Chrysanthemum White Rust Deregulation: Implementation Guidance and Next Steps with USDA APHIS
After years of industry advocacy and collaboration with USDA, a major regulatory milestone has been reached for the U.S. horticulture industry. Effective November 9, 2026, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will deregulate chrysanthemum white rust (CWR) as a quarantine pest, removing longstanding federal restrictions and establishing new opportunities for importing chrysanthemum propagative material into the United States.
Join AmericanHort and USDA APHIS for an informative webinar examining what this regulatory change means for growers, propagators, importers, and the broader horticulture industry.
Representatives from USDA APHIS’s Plants for Planting Policy team will provide an overview of the deregulation decision, explain the new systems approach for importing chrysanthemum cuttings and in vitro plantlets from approved countries, and discuss implementation requirements and next steps.
The webinar will also include an opportunity for attendees to ask questions directly to USDA APHIS representatives.
Whether you are looking to import chrysanthemum propagative material or simply want to better understand this significant regulatory change, this webinar will provide valuable information to help your business prepare for the new requirements.
Whether you are looking to import chrysanthemum propagative material or simply want to better understand this significant regulatory change, this webinar will provide valuable information to help your business prepare for the new requirements.
Our Speakers
Dr. Yilmaz Balci
Assistant Director
USDA APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Plant for Planting Policy
Dr. Balci is the Assistant Director for the Plants for Planting Policy program at USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine. He leads a team that develops science-based import policies to ensure safe, reliable access to diverse horticultural and agricultural plant material entering the United States. His work focuses on balancing strong plant health safeguards with the efficient movement of high value plants and propagative material essential to the horticultural sector. During his time at APHIS, Dr. Balci has served as a risk manager, developing mitigation measures for a broad range of imported commodities, contributing to international phytosanitary standards, and supporting offshore and capacity building programs that strengthen global plant health systems. Before joining APHIS, he spent 15 years in academia building a plant health research program focused on managing exotic diseases in forest, urban, and nursery environments. Dr. Balci holds a PhD in Plant Pathology.
Shannon Jarman
Senior Policy Specialist
USDA APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Plant for Planting Policy
Shannon is a Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist with USDA APHIS PPQ’s Pest Exclusion and Import Programs, Plants for Planting Policy. Shannon develops and implements science-based policies that facilitate the safe importation of plants and plant products while protecting U.S. agriculture.