Seed exchange 2009/2010

[dominique]

thank you Maggi. I hope, always positive attitude !!

[ashley]

... just about all Cyclemen are permitted ...

except for that notorious thug C. elegans

[Maggi Young]

thank you Maggi. I hope, always positive attitude !!

Yes, we hope for one of these.......





but we got one of these........

 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Maggi,
Who's that breathtaking young lady in your new avatar ?? 

[Lvandelft]

Maggi,
Who's that breathtaking young lady in your new avatar ?? 

The result of your Belgian goodies Luc?? 

[Lesley Cox]

... just about all Cyclemen are permitted ...

except for that notorious thug C. elegans

True, Ashley. We could probably convince MAF it is a subsp of coum, if the need arose. C. colchicum isn't listed either, or that other very rare species from Ethiopia or somewhere handy. Can't remember the name. Does it actually exist?

Seed of hybrids is permitted provided both parents are permitted.

[Lesley Cox]

However, last I heard, the application to assess costs $1,200 per species. On top are the costs of the assessment itself including anything they may decide is necessary such as examination in the field, visits to overseas herbaria etc etc. It could literally be many thousands but won't be less that the $1,200.

Please, someone, pick me off the floor and phone an ambulence as I've just had a major heart attack!!! A phone call from a nice lady, Senior Risk Assessment Officer at ERMA (Environmental Risk Management Authority) in Wellington with the information I emailed for, on Friday.

The present cost of a risk assessment is $16,875 per species (the application to assess), plus disbursements (the assessment itself) plus GST. This is for the general run of plants such as you or I may wish to import from outside New Zealand. There is another category of release called "Rapid Release" and this only costs $562.50 but is only for plants or animals for highly specialized scientific purposes and the Officer told me there have only been two such releases since the Biosecurity Act came into force in 1993. This website gives some detail and among other things, before a (e.g.) Fritillaria species could be released for import, apparently ERMA has a statutory obligation to consult with Maori in case there are cultural conflicts etc. God give me strength!

http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/no/applications/release.html

[Diane Whitehead]

I can't imagine even a business funding that unless they are expecting
to make a fortune on exports.

  Perhaps a rich club might - the Rose Society, perhaps?

[galahad]

It's all a bit too depressing really, isn't it?  I absolutely appreciate the stance on keeping potentially harmful species out of NZ but they seem to accomplish this by making it virtually impossible/unaffordable rather than real assessment.

However, last I heard, the application to assess costs $1,200 per species. On top are the costs of the assessment itself including anything they may decide is necessary such as examination in the field, visits to overseas herbaria etc etc. It could literally be many thousands but won't be less that the $1,200.

Please, someone, pick me off the floor and phone an ambulence as I've just had a major heart attack!!! A phone call from a nice lady, Senior Risk Assessment Officer at ERMA (Environmental Risk Management Authority) in Wellington with the information I emailed for, on Friday.

The present cost of a risk assessment is $16,875 per species (the application to assess), plus disbursements (the assessment itself) plus GST. This is for the general run of plants such as you or I may wish to import from outside New Zealand. There is another category of release called "Rapid Release" and this only costs $562.50 but is only for plants or animals for highly specialized scientific purposes and the Officer told me there have only been two such releases since the Biosecurity Act came into force in 1993. This website gives some detail and among other things, before a (e.g.) Fritillaria species could be released for import, apparently ERMA has a statutory obligation to consult with Maori in case there are cultural conflicts etc. God give me strength!

http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/no/applications/release.html

[Lesley Cox]

It is my conviction and that of many others that the costs are designed not merely to discourage applications but to avoid them altogether because the so-called indigenous people and the green lobby are so adamantly against the introduction of further exotic species. A stupid attitude entirely and one which has already cost many jobs with nurseries closing as they can't introduce new material, and will ultimately destroy large parts of the horticultural industry.

[Diane Whitehead]

Pollen may be unregulated, though, so hybridizers can carry on.

[Lesley Cox]

Pollen is NOT unregulated unless sterilized which I imagine would destroy it anyway.

[Diane Whitehead]

Our weather is similar to the South Island, and you'd be a
welcome neighbour.

We'd even let you bring your plants if you wash the roots.

[Lesley Cox]

Our weather is similar to the South Island, and you'd be a
welcome neighbour.

We'd even let you bring your plants if you wash the roots.

Will let you know when I've packed the (washed) plants in containers (will have to charter a ship) and then I'll pack my bags. Booking a flight today. Can I bring Teddy?

[galahad]

Update.....I had advised of the pseudonym of the Narcissus and the parentage of the Cyclamen primary hybrid but I didn't bother with the other 2 packets which were identified as "Crocus spp".

all four packets were released and I got them in the mail today :-)