Hi, Peter! Although it's been many years since I worked in the field, I have a degree in microbiology and was a medical technologist for many years. I don't know what the USDA's exact reasoning is but Pseudomonas is ubiquitous in nature and can be a plant pathogen. The biggest problem is it is rather resistant to most common antibiotics. A possible reason for the USDA's stance is that Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the fourth most commonly isoloated pathogen found in hospital acquired infections.
Sharon On 12 Jun 2006 at 22:44, Peter Lin wrote: > > I'm writing to seek information from US growers whoimport orchids from > oversea.Specifically, I > am looking for cases where USDA identified pseudomonas sp. as pest - with id > number 07269 in > a box of orchids, and offer two options - re-exportation or destruction. > A quick search of Internet tells me that bacteria pseudomonas is commonly > detected. I found a > published USDA article on Risk Analysis of the Importation of Moth Orchid > where none of the 4 > listed bacteria, including Pseudomonas cattleyae, are clearly indicated not > being quarantined > pests. > > The explanation given to me is that USDA would rather error in this case > because there are > different strain/species of pseudomonas. > > Do I have the right to request specific proof of specific pseudomonas ? Is > this within USDA > guideline? > > Although it is easier to just return the box of orchids to the sender, it is > not a comfort to know that > any future shipment could suffer the same fate. It is my experience that > orchid plants in stress- > as in the case of bare root - sprayed with insecticide - placed in a box > subject to unfavorable > temperature, there is a good chance that a few plants will succumb to the > attack of > pseudomonas. > > Thank you, > Peter Lin > > > Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
