The Plant Quarantine Act, originally enacted in 1912 (7 U.S.C. 151 et seq.), gave the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) authority to regulate the importation and interstate movement of nursery stock and other plants that may carry pests and diseases that are harmful to agriculture. This Act has been superseded by the consolidated APHIS statute, the Plant Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.). This authority is particularly important to the agency’s ability to prevent or limit the spread of harmful invasive species within or to a state or region of the United States.
Provisions of Act The Plant Quarantine Act was codified as fifteen sections formulating regulations and rules for the importation of nursery stock including annual plants and biennial plants. 7 U.S.C § 151 - Definition of "Persons" to include corporations7 U.S.C § 152 - Definition of "Nursery Stock"7 U.S.C § 153 - Persons to include corporations and corporations liable for acts of agents7 U.S.C § 154 - Unlawful importing of nursery stock without permit, requirement of foreign inspection certificate, and conditions if no inspection abroad7 U.S.C § 155 - Imports for use by Department of Agriculture7 U.S.C § 156 - Notification of arrival at port of entry, port of entry forwarding forbidden without notification, and required inspection7 U.S.C § 157 - Marking required on goods entering the United States7 U.S.C § 158 - Marking required in interstate shipments7 U.S.C § 159 - Restriction on importing plants other than nursery stock and issue of order7 U.S.C § 160 - Plant diseases and insect infestation, determination of existence in country or locality, importations prohibited after promulgation of determination, and quarantine immediately effective7 U.S.C § 161 - Interstate quarantine against plant diseases or insect infestation, shipments from quarantined localities forbidden, movements of nursery stock subject to conditions, and rules for inspection to be issued7 U.S.C § 162 - Duty of Secretary of Agriculture7 U.S.C § 163 - Punishment for violations7 U.S.C § 164 - Common carriers and prosecutions7 U.S.C § 165 - Establishment of Federal Horticulture Board
Amendments to 1912 Act U.S. Congressional amendments to the Plant Quarantine Act. Date of EnactmentPublic Law NumberU.S. Statute CitationU.S. Legislative BillU.S. Presidential AdministrationApril 13, 1926Public Resolution 69-14 Calvin CoolidgeMay 1, 1928P.L. 70-327Calvin CoolidgeJune 4, 1936P.L. 74-643Franklin D. RooseveltJuly 31, 1947P.L. 80-290Harry S. TrumanOctober 10, 1978P.L. 95-439Jimmy E. CarterJanuary 8, 1983P.L. 97-432Ronald W. Reagan
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