Border patrol alerts to the risk of importing flowers for Mother’s Day
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol issues a warning about the risks of importing flowers for Mother’s Day gifts, especially those from Mexico. Mother’s Day is a prime time for flower sales in the U.S., with Americans spending over $3 billion last year. The agency emphasizes the threat posed to agriculture and the environment by imported flowers carrying pests and diseases. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol cautions against importing flowers for Mother’s Day gifts, particularly those originating from Mexico. Mother’s Day marks a peak period for flower sales in the U.S., with a staggering expenditure of over $3 billion reported last year. The agency highlights the potential risks to agriculture and the environment due to imported flowers harboring pests and diseases.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol wants to remind people of the restrictions and dangers associated with importing flowers to give as gifts for Mother’s Day. This includes “certain commodities imported from Mexico.”
Mother’s Day is one of the busiest weekends of the year in the United States for flower sales and deliveries. Last year, it was estimated that Americans spent more than $3 billion on flowers for Mother’s Day. This included flowers imported into the country, which can pose a threat to the nation’s “agriculture and environment,” according to CBP.
“Mother’s Day is one of the busiest times of year for flower imports, which can carry pests and diseases that threaten U.S. agriculture and the environment,” read a press release from CBP. “Certain flowers, greenery, potted plants, and soil are prohibited to prevent the introduction of plant diseases, invasive insects, and parasitic nematodes.”
According to the CBP, the potential for the introduction of invasive pests and plant diseases that are unknowingly transported within flowers imported from another country is of particular concern. This is particularly problematic because it can negatively affect the ecosystem and cause significant damage to habitats throughout the country.
The press release reads, “By their destructiveness, invasive plant diseases, and pests reduce the quality of ornamental plants and crops and cost millions in eradication efforts and export trade restrictions.”
One of the plants that CBP mentioned was Chrysanthemums, a “common cut flower” from Mexico. These are some of the most popular flowers given for Mother’s Day. The CBP warned that these plants are banned from being brought into the country through passenger ports of entry. A fungus known as “Chrysanthemum White Rust” is prevalent in such flowers, and it can result in a floral disease that is devastating to crops and could “put flower growers in jeopardy.”
CBP also warned of different kinds of greenery used to fill bouquets and enhance the aesthetic appeal of floral arrangements. These can also have pests and diseases, CBP claimed. “Orange jasmine,” or Murraya, is a popular choice for greenery in bouquets that could be problematic if illegally imported.
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“Murraya is a host for Asian citrus psyllid; a dangerous pest found in citrus,” CBP stated. “If any portion of a bouquet has pests, the entire bouquet will be confiscated upon entry into the United States.”
For any citizens who have left the country and want to return with flowers they purchased while traveling, CBP strongly advises consulting its website to learn of the specific restrictions on importing “flowers, plant materials, and other agricultural items.”
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