Oregon Hop Quarantine ?!?!

[IXVolt]

I tried to place an order from my usual supplier for Rhizomes... and there was a statement saying they couldn't ship to Oregon!

Upon looking further, it appears there is a quarantine for importing Hops to Oregon!

"Please note that the state of Oregon remains under a hop quarantine that prevents the entry of hop roots and plant material from anywhere outside the state, except Washington and Idaho states."
http://www.oregonhops.org/roots.html

However the farm I have been getting my hops from is located in Washington! What gives...

Anyhow, it looks like I'm looking for a place to get my hops this year. Fortunately Oregon appears to be a hop meca for farming.

 

[Shooter]

My brother is in Washington and tried to order hops from Oregon and there was also a restriction in that direction. The information seems to indicate it's okay, but looks like reality says differently.

 

[IXVolt]

Bought 8 more plants today from Thyme gardens. My in-laws have 6 acres they said I could grow on.... with irrigation.

 

[rhamilton]

However the farm I have been getting my hops from is located in Washington! What gives...

Anyhow, it looks like I'm looking for a place to get my hops this year. Fortunately Oregon appears to be a hop meca for farming.

They are trying to protect their resources. Can't blame them -- my whole neighborhood has white powdery mildew:

Hop Quarantine

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Quarantine Against Powdery Mildew of Hops
603-052-1020

Quarantine Against Powdery Mildew of Hops

(1) Establishing Quarantine: A quarantine is established against the powdery mildew disease of hops caused by the fungus Sphaerotheca humuli (DC.) Burr. (=S. macularis (Wallre ex Fr.)).

(2) Area Under Quarantine: All states and districts of the United States, except the states of Washington and Idaho.

(3) Commodities Covered: Plants and all plant parts of hops, Humulus lupulus, excepting kiln dried cones of hops are prohibited entry into this state directly, indirectly, diverted or reconsigned. Used bale coverings and any other articles or equipment that could transmit spores or other infections material.

(4) Conditions: Covered commodities from the area under quarantine are prohibited.

(5) Director's Exemptions: Persons wishing to import covered commodities from the area under quarantine must apply in writing for a Director's Exemption as authorized by OAR 603-052-1020. Applications for Director's Exemptions must list the prospective buyer and seller, the number, the origin of stock, location of proposed planting site; and any other relevant information. Director's Exemptions, when granted, will list required safeguards to prevent disease establishment.

(6) Disposition of Commodities in Violation of the Quarantine: All covered commodities described in section (3) of this rule found to be in violation of this quarantine shall be returned immediately to point of origin by the Oregon receiver, or at the receiver's option be destroyed under the supervision of the Oregon Department of Agriculture without expense to or indemnity paid by the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Stat. Authority: ORS Ch. 561 & 570.305

Stats. Implemented: ORS 561.190, 561.510 - 600 & 570.305

Effective June 4, 1999

 

[Randar]

Is it that time of year already? I was starting to feel lost without the annual quarantine thread.

 

[IXVolt]

Effective 1999? I ordered from different states a number of times over the last few years.

Interesting find on the mildew. I thought it was a localized result of the water.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Randar]

Effective 1999? I ordered from different states a number of times over the last few years.

Interesting find on the mildew. I thought it was a localized result of the water.

Are you sure you knew where you were getting them from to begin with? Many of the rhizomes sold throughout the country originate in Oregon, WA, Idaho... you could order from a company that sources from a location in your state as long as it is traceable, IIRC.

It's not just powdery mildew they are protecting against, BTW.

 

[Greatlakeshops]

The states with quarantines and restrictions have identified potentially devastating diseases in some of their hopyards - it is a problem in THEIR states. (Funny they can ship stuff out of state, though)
We CAN ship into these states - BUT - each state requires a specific individual inspection which costs about $75. Some states allow us to do a "pool" inspection (CA).
To be honest; the hassle of scheduling the inspections and the costs simply makes it unfeasible to ship small orders to these states. (The folks that do ship into these states are typically doing it without the proper inspections) We cannot risk losing our nursery certifications to ship the other parts of the USA and Canada. We are attempting to get a "directors exemption" in some states but it is like wishin' the tooth fairy(you never hear anything back). So we apologize to those who want to grow hops in these states. (Send a letter to your DOA.
We are actually more concerned about them shipping diseased stock out of their states and spreading the problem further. The last thing we want to see is a nationwide restriction via USDA; similar to fruit tree stocks. This would make things extremely difficult for all craft brewers who want to grow their own hops and would increase the cost of plants dramatically.