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the introduction of exotic pests. We suggest that APHIS, in cooperation with other 

 governmental agencies and the private sector, define the different categories of raw 

 wood products and correspondingly develop new inspection procedures and quaran- 

 tine protocols for each individual category. 



New APHIS regulations regarding raw wood importation should be uniformly ap- 

 plied to imported materials regardless of the country of origin, with the possible ex- 

 ception of Canada. It is conceivable that infested raw wood materiab could be shipped 

 to a country and infest that country's forests, and that the newly infested forests could 

 be in turn harvested and the infested materials shipped to the United States. Indeed, 

 many of the pests now of concern on New Zealand logs are exotic to that island 

 nation. Alternately, any country exempted from phytosanitary restrictions has the 

 potential to become a laundry" for raw wood materials entering the United States 

 indirectly or under false pretenses as in some New Zealand importations. As indicated, 

 the exemption of Canada from new APHIS regulations could be a possibility. Canadian 

 importation regulations are stringent and our forests are contiguous, complicating 

 efforts to prevent cross-border infection. (However, regional quarantines applying to 

 infested species in either or both countries are appropriate.) 



After considering expert advice, APHIS should draft a set of procedures and, in compli- 

 ance with standard regulatory procedures, publish it for public review. All interested par- 

 lies should be given an opportunity to submit comments on specific provisions as well as 

 general issues and any conflicts among viewpoints should be resolved in the public forum. 



Stringent regulation of raw wood imports may not be sufficient. At least seven pests of 

 native tree species discussed in this paper were introduced on nursery stock, and two 

 other pests were dispersed within North America on such material. APHIS has exist- 

 ing authority in this area and may need to review regulations regarding importatic 

 of all woody plants. 



Management of Current Exotic Pests 



Under the broad wording of the Federal Plant Pest Act and the Organic Act, APHIS 

 has the primary responsibility to ensure that imported plant and animal species do 

 not contain pests "which can direcUy or indirectly injiu-e or cause disease or danuge 

 in any plants or parts thereor and to detect, eradicate, control, or retard the spread of 

 plant pests. Within the United States, however, APHIS has largely ceded this authority 

 for forest pests to the Forest Service. APHIS lacks adequate funds to participate in 

 eradication or conu-ol measures of all exotic pests. The agency currently spends about 

 $2.25 million on tree pests, 70 percent of it to prevent csublishment of the Asian 

 gypsy moth (McGovern. personal communication). 



The Forest Service may conduct research and experiments to obtain, analyze, develop, 

 demonstrate, and disseminate scientific information about protecting and managing 

 forests for a multitude of purposes, under the auspices of the Forest and Rangeland 

 Renewable Resources Research AcL Forest protection specifically includes addressing 

 insect and disease problems, i . second statute, the Cooperative Forestry Assisunce 

 Act, authorizes the Forest Service to protect fixjm insects and diseases trees and wood 

 products in use on National Forests or, in cooperauon with others, on other lands in 

 the United States. Such assistance may include surveys and determination and org^i- 

 zation of control methods. The Forest Service is fiirther authorized to provide assistance 

 to state foresters to develop and distribute genetically improved tree seeds and to ir, 

 prove management techniques aimed at increasing production of a variety of forest 

 products, including wildlife habitat and water. 



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