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
