APHIS Restricts Imports of Rose (Rosa spp.) Plants for Planting Due to Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 Biovar 2
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FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2026-17
May 20, 2026
Subject: APHIS Restricts Imports of Rose (Rosa spp.) Plants for Planting Due to Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 Biovar 2
To: State, Tribal, and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials
Effective immediately, the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending the importation requirements for rose (Rosa spp.) plants for planting to prevent the introduction of Ralstonia solanacearum Race 3 biovar 2 (Rs R3bv2) into the United States. Rs R3bv2 is not known to occur in the United States. This bacterium colonizes the vascular system of plants, causing wilting and death. It causes diseases such as brown rot of potato, bacterial wilt of tomato and eggplant, and southern wilt of geranium.
Rs R3bv2 is regulated by APHIS as a Select Agent and is synonymous with Ralstonia solanacearum phylotype IIB, sequevars 1 and 2 (abbreviated IIB-1 and IIB-2). All strains of Ralstonia solanacearum are treated as a potential Select Agent in the United States and subject to the highest levels of phytosanitary regulation until proven not to belong to Rs R3bv2. Rs R3bv2 is known to infect potato, tomato, eggplant, pepper, and geranium crops. It now has been shown to asymptomatically infect ornamental roses (Rosa spp.).
Prior to this Federal Order, ornamental roses were allowed to enter the United States without specific safeguards against Rs R3bv2, making roses imported for planting a potential pathway for pest introduction. Specifically, Rosa spp. were allowed importation into the United States under postentry quarantine (PEQ) from Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Rosa spp. were also admissible with additional declarations from Canada. From all other countries, Rosa spp. are not authorized pending pest risk analysis (NAPPRA).
This Federal Order restricts the importation of Rosa spp. plants for planting into the United States due to Rosa spp. recently being identified as a host of Rs R3bv2. As described in this Federal Order, Rosa spp. plants for planting may continue to be imported into the United States under postentry quarantine from Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom only if those plants have been produced in a pest-free place of production or pest-free production site for Rs R3bv2 as certified by their National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO). After making U.S. entry, all standard PEQ requirements will remain in effect. From Canada, Rosa spp. may continue to be imported only if all plant parts (including rootstock and graft material) were solely grown in Canada or the United States. Shipments must be imported under the U.S.-Canada Greenhouse-Grown Plant Certification Program (GCP) or the Canadian Nursery Certification Program (CNCP); plants grown outside of the GCP or CNCP must be accompanied by a Canadian phytosanitary certificate for export.
From all other countries, Rosa spp. plants for planting must be imported under a Controlled Import Permit. Alternatively, NPPOs may submit a request to APHIS to remove NAPPRA status for this taxon.
This restriction applies to Rosa spp. plants for planting and all plant parts intended for propagation except seed, and to all means of importation and movement, including commercial and non-commercial cargo, passenger baggage, international mail, and express courier shipments. Rosa spp. cut flowers are exempt from this Federal Order.
For additional information regarding this Federal Order, please contact Regulatory Policy Specialists Marla Cazier at 970-494-7562, marla.j.cazier@usda.gov, or Shannon Jarman at 650- 705-8837, shannon.e.jarman@usda.gov.
Matthew Rhoads
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine
Attachment: Federal Order (180.82 KB)
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