www.invasivespeeies.org.Newlnitiatives.html) provides a guide for trading partners and alerts them to pests of quarantine concern in the U.S. APHIS activities include an inspection at ports-of-entry, surveys of exotic pests, methods of risk mitigation and eradication programs. APHIS also oversees a post-entry program for vegetatively propagated materials entering the U.S. and a pie-clearance program from specific countries that allows products to enter without additional inspection following importation. The Pest List currently includes seventy viruses but only six of them infect ornamentals. Included are Arabis mosaic virus, Elm mottle virus, Raspberry ringspot virus, Tobacco ring.spot virus (Andean potato calico strain). Tomato b/ackring virus, and Colombian datura virus. During the last two years Raspberry ringspot virus, Tomato blackring virus, and Arabis mosaic virus were detected in samples sent to Agdia, Inc., (http://www.agdia.com). There are 93 genera and families of plants in the prohibited quarantine category in the U.S. regulations. Most are propagated vegetatively. There are very few restrictions on import of seeds. Prohibitions may apply to certain countries or to all countries depending on the risk assessment (United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Title 7-Code of Federal Regulations-Part 319). Only four genera of cut flowers, including Rhododendron and azaleas, Camellia, Gardenia, Rosa and Svringu vu/guns are required to have written permits issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the USDA for entry into the U.S. Importers must also obtain phytosanitary certificates from the exporting country. The prohibited category includes many genera of nursery stock, plants, roots, bulbs and other plant products. Prohibited does not mean that all the materials classified as prohibited are restricted from entering the country (USDA Title 7-Code of Federal Regulations-Part 3 19). Prohibition is a function of both host and country of origin. Some articles that are intended for propagation may be in a restricted category that allows entry when specific requirements are fullfilled. For example. Chrysanthemum vegetative material can enter the country with a phytosanitary certificate from the nation of origin and a declaration that the greenhouse where the plants were grown was free of white rust based on visual inspection monthly for a period of four months prior to shipment. Imported Dianthus from Great Britian must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate and an additional declaration verifying that the propagated material was grown in a greenhouse free of Carnation etched ring virus, Carnation "streak' virus and Carnation "fleck" virus. In addition to the requirements imposed on the exporter, the importer may have to grow designated restricted articles in post-entry quarantine. Imported Chrysanthemum. Crocosmia, Dianthus, Gladiolus, Hibiscus, Hydrangea, Jasminum, Rosa, Syringa and Watsonia must all be grown in a protected environment that meets State regulations and must be perio...