Palms from Florida

Matt- read the first paragraph on page 3-9 of this manual. It states that plant movement between the mainland and US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico is restricted. The last sentence states that plant movement between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands is not restricted in either direction.

Also, here is the body of the 2014 email from our export specialist.

Good afternoon.

I was recently able to obtain updated information regarding the exportation of nursery stock to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In general, any nursery stock being shipped into the U.S. Virgin Islands requires a STATE phytosanitary certificate. There are no specific additional declarations except those which may be included on any import permit which accompanies the application from the shipper.

They should include IFA certification and this could be included as an Additional Declaration as needed.

Importers in the U.S.V.I. are required to check with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture to obtain an import permit. Please the attachments. It is recommended that you inquire as to whether or not the exporter has received an import permit from the importer prior to issuing the phyto. Shipments are likely to be held up without an import permit.

I have attached five documents for your reference.

• Title 12, Virgin Islands Code; Copy of the Endangered and indigenous Species Act of 1990

• Information Sheet from the Government of the US Virgin Islands

• Permit Request Form

• Indigenous Species Permit Application Form

• Example of the Non-Indigenous Species Permit

Richard Blaney

Environmental Specialist 1

Division of Plant Industry

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

(239) 332-6912

Cell- (239) 633-3776

2744 Edison Avenue

Fort Myers, Florida 33916

Please note that Florida has a broad public records law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes).

Most written communications to or from state employees are public records obtainable

by the public upon request. Emails sent to me at this email address may be considered

public and will only be withheld from disclosure if deemed confidential pursuant to the

laws of the State of Florida.

Hello,

I have attached the information on export to US Virgin Islands from our Ag agent. If we can find a working number for the Ag agent on the Island we would be happy to offer any assistance in getting the import permits.

Have a good afternoon,

Matt

what can we do to get this order moving..
please advise
thank you

Richard Kahn
HBRK Associates Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
tel 212-971-1306
fax 212-320-0381
cell 917-414-7584

Greetings Rich,

LSJE, LLC is going to need a permit to bring in these palms. DPNR will need to sign off on the permit - the Commissioner, and the Director of Fish and Wildlife.

Matt will need to provide the Genus and Species of his palms.

Chris will need to provide the purpose of the permit, retention location, holding facility conditions.

do we qualify as an importer if palms are for a residence rather than a business?

Richard Kahn
HBRK Associates Inc.

Greetings Rich,

LSJE, LLC is purchasing the palms directly from Palmco. Palmco is the exporter, LSJE, LLC is the importer.

I really do not understand all of the parameters. Someone will need to approach the Department of Agriculture to ask the questions. From what I have read in the documents forwarded by Matt, and what Chris suspects, there are restrictions for bringing in certain non-native plants and animals. The first question is are these palms non-native. Matt needs to provide the Genus and species so the question can be asked. If they are, the trees will need to be quarantined in an approved holding facility. Chris will need to advise if he can create such a location on the island that will satisfy the government's requirements.

May be to problematic...

Richard Kahn
HBRK Associates Inc.
575 Lexington Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Phone 212-971-1306
Fax 646-350-0954
Cell 917-414-7584