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The First Line of Defense: Interceptions of Federal Noxious Weed Seeds in Washington.

Margaret Smither-Kopperl, Botanist, Identifier, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, 835 S. 192nd St., #1600, Seatac, WA 98148. Tel: (206) 878-6604. Email: Margaret.L.Smither-Kopperl@aphis.usda.gov

The Plant Protection Act defines a noxious weed and provides a list of species that are prohibited or restricted from entering the United States. The seeds of these designated Federal Noxious Weeds (FNW) have zero tolerance for entry under the provisions of the Federal Seed Act. Responsibility for interception, identification and exclusion of these species at our borders is shared between the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (DHS-CBP) and the US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS).  CBP Agriculture Specialists make interceptions from cargo and baggage at ports and border crossings. Identification is provided by the Botanist Identifiers of USDA-APHIS and the National Identification Service.  During 2005 and 2006, Federal Noxious Weed seeds were intercepted at the Port of Seattle, Seatac Airport and the Canadian Border (Blaine). The incidence and frequency of interceptions varied with location. At the Port of Seattle, the most frequently intercepted FNW seeds were Pennisetum polystachion (L.) Schult. (mission grass), Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv. (cogongrass) and Tridax procumbens L.. In Seatac Airport the most frequent interceptions were Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. (water spinach) and Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier (giant hogweed). These interceptions of seed from passenger baggage were for consumption and propagation. At Blaine, the most frequent interceptions were of Asphodelus fistulosus L. (onionweed), a frequent contaminant of cumin, and Oryza sp. Red Rice. Shipments containing a FNW seed are refused entry, unless the seeds can be separated and/or devitalized; those in passenger baggage are confiscated and destroyed.