Growing Better with SANC “Growing Better” is the slogan for the National Plant Board’s new Systems Approach to Nursery Certification, or SANC, initiative that is currently under development. A Systems Approach to Nursery Certification

Nursery Certification Challenges Increased volume of trade More regulated pests Variety of state regulations Diminished resources for state regulatory programs Nursery certification poses increasing challenges as volumes increase, regulations become more stringent, and regulatory resources are diminishing. The National Plant Board is exploring the feasibility of a risk-based approach to certification to enhance current shipping-point based programs

Growing Better Goal A risk based nursery certification system that: Uses existing state programs Reduces pest distribution threats Increases effectiveness of nursery inspection processes Engages industry The goal of the SANC initiative is to develop, promote and implement a risk based nursery certification system utilizing existing state authorities and programs, to enhance uniformity, increase efficiency and reduce pest distribution threats from interstate movement of nursery stock.

Approach The NPB SANC workgroup strongly believes that the current state nursery certification and quarantine programs are sound! A risk-based system will build on the current system to further reduce potential pest and pathogen movement. The NPB SANC workgroup strongly believes that the current state nursery certification and quarantine programs are sound! However, there is always room for improvement in any system, and many plant diseases and pests pose difficult detection challenges. For example, visual inspections just prior to shipment may allow infected but pre-symptomatic plants to elude detection.

Approach - Outreach Promote a systems approach compatible with needs of individual states and industry. Develop education and outreach materials For regulatory and industry audiences Describe benefits and components of the systems approach SANC “Snapshots for SPROs” The SANC working group’s approach is to promote a harmonized, risk-based systems approach to enhance nursery certification processes while recognizing needs of individual states and industry. To that goal, we will develop education and outreach materials for both regulatory and industry audiences describing components and benefits of systems-based approach. We will also regularly communicate with SPROs about SANCs activities.

Approach – Training Materials Training materials to help identify: Critical Control Points (CCPs) for pest/pathogen introduction Best Management Practices (BMPs) specific to CCPs Engage HIS, SPROs, Industry, and others We are developing uniform training materials and templates to help state inspectors identify Critical Control Points (CCPs) in nursery production, and Best Management Practices (BMPs) to address them.

Approach – Templates Compliance Agreements Certification Documents CCPs and BMPs developed by partners We are developing model compliance agreements and other system approach models for state and federal quarantine pests that include CCPs and BMPs, control scheduling, shipping windows, certification requirements, etc., which can be utilized by both the production industries and state regulatory staffs and developing strategies to encourage use of these templates and models for management of quarantine pests.  

Approach - Consistency Updating and revising the model nursery and plant pest laws Develop examples of compliance agreements and other components of the systems approach. A SANC subcommittee is revising and updating the NPB Model Nursery Law to provide guidelines for incorporation of risk-based systems approaches to nursery certification. As part of this effort, examples of compliance agreements and other systems approach components are also being developed as resources for state regulators who want to adopt the systems approach to nursery certification

Approach A voluntary nursery certification process Nurseries may ship inter-state without load-by-load shipping point inspections. Continue to meet quarantine requirements Blend with existing certification programs (e.g. USNCP, JBHP, PSB) where appropriate. SANC will transitioning the systems approach to a voluntary nursery certification process that allows participant nurseries to ship inter-state and to Canada without load-by-load shipping point inspections, while meeting quarantine requirements. SANC will blend with existing certification programs, such as the USNCP and the Japanese Beetle Harmonization Program, as needed.

Benefits of the Systems Approach Focus resources to manage risk more effectively More cost efficient Reduced pest risk More direct interaction between nursery staff and regulators. Increased uniformity among state programs Tiered approach to certification that supports economic means of individual producers and the market. With a systems-based certification system, regulatory agency resources will be focused to more effectively manage risk of pest introductions and movement, resulting in cost efficiencies as well as reduction in pest risk. Working together, regulators and nursery staff will identify critical control points and best management practices, resulting in more direct interaction between these groups. Templates and educational materials will contribute to increased uniformity among state programs. A tiered certification system will allow producers and regulators the flexibility to address the needs of individual businesses and state regulations in support of the nursery trade.

Boxwood Blight Challenge Solution New pest of important nursery crop Industry demands for state certification Solution Voluntary participation Model compliance agreement CCPs and BMPs developed by industry Example: Boxwood blight detections in late 2011 created a significant challenge for the production and interstate movement of host material. Regulatory officials received numerous requests from interstate shippers to certify host material as free from boxwood blight in order to meet demands from buyers in other states. A compliance agreement template developed by the SANC team and a set of BMPs developed by industry will help meet state verification needs and the needs of individual nursery operations. Photo: CT Ag. Experiment Station

The SANC Team Core Group Gray Haun TN * Aurelio Posadas NPB * Carl Schulze NJ * Mike Cooper ID * Geir Friisoe MN * Ken Rauscher, Project Associate Training Subcommittee Collin Wamsley MO * Gary McAninch OR * Ann Gibbs ME * John Rochelle TN * Terry Walker AR Education and Outreach Subcommittee Ruth Welliver PA * Carol Holko MD * Karen Rane MD * Tad Hardy LA * Susan Ehlenbeck MO Compliance Agreements Subcommittee Dan Kenny OH * Mike Colvin CA * Sarah Scally ME * Dana Rhodes PA * Tyson Emery FL * Tom Wessels WA * David Gordon CO Model Law Subcommittee Wayne FL * Gene Cross NC * Gray Haun TN * Dan Hilburn OR * Jeff Zimmer MI * Vicki Smith CT * David Blackburn AR * Mark Taylor * MD SANC is a cooperative effort with many active participants.  SANC was developed with diverse input from regulators, industry, and SMEs. 19 of 50 states, 38%, are participating in the development of SANC  States: AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, ID, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, OH, OR, PA, TN, WA

Growing Better with SANC Questions? A Systems Approach to Nursery Certification (updated April 9, 2012)