#Phytosanitary

[botanical-journal]

Phytosanitary Sciences

In the field of plant health, there are several specialized sub-disciplines that focus on different aspects of plant well-being. Each of these areas has a specific focus and employs distinct techniques and knowledge to address issues related to plant diseases, pests, and other conditions affecting plants. Here are some of the key sub-disciplines:

Phytopathology

Definition: Phytopathology is the study of plant diseases caused by pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. Focus: Identification and characterization of pathogens, mechanisms of infection, disease epidemiology, and control strategies. Activities: Disease diagnosis, development of control methods (chemical, biological, and cultural), and development of resistant plant varieties.

Nematology

Definition: Nematology is the study of nematodes, small cylindrical worms that can parasitize plants and cause significant damage. Focus: Identification of nematode species, effects on plants, and development of control methods. Activities: Diagnosis of infestations, control of nematodes through physical, chemical, and biological methods, and research on plant resistance.

Agricultural Entomology

Definition: Agricultural entomology is the study of insects that affect plants, both as pests and in their interactions with crops. Focus: Identification of insect pests, their biology and behavior, and development of control methods. Activities: Monitoring insect populations, integrated pest management (IPM), and development of sustainable management strategies.

Plant Virology

Definition: Plant virology is the study of viruses that infect plants. Focus: Identification and characterization of viruses, their life cycles, and infection mechanisms. Activities: Diagnosis of viral infections, development of vaccines and control methods, and research on viral resistance.

Plant Bacteriology

Definition: Plant bacteriology is the study of bacteria that cause diseases in plants. Focus: Identification of pathogenic bacteria, understanding infection mechanisms, and development of control strategies. Activities: Diagnosis of bacterial diseases, chemical and biological control, and development of management practices.

Agricultural Mycology

Definition: Agricultural mycology is the study of fungi that affect plants. Focus: Identification and characterization of pathogenic fungi, infection mechanisms, and control. Activities: Diagnosis of fungal diseases, development of fungicides and cultural practices for control, and research on resistance to fungi

Phytosociology

Definition: Phytosociology studies the structure and dynamics of plant communities in relation to environmental conditions and biotic factors. Focus: Analysis of interactions between different plant species and their environments. Activities: Study of plant community diversity and composition, and their responses to environmental changes and management

Agroecology

Definition: Agroecology applies ecological principles to agriculture to promote sustainable farming systems. Focus: Integration of agricultural practices with environmental conservation and promoting sustainability. Activities: Development of sustainable management techniques and study of interactions between agricultural systems and the environment.

Plant Genetics and Breeding

Definition: Plant breeding involves selecting and creating plant varieties with desirable traits, such as disease and pest resistance. Focus: Development of cultivars with genetic resistance to pathogens and pests. Activities: Research and development of new varieties, and application of biotechnological techniques to improve plant resistance.

These areas are interdependent and often overlap, with many collaborating to address complex issues related to plant health and sustainable agricultural production.

[export-development-board]

Phytosanitary Requirements for Imported Fresh Pineapple from Sri Lanka to China Read More 👉 https://bit.ly/3UJiRRd

[planthealthday]

Protecting plant health across borders.

Each year, over 240 million containers move between countries, carrying goods including plant products, posing biosecurity risks. In addition, about 80 percent of international trade consignments include wood packaging material, providing a pathway for pest transmission. As a result, damages from invasive pest species incur global economic losses of approximately USD 220 billion annually. Protecting plant health across borders is essential by promoting global collaboration and international standards, such as the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). Innovative solutions like electronic phytosanitary certification (ePhyto) streamline the process, making trade quicker and more secure. 

[abadylawfirm]

In summary, compliance with phytosanitary certification requirements is critical for importers of plants and plant products into the United States. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to serious consequences, including penalties, fines, and even criminal charges. Importers should be aware of the specific requirements for their plants and take all necessary measures to ensure compliance.

[neverfeltthewinterquitesodead]

im still dumbfounded by this. im about to come up with some sort of scheme about it.

>looking up rare/endangered native plants from my new england county

>search for one specific aster

>only websites selling it are british and only ship to europe

[arinzechukwuture]

Burkina Faso's 36-year-old President Ibrahim Traore hands over 400 tractors, 239 motorcycles and 710 motor pumps to agricultural investors to boost production.

He has also provided 714 motorcycles to farmers.

His government will support producers with 10,000 tonnes of fish food, 68,964 tonnes of fertilizer, 10,000 litres of phytosanitary products, 18,000 tonnes of vegetable seeds, 2,300 tonnes of feed seeds and 10,000 tonnes of concentrated foods.

Thomas Sankara’s legacy lives on ✊

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazil gains access to China for its table grapes

Registered exporters mainly in Pernambuco and Bahia will have opportunity to supply market under new agreed protocol

Brazilian table grapes have been granted access to China, after the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) agreed on a new protocol with Chinese customs officials.

The agreement was finalised during a bilateral meeting between the countries’ presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Xi Jinping at a meeting in Brasília.

It outlines the phytosanitary and sanitary requirements for exporting Brazilian grapes to China.

According to Mapa, Brazil has also seen “exponential growth” in fresh grape exports.

Continue reading.

[head-post]

Brexit cost UK £27bn of trade losses in its first two years

Despite the decline in trade volumes, London School of Economics (LSE) research shows that the overall effect has been more limited than originally predicted by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The damage from Brexit to trade links with the EU totalled £27bn for the UK in the first two years, but the overall effect was more limited than analysts originally predicted, according to the most comprehensive review of the issue since Britain’s full exit from the bloc in early 2021.

Researchers from the London School of Economics found that trade barriers have been a “disaster” for small businesses and have forced thousands of companies to stop trading with EU countries.

Academics from the Centre for Economic Performance looked at evidence from more than 100,000 companies and found that by the end of 2022, two years after signing the Joint Trade and Co-operation Agreement (JTA) with Brussels, total exports of UK goods had fallen by 6.4 per cent and imports by 3.1 per cent.

The OBR estimate predicts that in the long term the UK will face a 15 per cent fall in trade, leading to a 4 per cent drop in national income. Despite this, researchers at the Centre for Economic Performance said the UK could experience a fall of the magnitude predicted by the OBR if trade relations with its largest trading partner deteriorate further.

Thomas Sampson, one of the report’s authors, said that by the end of 2022, the JTA had reduced trade in goods by less than half of what the OBR had predicted. However, the OBR figures are long-term projections and only the first two years of the JTA were studied. Further reductions in trade would be required to match OBR’s projections.

Rachel Reeves is likely to welcome the findings, which show the resilience of the economy in the face of a major trade shock. However, it will also create pressure on the finance minister to support efforts to reduce trade barriers over the next few years to prevent the situation from getting worse.

The UK plans to start negotiations next year on the next phase of the JTA. Ministers are expected to resist demands to open up agricultural markets to competition from EU farmers and fishing vessels in return for greater market access for British goods in the bloc.

Trade continued at the same level

The study’s authors noted that in the first two years of the JTA, large companies largely continued to trade with their EU counterparts at the same level. However, smaller exporters, those companies with fewer than 100 employees, suffered significantly. More than 14,000 of the 100,000 companies studied stopped trading with the EU completely, and almost all of them were small businesses.

Imports showed resilience compared to exports as large companies found ways to buy components and raw materials from outside the EU. Thomas Sampson also emphasised that the JTA was a disaster for small exporters, many of whom simply stopped exporting to the EU. However, large companies have adapted well to the new trade barriers and consequently overall exports have so far fallen less than expected.

The study was the first to analyse the impact of Brexit on trade using customs data collected by HMRC. The researchers said the data allowed them to look at individual business relationships and “highlight how large companies adapted better to the new trade regime than SMEs.”

The JTA did not include tariffs, but did introduce barriers to trade such as customs checks and paperwork, origin requirements, excise duties, sanitary and phytosanitary checks on the movement of animals and plants, and the need for exporters to prove that products meet the requirements of the target market. However, many of these checks have been repeatedly postponed and further measures are still due to come into force next year.

The study only looked at trade in goods and did not cover imports and exports of services, which largely fall outside the single market and customs union. Kalina Manova, co-author of the study and professor of economics at UCL, said the long-term productivity of firms will depend on their ability to maintain supply networks and diversify export demand in the face of higher and uncertain non-tariff barriers to trade with the EU.

The report shows that the UK’s exit from the EU’s single market and customs union in early 2021 resulted in an immediate decline in exports and imports with the EU. However, it also shows that companies responded to this shock in a way that mitigated the fall in overall trade.

Large companies did not experience a decline in exports, while importers partly compensated for the decline in imports from the EU by purchasing from other countries. Thus, at least in the short term, aggregate trade proved moderately resilient to the disintegration.

Read more HERE

[mariacallous]

Sometimes the most obvious questions are the best. In the case of the Conservatives, the most obvious question is so glaring that one wonders why Tory politicians don’t ask it ten-times a day before breakfast: why don’t they move to the centre?

The opinion polls are predicting a Tory rout on the scale of 1906, 1945 or 1997.

Surely in the interests of preserving the Conservatives as a fighting force the party must compromise to limit its losses to Labour. Here are a couple of compromises that occur to me. They make perfect political sense until you realise that conservatism has been so radicalised that compromise now feels like treason.

First, health. When we remember the suffering of the early 2020s, we will remember covid, of course.

But we will also remember the millions on NHS waiting lists, the elderly left for hours until ambulances arrive, the cancelled operations, the sick who would work if they could be treated but cannot find a doctor, the explosion in mental illness, the needlessly prolonged pain, the needlessly early deaths.

The Conservatives ought to be doing everything they can to improve the health service before polling day – out of a reptile-brain survival instinct if nothing else.

They will not do it because in British conservatism’s ever-diminishing circles health is not a concern.

The dominant Conservative factions want a right-wing policy offer of tax cuts and immigration controls. Not one of the party’s leaders has discussed how the increase in life expectancy means the demands on the NHS of an ever-larger pensioner population make tax cuts unaffordable. Nor have I heard honest discussion of how the need for foreign health and care workers to fill the gaps in provision makes immigration essential.

Rather than face up to the impossibility of Thatcherite economics in the 21st century they prefer to change the conversation and look the other way.

Let me offer a second example, which I think Brits will soon be obsessing about.

After years of delays Brexit Britain is finally imposing border checks on food imports from the European Union.  Wholesalers and retailers predict that bureaucratic costs and the need for veterinary and phytosanitary checks will lead to continental producers deciding to sell their goods elsewhere. Price rises and food shortages will follow.

What kind of government in an election year, of all years, wants empty shelves?

A Conservative kind of government appears to be the answer. The sensible move would be for the Conservatives to follow Labour’s policy of striking a deal to stick to EU standards and ease bureaucracy at the border.  That would mean the UK following European food regulations, as EU ambassadors have made clear.

But compared to dear food and empty shops, who the hell cares about that?

Tories care. Brexit is their King Charles head, their reason for being, their obsession.

David Frost, who negotiated the UK’s disastrous exit agreement with the EU, wrote an unintentionally revealing paragraph last week which encapsulated the ideological capture of British Conservatism.

“The Conservative Party owns Brexit. Whether ministers like it or not, or maybe even wish it hadn’t happened, it’s the central policy of the Party and the government. They must be prepared to defend and explain it – to show why it’s so important that Britain is a proper democracy once again. For if voters come to believe Brexit is failing, then the Conservative Party will inevitably fail too.”

There you have it. Brexit is the Conservative party and vice versa.

What a distance we have come! In 2016, a mere eight years ago, the Conservative party’s leader and most of its MPs supported the UK’s membership of the European Union. Eurosceptics posed as mild-mannered people. They promised that leaving the EU would not mean leaving the single market .

But then leave won the 2016 Brexit referendum and set us off on a spiral of radicalisation, which was instantly familiar to those of us who grew up on the left. 

Here is how it worked on the left in the 20th century.  You would be in a meeting where everyone agreed to a leftist policy: say that the government should encourage banks to give micro loans to poor people to keep them out of the hands of loan sharks.

Everything seems fine until an accusatory voice accuses all present of being sellouts because they do not believe in nationalising the banks,

Or today, after the great awokening, an academic department will propose reasonable measures to check that they are not unconsciously discriminating in their application process, only to be told that, if they were truly concerned with justice, they would decolonise the curriculum and purge it of “white” concepts such as truth and objectivity.

The near identical radicalisation of the right has been more serious because the right has real power.

Here is how its spiral into Tory Jacobinism went.

After winning the Brexit referendum in 2016, retaining the UK’s membership of the single market and the customs union suddenly became wholly unacceptable. They had to go.

As the ideological temperature rose, Theresa May’s attempts at compromise became sellouts, judges became enemies of the people, and the only acceptable way to leave became Frost and Johnson’s impoverishing hard Brexit.

We now have a new Tory ideology: “Brexitism.” It is a style of swaggering bravado and a bawling loud-mouthed way of doing business that goes far beyond the UK’s relations with the EU.

The catastrophic premiership of Liz Truss was “Brexitist”. She crashed the economy because she believed she was right to ignore the warnings of the Treasury, Bank of England and Office for Budget Responsibility.

What true Brexit supporter trusts experts, after all?

Brexit showed that you did not need them.  All you needed was the will to impose a radical agenda and then the world would accommodate itself to your desires.

In retrospect, 2016 plays the same role for the radical right of 21th century Britain that 1917 played for the British radical left in the 20th. The fluke communist takeover of Russia in 1917 convinced hundreds of thousands over the decades that revolution could succeed in the UK, even though communism never stood a chance in this country.

The fluke leave win of 2016 has had an equally mystifying effect. Because radical right politics succeeded in one set of circumstances, its supporters assumed they would succeed in all circumstances.

Nowhere in right-wing discourse do you hear suggestions that the Conservative defeat might be softened if the government appealed to the majority of voters. Instead, the right says that the only way to save the right is for the right to move rightwards and become more rightly right wing.

Once again, the parallels with the communist movement to people of my age scream so loudly they are deafening.

To quote the weirdest example. A few weeks ago, an anonymous group of wealthy men calling themselves the Conservative Britain Alliance spent about £40,000 on opinion polling, and gave the results to the Daily Telegraph. They showed the Conservatives were heading for a landslide defeat, as so many polls do.

But the spin put on it by the Conservative Britain Alliance’s frontman Lord Frost (again!) was that the Tories must move to the right to attract Faragist voters, not to try to stem the growth of Labour support.  

A further release from the anonymous group of wealthy men added to the impression of a right wing living in the land of make believe.

They produced findings that showed the Conservatives could win if Sunak were replaced by a hypothetical Tory leader. This imaginary figure was a political superhero who would be strong “on crime and migration” (naturally) but also had the superpower to “cut taxes and get NHS waiting lists down” at the same time.

Lower taxes and better public services all at once in a wonderful never never land.

My guess is that it will take three maybe four election defeats to batter the delusions of 2016 out of the Conservative party.

Perhaps no number of defeats will suffice, and Brexitism will be Toryism’s final delirium.

[botanical-journal]

Alternative Disease Control in Organic Agriculture

The text discusses the growing concern within society regarding the environmental impacts of agriculture, particularly related to the use of pesticides and contamination of the food chain. This concern has led to significant changes in the agricultural landscape. In recent years, market segments have begun to demand differentiated products, such as those cultivated without pesticides or those that carry certification seals ensuring sustainable practices. This societal pressure has resulted in the development of more sustainable farming systems that aim to reduce reliance on chemical products

The concept of sustainable agriculture is highlighted as promoting responsible management of natural resources, meeting the needs of present and future generations without degrading the environment. This approach shifts the priorities of traditional agricultural systems, seeking a balance between food production and environmental preservation. It encourages the use of biological processes and a reduction in the consumption of energy inputs. Alternative agricultural systems are presented as a viable option to conventional methods, focusing on natural interactions. They emphasize the management of biological relationships, such as the interactions between pests and their predators, as well as natural processes like biological nitrogen fixation, rather than relying solely on chemical products. The goal is to strengthen the essential biological interactions for agricultural production instead of simplifying them. The text also mentions one of the main challenges of sustainable agriculture: the control of diseases, pests, and invasive plants.

Many techniques used to minimize phytosanitary damage can, paradoxically, lead to environmental contamination or generate changes that compromise the sustainability of the agroecosystem, highlighting the complexity and challenges involved in transitioning to more sustainable practices.

- Alternative Products Produced or Obtained in the Brazilian Market.

Initially, before the widespread availability of pesticides, farmers used natural products sourced from their surroundings or extracted from their own land. These traditional methods, which include more natural and localized techniques, have been almost completely abandoned with the popularization of pesticides, which became the norm for pest and disease control.

Today, with the growing awareness of the negative effects of pesticides on the environment and health, society is demanding a reduction in their use. This has encouraged research into more sustainable alternatives, many of which are methods that farmers employed decades ago. The text provides examples of products and techniques that can be used as alternatives to pesticides, such as:

Raw milk - for controlling powdery mildew (a fungal disease).

Biofertilizers - to prevent plant diseases.

Salts - for controlling powdery mildew.

Soil solarization - which uses solar heat to eliminate soil pathogens.

Solar collectors - for disinfecting substrates used in seedling production.

These practices aim to recover and value agricultural methods that are less harmful to the environment, reflecting a shift toward more sustainable agriculture.

- Alternative Products: Future Adoption!

Despite the existence of environmental legislation focused on eco-development, there are still significant limitations in promoting alternative and ecologically sustainable agricultural practices. Although there are many technical and scientific contributions on methods such as biological pest control, crop rotation, use of crop residues, genetic improvement, intercropping, physical control, and the use of natural products, government support to encourage these practices remains insufficient. Initiatives are considered limited, which restricts the adoption of more sustainable approaches.

Additionally, the text mentions that the increased use of alternative techniques, including pesticides, which have been part of the modernization of Brazilian agriculture since the 1960s, depends on effective public policies that promote these more sustainable practices. In summary, the author criticizes the lack of a robust agricultural policy that genuinely encourages the transition to more sustainable agricultural practices.

The text highlights that, in many situations, farmers do not apply the true philosophy of IPM (Integrated Pest Management), which advocates for the combination of different control methods (such as biological, cultural, and physical). Research on IPM began in the 1970s in Brazil, resulting in promising discoveries. However, despite these advances, IPM is still not widely adopted by farmers. In some cases, alternative practices are used to control certain pests and diseases, but not in a consistent or integrated manner. Instead, many still opt to use various types of pesticides, which goes against the principle of an integrated and sustainable approach. This suggests a resistance or difficulty in transitioning to practices that truly integrate different management strategies.

The text explains why the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and alternative methods is limited among farmers. Three main factors are highlighted:

Cultural Practices of Farmers: Many farmers predominantly use pesticides due to their ease of use and effectiveness, combined with a lack of efficient public assistance for implementing IPM.

Training of Agricultural Technicians: The training of agricultural extension technicians often focuses on recommending pesticides as solutions, rather than addressing the underlying causes of pest and disease outbreaks or exploring existing alternatives.

Influence of the Pesticide Industry: The pesticide industry plays a significant role in providing technical assistance to farmers who adopt modern agricultural practices. Their representatives often promote pesticide use rather than integrated methods, reinforcing a culture of dependency on chemical products.

These factors collectively hinder the widespread implementation of IPM and sustainable practices in agriculture.

In the end, the text discusses the responsibility of research institutions and funding agencies in the low adoption of alternative techniques for controlling phytosanitary problems. A survey of articles published in the journals Summa Phytopathologica and Fitopatologia Brasileira revealed that alternative control practices, such as biological, physical, and cultural methods, represent only 9% and 5% of the articles, respectively. These figures, which consider 28 volumes of the first journal and 27 of the second, indicate that there is still a very small number of plant pathologists in Brazil focusing on alternative control.

The author argues that it is necessary to increase the number of specialists in this area so that plant pathology can make a more significant contribution to the environmental and social sustainability of agriculture in Brazil. The text also emphasizes that simply replacing fungicides with alternatives is not enough to ensure more sustainable agriculture. It is essential to understand the structure and functioning of the agroecosystem as a whole and to redesign production systems to make them truly sustainable. The author notes that various examples of sustainable practices have been presented to the agricultural community, suggesting that education and awareness are key to promoting effective changes.az

[planthealthday]

Plant health, safe trade and digital technology - Webcast.

Watch the hybrid event entitled Plant health, safe trade and digital technology.

Plants are life – we depend on them for 80 percent of the food we eat and 98 percent of the oxygen we breathe. But international travel and trade have been associated with the introduction and spread of plant pests. Invasive pest species are one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss and threaten the delicate web of life that sustains our planet. Pests and diseases have also been associated with rising temperatures which create new niches for pests to populate and spread. In response, the use of pesticides could increase, which harms pollinators, natural pest enemies and organisms crucial for a healthy environment. Protecting plant health is essential by promoting environmentally friendly practices such as integrated pest management. International standards for phytosanitary measures (ISPMs) in trade also help prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests across borders. 

[buymangoinbulk]

Mango Export From India to USA

Shreevali Agro® is a trusted name in mango export from India to the USA, delivering premium-quality, farm-fresh mangoes to international markets. India, known for its rich mango varieties like Alphonso, Kesar, and Banganapalli, exports only the finest produce that meets strict USDA and APHIS regulations. Our mangoes are carefully harvested, processed, and packed to maintain freshness and ensure top-notch quality.

At Shreevali Agro®, we specialize in seamless mango export from India to the USA. We handle all logistics, including phytosanitary certification and irradiation, to comply with international standards. Whether you’re an importer, wholesaler, or retailer, we guarantee timely shipments and superior-quality mangoes that retain their authentic taste and aroma.

Experience the true essence of Indian mangoes with Shreevali Agro®. Contact us today for bulk orders and enjoy the sweetness of India’s best mangoes in the USA!

Visit: https://www.shreevaliagro.com/

[floraleevee]

There’s a lovely woman in North Carolina in the US who calls herself Mossin’ Annie. I don’t really keep up with it all too much anymore, but I assume she’s doing the same thing she’s been doing for decades: sustainably harvesting moss to culture and sell.

Because yes she does strip areas of moss. But ya know what areas? Places scheduled for demolition. Undersides of bridges, old building walls, etc. And she actually has a license to do so (not that licensing is synonymous with legitimacy/sustainability, but in this case it’s certainly more credible than poaching). Then she takes them back to her “mossery” as she likes to call it, sorts by species, and grows the moss.

She’s got a page devoted to IDing moss

She’s actually big on education and has been a guest speaker at several botanical gardens, libraries, and master gardener symposiums. She engages in outreach education in her local community (which makes her sosososo important in my books, though as a previous outreach educator in the conservation field I’m a bit biased)

This woman legitimately loves moss and works so hard to get people to care about their continuation. Due to some restrictions that have been put in since the last time I talked with her, her shop is limited in where they’ll sell (phytosanitary regulations in many states have become more strict, but I think the chemicals used to eliminate the newest invasive is harmful to the moss). But so so so recommend them. They’re called Mountain Moss.

Oh also she really likes purple :) it might be the only thing she likes as much as moss

Tumblr won’t let me add more photos. But she’s literally always wearing purple. She’s so cool. I know this post was originally focused on reindeer moss (lichen), but since you touched on Appalachian moss a bit I thought I’d highlight this gem of a human :)

Oh my god I'm sooooo mad right now

So. I have no business telling people not to collect wild plants/materials.

I do it all the time.

However.

The words "wildcrafted," and "foraged," even "sustainably harvested," are terrifying to see in an ad on Etsy or Instagram

There is a such thing as the honorable harvest where you ASK the plant if it is okay to take, with the intention of listening if the answer is NO. Robin Wall Kimmerer talked about this, She did not make it up, it is an ancient and basic guideline of treating the plants with respect.

Basically it is not wrong to use plants and other living things, even if this means taking their life. But you are not the main character. You have to reflect on your knowledge of the organism's life cycle and its role in the ecosystem, so you can know you are not damaging the ecosystem. You have to only take what you need and avoid depleting the population.

Mary Siisip Geniusz also talked about it in an enlightening way in her book Plants Have So Much to Give Us, All We Have To Do is Ask. She gave an example of a woman who was on an island and needed to use a medicinal herb to heal her injured leg or she would not survive the winter. In that situation she had to use up all of the plant that was on the island. This was permissible, even though it eliminated the local population, because she had to do it to save her life. But in return the woman had the responsibility to later return to the island and plant seeds of that plant.

And what makes me absolutely furious, is that there are a bunch of people online who have vaguely copied this philosophy of sustainability in a false and insulting way, saying "wildcrafted" or "foraged" materials to be all trendy and cool and in touch with nature, when it is actually just poaching.

If you are from a capitalistic culture the honorable harvest is very hard and unintuitive to learn to practice. I am not very good at it still. This is why it is suspicious if someone is confident that they can ethically and respectfully harvest wild materials with money involved.

So there's this lichen that is often called "reindeer moss." It looks like this:

It grows only a few millimeters a year.

This is "preserved" reindeer moss.

It is from Etsy, similar is also sold in many other online shops, many of which have the audacity to describe it as a "plant" for decorations and terrariums that needs no maintenance.

It is not maintenance-free, it is dead. It has been spray-painted a horrible shade of green. The people buying it clearly don't even know what it is. It is a popular crafting material for "fairy houses," whatever the hell those are. So is moss, also dead, spray-painted, and wild-harvested. Supposedly reindeer moss is harvested sustainably in Finland, where it is abundant, for the craft industry. However poaching of lichens and mosses is absolutely rampant.

It's even more upsetting because there's hardly any articles drawing attention to the problem. This one is from 1999. And the poaching is still going on.

There is a "moss" section on Etsy, and it is so upsetting

These mosses and lichens were collected from the wild. Most of the shops are in the Pacific Northwest or Appalachia, which are the major locations of moss and lichen poaching. There are some shops based in Appalachia selling "foraged" reindeer moss.

Reindeer moss may be abundant in Finland, but in Appalachia it should NOT be harvested to be sold on Etsy as craft supplies! Moss doesn't grow quickly. Big, healthy colonies like this took years to grow. Some of these shops have thousands of sales, all of bags and bags of moss and lichen, and thinking of how much moss and lichen that must be, I am filled with horror.

Clubmosses do not transplant well, and these ones have no roots. The buyers do not realize they have bought a dead plant because clubmoss stays green and pliable after it is dead.

This is especially awful because in Mary Siisip Geniusz's book she talked about clubmosses being poached so much for Christmas wreaths that they had almost disappeared from a lot of forests.

I don't even know if this is illegal if it's not a formally endangered species so I don't know if I can report them I'm just. really sad and angry

[exim-pedia]

How to Export Mangoes from India to the USA: A Complete Guide

India is the largest producer of mangoes in the world and exports a variety of mangoes to international markets, including the USA. The demand for high-quality mangoes has been increasing due to their rich taste and nutritional benefits. In this article, we will discuss the process of exporting mangoes from India to the USA, the market trends, and key importers.

Market Trends of Fresh Mangoes in the USA

The USA relies heavily on imports to meet its demand for fresh mangoes, as local production is limited to Florida, California, and Hawaii. While Mexico dominates the US mango market, India has been steadily increasing its share in mango exports. In the fiscal year 2023-24, India exported 32,104.09 metric tonnes of fresh mangoes worldwide, valued at INR 495.46 crores (USD 60.14 million). The export of mangoes to the USA from India grew by 19% compared to the previous year.

Key Mango Importers in the USA

Several companies in the USA import mangoes from India in large quantities. Some of the top Indian mango importers in the USA include:

A & P Intertrade Inc.

VLM Foods USA Limited

Dni Group LLC.

Spectrum Fruits Inc.

ITI Tropicals

Greenwood Associates Inc.

Clark Foods Inc. DBA American Bever

Vadilal Industries USA Inc.

Esu Farm LLC

To get a comprehensive list of Indian mango importers in the USA along with shipment details, traders can use Export Import Data Bank platforms like Eximpedia.app.

Major Varieties of Mangoes Exported to the USA from India

India exports different varieties of mangoes to the USA, each known for its unique taste and texture. The major types include:

Alphonso Mango (Hapus)

Totapuri Mango

Kesar Mango

Badami Mango

Banganapalli Mango (Safeda)

Rajapuri Mango

Chaunsa Mango

Among these, Alphonso mangoes are highly sought after due to their rich, creamy flavor. Kesar mangoes are known for their sweetness and aroma, while Totapuri mangoes are mainly used for mango pulp production.

Required Documents for Mango Export to the USA

Exporting mangoes from India to the USA requires obtaining several key documents, including:

Business Registration with MCA

Phytosanitary Certificate

GST Registration

APEDA Registration

Import Export Code (IEC)

CRES Certificate from the Spice Board of India

Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) Registration

These documents ensure compliance with Indian and US regulations, facilitating smooth trade transactions.

Step-by-Step Process to Export Mangoes from India to the USA

Step 1: Understanding the Market

Before exporting, conduct thorough market research to identify demand trends and pricing. Platforms providing India Import and Export Data and Export Import Data Bank can help traders analyze the latest trends and buyer preferences.

Step 2: Obtaining Export Documentation

To export mangoes from India to the USA, secure all necessary documents, including:

Certificate of Origin

Packing List

Tax Invoice

Commercial Invoice

Phytosanitary Certificate

These documents are crucial for customs clearance and ensuring compliance with export regulations.

Step 3: Understanding Mango HS Codes

HS Codes are essential for identifying mango shipments in international trade. For mango exports, the HS Code is 20079910. Traders can use Import Export Data to access updated statistics and port details.

Step 4: Finding Mango Buyers in the USA

After completing documentation, identify potential buyers using Import and Export Data India. Utilizing Export Import Data platforms helps exporters connect with verified buyers and expand their trade network.

Top Destinations for Mango Exports from India

Apart from the USA, India exports mangoes to several other countries, including:

Japan

New Zealand

Australia

South Africa

Saudi Arabia

Yemen Republic

Netherlands

Countries in the Middle East, such as Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, also import Indian mangoes in significant quantities.

Global Mango Export Market

India is among the top global exporters of mangoes. The leading mango-exporting countries based on export value (in million USD) are:

Mexico: 575.36

Netherlands: 381.72

Brazil: 315.69

India: 148.36

United States: 48.23

Germany: 40.24

Burkina Faso: 27.63

Portugal: 27.22

South Africa: 17.18

United Kingdom: 12.82

India ranks fourth in global mango exports, with an export value of USD 148.36 million, about one-fourth of Mexico’s export value.

Special Guidelines for Exporting Mangoes to the USA

Exporters must comply with strict guidelines for mango shipments to the USA, including:

Implementing Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for high-quality production.

Using hygienic, food-grade packaging that meets FDA regulations.

Ensuring accurate labeling per US import requirements.

Obtaining phytosanitary certification to confirm compliance with export regulations.

Submitting customs documentation on time for hassle-free export transactions.

Conclusion

Exporting mangoes from India to the USA presents lucrative opportunities for traders. However, the process requires thorough market research, proper documentation, and compliance with import regulations. By utilizing Export Import Data, Import Export Data, and India Import and Export Data, exporters can gain valuable insights and expand their business. Platforms like Eximpedia.app offer updated trade data and market intelligence to help exporters make informed decisions.

For a complete list of Indian mango exporters and buyers in the USA, consult reliable Export Import Data platforms. Connect now to explore global trade opportunities and maximize your mango export business!

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Canola gains ground in southern Brazil

Oilseed known as the “winter soybean” is attracting farmers for its efficiency in crop rotation, profitability, and pre-set prices

Canola, an oilseed with bright yellow flowers developed through genetic improvements from Canadian rapeseed, is emerging as the top choice among winter crops in Rio Grande do Sul. Farmers in the state increased the planted area by more than 75% this year, attracted by the crop’s efficiency in rotation, profitability, and pre-arranged purchase prices at planting.

According to estimates from Emater-RS, the planted area of canola—also known as the “winter soybean” due to its price parity with Brazil’s most produced crop—reached a record 135,000 hectares this season, up from 77,000 hectares last year. Production is expected to rise from 134,000 tonnes to 226,000 tonnes, a 68.7% increase.

Alencar Paulo Rugeri, a state technical assistant at Emater-RS, notes that one of canola’s appeals is its near-closed production chain, similar to barley. Farmers plant knowing who they will sell to and with an idea of the price, which in 2024 is better than in previous years.

According to Mr. Rugeri, there’s no competition between winter crops in Rio Grande do Sul due to the availability of land for expansion. The state plants 7 million hectares in summer and 2 million hectares in winter. “Canola is a good option for producers because its production cost isn’t as high, and it has more favorable phytosanitary conditions than wheat, for example,” he said.

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