Citrus Growers Forum

tidusid · Posted: Mon 07 Mar, 2011 4:41 pm

Alright thanks. I will do that. I feel like an idiot.

Millet · Posted: Mon 07 Mar, 2011 7:39 pm

Here is the USDA regulation on the importation of small lots of seed into the USA. - Millet (679-)

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_imports/smalllots_seed.shtml

harveyc · Posted: Mon 07 Mar, 2011 8:10 pm

Millet wrote:

Here is the USDA regulation on the importation of small lots of seed into the USA. - Millet (679-)

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_imports/smalllots_seed.shtml

Citrus are excluded, being in the Rutaceae family:

Quote:

A taxon is eligible for the small lots of seed program if the relevant manual entries exclude seeds (check entries at both the genus and species levels and note family-level listings for Cactaceae, Cycadaceae and Rutaceae).

I obtained an import permit on other things recently and had requested Casamiroa but was denied on that species because they are also in the Rutaceae family. Unfortunate since I don't know of any diseases affecting this species.

Edit: Looks like some species might be permitted from some countries (see page 422 at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/nursery_stock.pdf) but I couldn't find anything at 7CFR 319.19 or any other source clarifying that. Not worth the trouble, IMO, and certainly not legal without getting at least a small lot seed permit.

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Harvey

tidusid · Posted: Mon 07 Mar, 2011 9:58 pm

So did I lose my 20 dollars telling the seller not to ship them to me when I didn't really need to?

Mark_T · Posted: Mon 07 Mar, 2011 11:04 pm

tidusid wrote:

So did I lose my 20 dollars telling the seller not to ship them to me when I didn't really need to?

No, you live in Texas. I assure you the USDA will track those seeds down. You don't want them. That is my opinion.

harveyc · Posted: Mon 07 Mar, 2011 11:05 pm

tidusid wrote:

So did I lose my 20 dollars telling the seller not to ship them to me when I didn't really need to?

I haven't found the specific restrictions for citrus seeds but, even if they were permitted, it would be illegal for you to import them without a small lot permit and you could very well expect a visit from the USDA. The guy in Florida was almost terrorized by the visit although I suggested he should have exercised his 5th and 4th Amendment rights.

I would have asked for the seller to refund your payment since they are technically breaking the law by shipping to you without a permit (though it's been done often in the past).

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Harvey

Mark_T · Posted: Mon 07 Mar, 2011 11:26 pm

From what I understand, the red flag for this is going to come from the seeds orgin. Anything coming from Asia related to citrus will be flagged. Citrus Greening being the primary concern here. The other factor is the state. Texas is a citrus state, so this makes action even more likely in this case, perhaps by the Texas Department of Agriculture as well as the USDA. The point being, it's not worth it. Imagine being the sap that destroys the US Citrus industry because of a small eBay purchase. It's not worth the risk. The industry has their hands full keeping this stuff at bay.

dauben · Posted: Tue 08 Mar, 2011 12:01 am

I got a small lots seed permit a few years ago to import sour orange seeds from Belize. To my recollection the only problems I had were I checked the wrong box on my application (seems like they didn't have the right box on the form that I needed to check) and someone called me from USDA asking if I was a commercial grower.

My other problem is the guy from Belize never sent them until I hounded him for 3 months. He refunded me my money and I then got the moldy seeds a few weeks later.

Phillip

Millet · Posted: Tue 08 Mar, 2011 2:18 am

"See page 42"...................If the USDA could possibly find a way to make their regulations any more difficult to understand, or if they could possibly find a way to lengthen the number of pages required to write a regulation they certainly would. I guess the USDA has never heard of the "Reduction In Paper Work Act" - Millet (679-)

GT · Posted: Tue 08 Mar, 2011 2:51 am

Tidusid,

Frankly, I think it does not worth the risk of introducing greening or something else to TX besides a chance to get in troubles...

Also, I thought you might be interested... Central market in Houston has the fruits for 3.99 a pound. I just ate one and the taste was VERY good. We compared it with Gold Nugget and Sumo was of much reacher flavor. Not a single seed so far. I would definitely like to grow it. Smile

harveyc · Posted: Tue 08 Mar, 2011 3:10 am

GT, funny you compared it to Gold Nugget. My friend told me over the weekend that up to now his favorite citrus was probably a late season Gold Nugget.

The closest Whole Foods is over an hour from here so I've yet to find any to try.

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Harvey

harveyc · Posted: Tue 08 Mar, 2011 3:11 am

Millet wrote:

"See page 42"...................If the USDA could possibly find a way to make their regulations any more difficult to understand, or if they could possibly find a way to lengthen the number of pages required to write a regulation they certainly would. I guess the USDA has never heard of the "Reduction In Paper Work Act" - Millet (679-)

Filling out an import permit online convinced me that the USDA folks are really messed up. That was the most frustrating online form I've ever filled out.

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Harvey

tidusid · Posted: Tue 08 Mar, 2011 9:04 am

GT wrote:

Tidusid,

Frankly, I think it does not worth the risk of introducing greening or something else to TX besides a chance to get in troubles...

Also, I thought you might be interested... Central market in Houston has the fruits for 3.99 a pound. I just ate one and the taste was VERY good. We compared it with Gold Nugget and Sumo was of much reacher flavor. Not a single seed so far. I would definitely like to grow it. Smile

Oh really? Awesome. I will have to try to go there friday. Where is it exactly?

Also everyone rest easy, I contacted the seller and told them I do not want them, refund or not.

dauben · Posted: Tue 08 Mar, 2011 12:42 pm

harveyc wrote:

GT, funny you compared it to Gold Nugget. My friend told me over the weekend that up to now his favorite citrus was probably a late season Gold Nugget.

I recently topworked three of my trees into a Gold Nugget since my one tree on trifoliate just wasn't keeping up with my kids demand.

Phillip

harveyc · Posted: Wed 09 Mar, 2011 12:15 am

I was told by CCPP today that they hope to have budwood available at the end of 2012 Very Happy

That's predicated upon the new importation being cleared from quarantine, etc. so keep your fingers crossed!

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Harvey