U.S. Plant Quarantine Programs

Last Modified: January 22, 2024
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The United States does not have a centralized government plant quarantine system. Instead, APHIS issues permits to expert plant pathologists with proper containment facilities and approved protocols to manage quarantine programs for specific crops. APHIS' Plant Germplasm Quarantine Program (PGQP) in Beltsville, MD, imports plants for propagation requiring quarantine that cannot be processed elsewhere on behalf of the requestor.

Plant Quarantine Programs Regulated but Not Managed by APHIS-PPQ

The programs listed below regularly import prohibited plant parts for propagation for many different requestors. Information for many of these programs is available on the National Clean Plant Network website.  

Citrus Quarantine Programs

Citrus Clonal Protection Program, University of California, Riverside, CA
Permit Holder: Dr. Georgios Vidalakis

Florida Citrus Germplasm Introduction Program, Florida Dept. of Agric. & Consumer Services, Gainesville, FL
Permit Holders: Kristen Helseth and Peggy Sieburth

Grapevine Quarantine Programs

Foundation Plant Services, University of California, Davis, CA
Permit Holder: Dr. Maher Al Rwahnih

Cornell Clean Grape Program, Cornell University, New York Agr. Exp. Station, Geneva, NY
Permit Holder: Dr. Marc Fuchs 

Pome and Stone Fruit Quarantine Programs

Clean Plant Center for Fruit Trees, Washington State University, Prosser, WA
Permit Holder: Dr. Scott Harper

Foundation Plant Services, University of California, Davis, CA
Permit Holder:  Dr. Maher Al Rwahnih

Note: Pome and stone fruits released by the Canadian quarantine program in Sidney, BC or produced by the Canadian certification program can be imported into the U.S. without further federal quarantine restrictions. 

Small Fruit Quarantine Programs

Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Permit Holder: Dr. Robert Martin

Clean Plant Center for Hops, Washington State University, Prosser, WA
Permit Holder: Dr. Scott Harper

Corn, Millet and Sorghum Seed Quarantine Program

Germplasm Introduction Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Â St. Croix, VI
Permit Holder: Adolfo Quiles, Dr. Ricardo Goenaga
Email: Ricardo.Goenaga@ars.usda.gov 

Wheat Seed Quarantine Program

National Small Grains Collection, USDA-ARS, Aberdeen, ID
Permit Holder: Dr. Harold Bockelman
Email: Harold.Bockelman@ars.usda.gov