Conflicting threads.

[john_ny]

I can't believe what I'm reading. On the same page, I see one thread about preventing the spread of disease, and another about smuggling plants!

[jmoore]

Where's the thread on smuggling plants?

[john_ny]

Here it's very difficult to have new varieties because it's forbidden to import banana plants.
So, I have to ask me friends to carry them in their luggages

[varig8]

I see you are listed as living in Staten Island, NY - southernmost county in NY State. It is not illegal to import banana plants into the US as long as they are accompanied with a phyto. certificate from the exporting country and/or an import license sticker which you can obtain from the US Dept of Agriculture. Also most of the ornamental and fruiting varieties are already available in the US, so there really is no need to import unless you need or want a specific rare or hard to find type.

[john_ny]

Originally Posted by varig8

I see you are listed as living in Staten Island, NY - southernmost county in NY State. It is not illegal to import banana plants into the US as long as they are accompanied with a phyto. certificate from the exporting country and/or an import license sticker which you can obtain from the US Dept of Agriculture. Also most of the ornamental and fruiting varieties are already available in the US, so there really is no need to import unless you need or want a specific rare or hard to find type.

Varig - That last post of mine, was not about me. I was trying to quote from the thread that I said was about smuggling, but the quote thing didn't work. I have had an import permit for over 40 years, and all of my imports have had proper phytos. My very first banana was a Gros Michel, from St. Lucia, in the early 1970s.