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Written by ( J. L. Hudson, Seedsman)
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Thursday, 03 March 2005 |
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Page 2 of 2
The White List is not a hoax.
Due to recent public outcry against the proposed new "white list" or "clean list" regulations which will require that all species of plants and animals will have to be tested for "invasiveness" and "safety" before they are allowed to be imported, possessed, sold or distributed, the government agencies involved have begun a deceptive campaign to deflect criticism and blunt objections. Form letters from the USDA and the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) claim that "there is no proposed legislation before congress based on a white-list." All this means is that the agencies involved have changed the name of the proposal � it is now being called "risk assessment" and "comprehensive screening," and that no legislation is currently before congress. Several of the agencies involved claim that no new legislation will be required to implement a clean list, that current regulatory powers already allow this. Anyone with any doubts about the white list should read the government publication "Harmful Non-Indigenous Species in the United States" by the U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, and check the entries under "clean" and "dirty" lists in the index. These detail the scope and intent of clean list regulations, and the history of past attempts to impose them on the American people.
Let the NISC and USDA speak for themselves:
"A key tool for prevention is risk analysis and screening system for evaluating first-time intentional introductions of non-native species before entry is allowed and for realistically applying similar principles, or other management options, to species currently in trade." �NISC (Note that this will necessitate a list of approved species � a "clean list", and that "species currently in trade" covers plants that are already here and being cultivated � they will be "tested" and either approved or rejected and prohibited.)
"The Council will undertake development of a comprehensive screening system for evaluating intentionally introduced non-native species. The purpose of the system will be to assure, upon full implementation, that non-native species which have not previously been imported will not be intentionally introduced in the United States unless the risk of establishment and harm has been evaluated and determined to be acceptable. The system should be fully implemented by January 1, 2007." �NISC
The comprehensive screening system will be applied to "Introduction of non-native propagative plants or seeds for any purpose (e.g. horticulture or botanical gardens) within the continental United States." �NISC (Note that even botanical gardens are not exempt.)
"These projects are intended� to promote acceptance by the private sector of future entry requirements." �NISC (note that pre-screening is just the beginning).
These quotes are directly from the NISC website, under the "National Management Plan":
www.invasivespecies.gov/council/nisc/actionb.html
Also note, from a letter from the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture: Invasive species which will be excluded are those which may cause "economic or environmental harm or harm to human health." It would appear that many medicinal plants used in indigenous herbalism could be excluded under the assumption that they might "harm human health". Some white list promoters have already proposed shutting down seed exchanges and banning medicinal plants that they deem are unsafe (see BioScience Vol. 51 No.2).
Lest this all sound too far-fetched, note that clean list laws are already in place in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In South Africa, the list of "invader species" includes many native South African trees and shrubs, and laws are in place which may fine landowners for not destroying them, and which prevent the issuance of building permits or the sale of the land until the plants are destroyed. In Australia, it is called "plant profiling" (an interesting term), and the introduction of a single new species, a sterile cultivar of vetiver grass (used for erosion control and in perfumery, and which has never been known to become weedy), required 7 years of testing and evaluation before release was approved.
For more information, and for a scientific critique of the invasive species "crisis" see the website:
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