Update 06/09/2022
On June 9th USDA announced that they have again extended the deadline for earthworm importer compliance. Check back here for more updates.
Original Post 06/08/2022
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) safeguards U.S. agriculture and natural resources against the entry, establishment, and spread of economically and environmentally significant pests.
PPQ announced a new policy requiring those who import earthworms into the United States to obtain a PPQ 526 pest permit and comply with rearing and shipping requirements. This requirement will apply to all earthworm species in various forms, including live, powdered, frozen, and freeze-dried, as well as their castings and related products.
This new requirement aims to prevent introducing and spreading potentially harmful pests and plant and animal pathogens transmitted by imported earthworms. PPQ defines strict conditions for rearing and treatment of earthworms prior to importation. The following are some restrictions and earthworm permit requirements:
- PPQ will only issue import permits for earthworms for U.S. environmental release from countries that are free from foot-and-mouth disease.
- Earthworms must be reared on a diet free of soil or bedding containing pathogens. The diet may contain paper pulp, sawdust, or pasteurized vegetables.
- At least 15 days prior to shipment, all imported earthworms must be placed on a cleansing diet free of any materials that may contain plant or animal pathogens.
- At no time during the rearing or packaging process are earthworms to be fed soil, uncooked or partially cooked vegetables.
- At all times during the rearing operation, worms must be kept separated from the ground by a heavy layer of plastic, fiberglass, metal, or other material that is not biodegradable.
If you are importing earthworms into the U.S. or require assistance obtaining the required PPQ 526 permit, the attorneys and consultants at FDAImports and Benjamin L. England & Associates have combined experience of over 100 years to help navigate USDA’s, FDAs, and EPA’s requirements; we are uniquely situated to assist with earthworm importing. Please feel free to contact us or phone us at 410.220.2800.
This blog/post is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, and is not intended to form an attorney-client relationship. Please contact your regular Benjamin L. England & Associates, LLC attorney contact for additional information.
