Isle growers
challenging
orchid imports
HILO >> Hawaii orchid growers are challenging a new federal rule that allows potted orchids from Taiwan to be imported into the United States.
The 151-member Hawaii Orchid Growers Association filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture on June 4, the same day the federal rule known as Q-37 took effect.
Orchid growers say the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is overlooking the fact that potted plants imported from Taiwan could carry pests and diseases that cannot be controlled by chemicals currently registered with the U.S. government.
The orchid growers claim that the rule change helps the Taiwanese government in its goal of cornering the world orchid market.
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