, then with enough time, fire could make the seed unviable. However, the average person may not be able to generate enough heat for long enough to kill the seed without a substantial risk to catching other things on fire. 

What about grinding up the seeds?

We suggest that you do not open the seed packets at all. Opening and putting the seeds through a blender, for example, could release fungal or other plant diseases. 

What residents in other states should do

Anyone outside of Washington State who receives an unsolicited package of seeds from China or other countries should contact their state plant regulatory official or APHIS State plant health director. Please hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, until someone from your state department of agriculture or APHIS contacts you with further instructions. Do not plant or consume seeds from unknown origins.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is aware that people across the country have received unsolicited packages of seed from China. APHIS is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection and State departments of agriculture to prevent the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds.

In addition to the work that USDA APHIS is doing, WSDA’s Plant Protection staff are also working with online retailers to prevent this from happening in the future. 

Thank you to everyone who has reported this issue and thank you for protecting Washington’s farms, gardens, and environment from potentially harmful plants and pests. 

7/27/2020 - This blog was updated to add the sections on burning and grinding seeds. 

7/29/2020 - This blog was updated to reflect new instructions from USDA for residents on what to do with the seeds. 

Additional rules to contain deadly rabbit disease

Chris McGann
Communications

Good biosecurity practices will reduce risks to your
 fuzzy friends and help control the spread of disease.  

January 6, 2020 UPDATE: Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) continues to spread in northwest Washington. Three dead rabbits kept at a property in Clallam County tested positive for the disease last week.  

Washington State Veterinarian Brian Joseph said he expects the areas affected by the disease to continue to expand because it can be spread easily by a wide variety of means including small rodents, birds and larger carnivores.  

WSDA has quarantined the property where the disease was identified. WSDA is not currently expanding the general quarantine area described in the article below. We will continue to monitor the situation. Rabbit owners are urged to continue to maintain high levels of biosecurity to protect their animals.  

Original Post: 

A deadly rabbit disease that struck in the San Juan Islands this summer, but appeared to be under control, reemerged much closer to the mainland this month raising new concerns about containing the disease before is spreads further into the state.

WSDA has added Whidbey Island to a rabbit quarantine area established this summer in the San Juan Islands to contain an outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD), an extremely contagious viral disease with high infection and death rates in domestic and feral rabbits.

Although the disease could be devastating to rabbit populations, it is not a human health risk.

Tracking the outbreak

In July and August, WSDA confirmed positive diagnoses of RHD found in domestic and feral rabbits on Orcas Island and San Juan Island. A die off consistent with the disease was also reported on Lopez Island in the following weeks. The department issued an emergency rule in these areas in September, restricting the movement of rabbits, rabbit products, rabbit equipment and crates to prevent the spread of RHD.

WDSA expanded the quarantine to Whidbey Island after a dead feral rabbit found there tested positive for RHD on November 7. There have been two additional reports of dead feral rabbits, and there are reports of no rabbits in places they had been seen frequently, such as Ft Casey.  The department stopped movement of rabbits in or out of the area to contain the disease before it spreads further onto the mainland and becomes endemic in Washington.

Impact

Rabbit breeders, people who own rabbits as companion animals, 4-H participants, and those who raise rabbits for consumption face substantial losses if the spread of RHD goes unchecked. The state veterinarian will investigate and test all domestic rabbit mortalities and will test feral rabbits in new geographic regions where RHD has not been diagnosed.

The RHD virus is easily spread through numerous means, including direct contact with infected live or dead rabbits and/or contact with contaminated equipment, tools, hutches, and bedding.

Biosecurity is the best defense 

In the U.S., RHD is considered a foreign animal disease; only rare, sporadic, and isolated cases have previously been reported in the U.S. This year’s outbreak in the San Juan Islands appeared to have been contained and run its course since no new cases had been confirmed since August.

The Whidbey Island case reinforces the fact that the virus can survive in the environment for several months. Maintaining biosecurity measures is critical in our effort to stop the spread of this disease.

Essential steps include:

• Keep a closed rabbitry
• Exclude wild and feral rabbits and predators from rabbitry
• Wash hands between handling rabbits in different pens or cages
• Clean and disinfect equipment, tools, footwear, feed and water containers, cages, etc.
• Control flies and biting insects
• Remove brush, grass, weeds, trash, and debris from rabbitry
• Protect feed from contamination by flies, birds, rodents, etc.
• Do not feed grass or other forage that could be contaminated with the virus
• Do not use forage, branches, etc. for bedding
• House rabbits indoors if possible
• Do not share equipment with others who raise rabbits
• Remove and bury or dispose of dead rabbits promptly
• Submit carcasses for examination and sampling promptly
• Contact a veterinarian promptly if sick or dead rabbits are observed
• Do not transport rabbits into or out of RHD quarantine areas
• Quarantine new rabbits or those returning from shows for one month

Vaccines

Vaccines for RHD exist but are costly and, because RHD is considered a foreign animal disease, the vaccines are only available in the U.S. through private veterinarians who have USDA authorization.
Rabbit owners interested in vaccinating their rabbits should contact their veterinarian.

For more information about RHD, check out WSDA’s Animal Health webpage that include links to the quarantine, a fact sheet and articles about the disease. You can also contact a WSDA veterinarian by e-mail.

First case of equine West Nile virus for 2019 diagnosed

Chris McGann
Communications

Vaccinating horses against West Nile virus is the best way to
protect them from the disease. 

A quarter horse in Klickitat County tested positive for West Nile virus this week in what has been a light year for the disease. It is Washington’s first reported case this year.

The two-year-old gelding, had not been vaccinated for the disease.

The horse was treated for what appeared to be colic but its condition worsened quickly, becoming ataxic or unable to control its muscles the following day.

The horse’s condition is improving and the referring veterinarian has guarded optimism for its recovery.

Vaccinate your horse

Washington State Veterinarian Dr. Brian Joseph said the disease is not always fatal to the infected horse, but most cases that do prove deadly occur in unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated animals.

“This is a good reminder for horse owners to protect their animals by vaccinating for this preventable disease,” Joseph said.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 493 equine cases of West Nile virus from 42 states were reported in 2018.

Last year, two horses were diagnosed with West Nile virus statewide, but some years have seen much higher numbers of infected horses. In 2015, 36 cases were reported in Washington, with several horses dying or being euthanized as a result of the disease.

West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds and while it can sicken people, horses, birds and other animals, it does not directly spread from horses to people or other animals.

Watch for symptoms

West Nile virus is prevalent across the country, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for signs of infection in horses. Closely observe your horse and look for signs, which include:

• Fever of 102.5 degrees F or higher
• Discharge from eyes or nose
• Limb edema or swelling
• Spontaneous abortions
• Neurologic signs such as an unsteady gait, weakness, urine dribbling, lack of tail tone and recumbency.

Veterinarians who diagnose potential West Nile virus cases should contact the State Veterinarian’s Office at (360) 902-1878.

Visit WSDA’s West Nile virus webpage or the state Department of Health for more information.

Keeping African Swine Fever out of the United States

Chris McGann
Communications

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) took to the internet with a nationwide call to arms against a looming threat to the U.S. pork industry: African Swine Fever (ASF).

There is no cure for African Swine Fever, preventing it from infecting pigs in
the United States requires vigilance and strong biosecurity measures. 

“African Swine Fever has never been detected in the United States. However it is a very real threat,” said Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue in a video message. He said the disease is "spreading around the world right now and affects both domestic and feral pigs.”

ASF is a devastating, deadly disease that would have a significant impact on U.S. livestock producers, their communities and the economy if it were found here. There is no treatment or vaccine available for this disease. The only way to stop this disease is to depopulate all affected or exposed swine herds.

Not a health threat to humans

Along with the strong warning, Perdue emphasized that humans are not affected by ASF and it is not a threat to our food supply.

“Within the U.S. we are working with many partners including states, veterinarians, and industry organizations to raise awareness of this deadly disease and how it spreads,” Perdue said.

WSDA’s role

WSDA is joining the effort to raise awareness.

Even though our state is not thought of as a big pork producer, Washington is the home of 3,000 breeding sows on approximately 376 farms, according to NASS.

Interim Washington State Veterinarian Dr. Amber Itle said ASF is highly contagious and it’s incumbent on us to be on the lookout for it, practice effective biosecurity measures, and help prevent the disease from infecting  both commercial and feral swine populations.

“ASF is only a plane ride away,” Itle said. “We are asking for everyone’s help in preventing it from getting here to begin with.”

A global threat

The disease has been a persistent and costly problem for pork producers in other countries. Since 2007, active ASF outbreaks have been reported in multiple countries across Africa, Asia and Europe, in both domestic and wild pigs.

The ease and speed of international travel combined with the potential for this disease to cause animal suffering, economic losses, and food supply interruptions makes ASF a serious concern for both farmers and consumers.

In the video released with the announcement, Secretary Perdue said a U.S. outbreak of ASF could cripple the pork industry.

“We want everyone who comes in contact with pigs, from the large farm owners to the owners of a single teacup pig and even international travelers and petting zoo visitors, to understand how easily this disease can spread and the importance of keeping our U.S. pigs free of this disease," Perdue said.
“The U.S. pork industry supports more than half a million jobs, the majority of those in rural areas,” he said. “We know what’s at stake and we are determined to keep African Swine Fever out of the United States.”

How the virus spreads

• Direct contact with feces, urine, discharges, blood, or tissues from infected pigs
• Carrier swine and their relatives, especially wild boars, warthogs, and feral pigs
• Feeding raw, undercooked or smoked pork products to swine
• Contaminated equipment, footwear, clothing, food, vehicles, and facilities
• Fly, lice, and mosquito bites
• Soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros (a host for the ASF virus)

Signs of ASF

• Sudden death or chronic illness
• Abortion
• High fever
• Weakness
• Depression
• Poor appetite
• Red or blue-tinged skin
• Skin hemorrhages
• Diarrhea or constipation

Treatment and prevention

ASF cannot be treated. Efforts focus on containing the disease to limit the affected outbreak area, euthanizing all pigs on affected farms, and investigating the outbreak to identify the source. Prevention measures include close monitoring of animal health, effective biosecurity measures, animal movement regulation, proper feeding practices, control of wild hogs, and tick-vector control.

If you raise pigs, monitor all animals daily for signs of illness. Call your veterinarian immediately if you see unusual signs of illness such as high fevers, skin discoloration, or sudden death. Report any high mortality or morbidity event to the State Veterinarian’s Office.

Obtain a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for interstate movement of livestock. Quarantine herd additions for 30 days or keep a closed herd.  If you travel internationally, take extreme biosecurity precautions when you return.

For more information about ASF, visit WSDA’s Animal Services Division web page.

Outreach campaign to show value of nursery endorsement

Cindy Cooper
WSDA Plant Services Program

Before you plant your spring flower garden this year, consider how these plants got to your yard. Did you know they are backed up by a statewide system of pest quarantines, plant inspections and nursery licensing? This system helps sellers present the best possible plants to their customers, but also protects both consumers and the environment.

Yet, participation in the licensing program that funds these efforts have fallen off in recent years, and with it, the widespread awareness of our state’s plant protection rules and standards. Currently, there are more than 5,000 licensed nurseries in the state, a decline in compliance of 40 percent since 2008 when more than 8,500 businesses held a WSDA nursery endorsement on their business license.

WSDA would like to reverse this trend

WSDA inspector at a retail garden center

Our WSDA Plant Services Program is kicking off a year-long campaign to educate businesses and the public about nursery licensing requirements and the work of our inspectors. Their efforts benefit plant-oriented businesses, protect consumers and Washington’s native environment, while reducing the risk of insects and plant diseases moving around the state by accident.

Many of our inspectors have worked for nurseries in the past and all receive training from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. They offer tips on how to comply with state and federal plant quarantines, make sure plants for sale are healthy, and share best management practices with growers.

Our staff plays a vital role in facilitating trade by providing inspections of plants, logs, hay and grain being exported to foreign countries.

Licensing is the link to education, awareness

It all starts with licensing nursery and landscape firms so we can communicate important information to these businesses and schedule necessary inspections. It is possible that some nurseries and landscapers operating without a license may not be aware they need one.

Businesses that sell more than $100 worth of plants in a year are required to have a nursery endorsement on their master business license from the Department of Revenue's Business Licensing Service. That means garden centers, landscapers, grocery stores that sell plants, home improvement stores, pet stores that stock aquatic plants, and farmers market vendors need a nursery endorsement.

Fees for a  nursery endorsement are based on gross annual sales of plants and whether you sell more retail or wholesale. The cost of the nursery endorsement ranges from $63 a year up to $273 a year. The fees support the program of inspections and education, but they also support important research that benefits the state’s nurseries and landscapers.

There are exemptions for non-profit plant sales and school programs.

Check your inbox

Starting this month, WSDA Plant Services will be ramping up awareness of licensing requirements and benefits, through emails, postings on social media, speaking at nursery industry meetings, publishing articles and even snail mail.

Our goal is to continue supporting our state’s nursery industry while improving compliance with our licensing requirements.

So if you’re in the business of plants, keep an eye on your inbox. Email us at cspink@agr.wa.gov if you have questions.