What Growers Need to Know About Newly Deregulated Chrysanthemum White Rust

After years of industry advocacy and collaboration with USDA, a major regulatory milestone has been reached for the U.S. horticulture industry. Effective Nov. 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 U.S.

To help with this transition, join AmericanHort and USDA APHIS for an informative webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at 3:00–4:00 p.m. (EST), that will examine what this regulatory change means for growers, propagators, importers, and the broader horticulture industry.

Chrysanthemum White Rust Deregulation: Implementation Guidance and Next Steps with USDA APHIS

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.

Featured speakers for the webinar include:

Dr. Yilmaz Balci

Dr. Balci is the Assistant Director for the Plants for Planting Policy program at USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ). He leads a team that develops science-based import policies to ensure safe, reliable access to diverse horticultural and agricultural plant material entering the U.S. 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.

Shannon Jarman

Jarman is a Senior Regulatory Policy Specialist with USDA APHIS PPQ’s Pest Exclusion and Import Programs within the Plants for Planting Policy program. Jarman develops and implements science-based policies that facilitate the safe importation of plants and plant products while protecting U.S. agriculture.

To learn more and register for the webinar, click here.