Lawmakers Make Case for California Nurseries

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and two other lawmakers urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to hasten negotiations with nine states to end bans of all or some of California-grown nursery plants.

Boxer, with Reps. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Atherton) and Sam Farr (D-Carmel), contend that the bans are unnecessary because growers are abiding by federal regulations to ensure products are free of a disease known as sudden oak death, which was found this month at two California nurseries.

Florida, West Virginia and Louisiana have banned all California plants. Six other states have halted shipments to varying degrees. Growers say the bans could cost the $2.35-billion California plant industry $100 million in lost sales this spring.

USDA officials were unavailable for comment.

-- Arlene Martinez