Washington, DC – (October 12, 2026) – AmericanHort welcomes the announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) deregulating chrysanthemum white rust (CWR). The action removes CWR’s federal quarantine pest designation, easing longstanding burdens on U.S. growers and establishing new pathways for importing chrysanthemum propagation material under approved plant health safeguards.

Federal CWR restrictions have created significant business challenges for decades. CWR detections could trigger shipment holds, quarantine actions, and destruction requirements, while import restrictions limited access to cuttings and genetic material. APHIS concluded that CWR is established in the United States and that the eradication-based approach is no longer technically or economically justified.

“For growers, this means greater certainty in managing their crops and more options for accessing the plant material they need,” said Kamron Newberry, AmericanHort Regulatory & Trade Policy Coordinator. “We appreciate the USDA APHIS team’s persistence and partnership in bringing this longstanding effort to completion. This progress opens the door to new opportunities for innovation and growth across the U.S. horticulture industry.”

For over a decade, the broad industry consensus has supported deregulation and the possibility of safely importing chrysanthemum cuttings into the United States under an approved systems approach. Craig Regelbrugge, former AmericanHort Senior Vice President, helped lead the association’s advocacy alongside industry partners and USDA. Following Regelbrugge’s departure, Newberry carried that effort forward.

AmericanHort submitted multiple rounds of regulatory comments through the Federal Register process and met with senior USDA officials to advocate for science-based deregulation, practical import requirements, and timely final action.

The new pathways cover eligible chrysanthemum cuttings and tissue-culture plantlets from 20 countries entering the continental United States under a systems approach, with a separate protocol for Canada. Expanded access can diversify sourcing options, support breeding and trialing, and improve access to new genetics. APHIS is also removing CWR-specific restrictions on imported fresh cut flowers.

AmericanHort thanks the growers, breeders, suppliers, and other industry partners who contributed technical expertise, shared firsthand experiences with CWR restrictions, and remained engaged throughout the process. Their input helped keep the effort grounded in the needs of commercial production and shape a practical path forward.

AmericanHort also thanks USDA APHIS leadership and Plant Protection and Quarantine policy staff for the time, expertise, and persistence it took to bring this effort to completion. This was no small undertaking, and the association appreciates their commitment to working through the challenges alongside industry.

The changes take effect on November 9, 2026, and the implementation process begins. Imports under the new pathways can begin only after required operational work plans and production facility approvals are in place, and applicable import requirements are met. AmericanHort will continue working with APHIS and industry partners and provide guidance on implementation and next steps.

Download details and supporting documents: dockets APHIS-2021-0081 for plants for planting and APHIS-2019-0024 for fresh cut flowers.