APHIS Seeks Comment on Draft Pest Risk Assessment for the Importation of Propagative Plants of Dracaena spp. from Costa Rica

The government of Costa Rica has asked USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to authorize the importation of Dracaena spp. plants in growing media for propagation into the Continental United States. APHIS has drafted a pest risk assessment that lists potential pests likely to remain on the commodity upon importation if no mitigations are applied.

APHIS shares draft pest risk assessments to determine whether stakeholders have information that might lead us to revise the draft assessments before we identify pest mitigations and proceed with the commodity import approval process.

The draft pest risk assessments for Dracaena spp. plants in growing media for propagation from Costa Rica will be available for review and comment for 30 days. To view the assessment or submit comments, go to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/commodity-import-approval-process/stakeholder-consultation