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Have you ever brought down just regular garden seeds for Jamaicans to grow? Example: pumpkins, tomatoes, zucchini etc. Have you brought them down in "carry-on" luggage? Will TSA allow this? I am coming down soon, and all I'll have is "carry-on" luggage. Not sure of regulations. Just curious, thanks for your input. "side with the seeds" cool Wilco song by the way.
Rocknrollfarmer...when this question was brought up back in 2013...I made a phone call and this was the response...
According to Andre at customs/imports/agriculture of Jamaica he said in NO uncertain terms are you allowed to bring in plant seeds without the required permits/import licensing etc...
Hey Bnewb...I guess that answers that!
i brought guinnea hen back one year................in my wifes suitcase////////lol......its still growing..........my dog loves it
Lenbert gave us a couple of scotch bonnet peppers on our last trip to Negril. We thought we'd use them to make jerk sauce, and save the seeds to plant. I read online on some travel forum that it is ok to take peppers, all you have to do is be sure to claim them, so we did... WRONG! After being sent to several different desks in customs once we arrived in Orlando, they took the peppers from us and told us we could not bring any vegetable matter into the US. I'm guessing it works both ways- can't take fruits/vegetables into Jamaica. I was bummed- thinking I should have just brought the peppers and not said anything, but anybody who knows me, knows I'm a little paranoid about getting in trouble and I would never try to sneak anything in, going either direction. I'd die of embarrassment if I got caught. Anyway... I have found scotch bonnet peppers for sale online, so next spring, I'm ordering some! Can you mail seeds to someone in Jamaica, or can they order them online?
Please folks, there are rules and regulations set up by every country in the world about bringing in invasive species - meaning species not native to that particular region. From the University of Florida study:
"...a species that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health."
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/manage/wh...n-introduction
These regulations are in place to protect the local ecosystem. As we all know, the US has genetically engineered and naturally hybrid plants that may be banned in Jamaica to protect the local ecosystem. The best thing to do would be not to ever bring in or send seeds to any other country. If you happen to have the need to do so, please clearly mark the package on the outside that seeds are included in the package or on your customs form so that the proper inspectors can make the appropriate decisions.
Good thing I never got caught with the "Real" seeds....grin!
There are a lot of internet sources for good seeds:
http://sustainableseedco.com/heirloo...per-seeds.html
You should be able to grow year round in sunny Florida. Last summer, I found scotch bonnet plants at our local plant nursery here near Chicago - they grew like crazy and were scorching hot!
Quote:
Originally Posted by BaileysMom
Odinson, yes! I think scotch bonnet plants would do well in Florida- and they are readily available online- I've just never seen them for sale in the local nurseries. Thanks for the link!
I always bring seeds , and i know people that bring back , avocados, Morenga, from Jamaica without problems. I don't see the difference between cucumber, beans, carrots, ect seeds between Canadian, US, or Jamaican seeds, i don't believe that common seeds for products that are available and shipped between countries will damage the local eco system.
Seeds shipped by legal, licensed distributors between countries are one thing. But bringing in seeds to any country without legal permission is another.Quote:
Originally Posted by newfiegirl59
This is a quote from the link I posted above:
“These population explosions can have catastrophic effects, out-competing and displacing the native plants and disrupting naturally-balanced native plant communities. Destruction and replacement of our native plants by invasive species has several significant consequences. Wildlife that depends on native plants is often unable to adapt and may leave the area or die out"
Anyone can pretend that their actions have no consequences. But newfiegirl, did you lie on the immigration forms and get away with it? Are you aware how pollination works? Bees will visit one plant and mate it with another it lands on. This can create hybrids. And they are not always wanted, desired or beneficial to the local ecosystem.
This is not a joke thing. This is not only against the law, but irresponsible and potentially damaging to the environment.
Just because you know people that got away with it does not make it environmentally correct. PLEASE ALL do not continue this behaviour.
Rob, I realise there are laws but 9 chances out of 10 the seeds that are shipped by legal distributers, between countries are the same brand I am bringing in, and yes the Morenga, and avocadoes where declared and not a problem.
Thus is the problem. "Chances are" is not an exact figure and 9 out of 10 is 90%. This means that there are 10 chances out of 100 a devastating invasive plant species be brought in and can harm the local ecosystem. This is why when Lisa spoke with the customs import people they were adamant that under no circumstances should tourists be allowed to bring in seeds.
Isn't it just plain smarter to follow the laws on this since with your numbers you have a 10% chance of harming the island's ecosystem? And think of the risks involved if the 2 million visitors to the island all did the same thing?
Please folks, follow the laws on this one.
RESPECT>. everytime
I very much see this as a basic issue of respect and caring. If the Jamaicans tell you what's best for them - and they do, quite explicitly - why would anyone feel it appropriate to say "I don't care, this way I save $3.00" (or whatever very modest amount you are talking about)? If you're wrong, you could cause vast damages.
And Rob's point about numbers is spot on, but doesn't go far enough. Suppose it's fine 99.99% of the time, so the chance of a significant problem is only 1 in 10,000. If one tourist out of a thousand ignores the law and brings seeds, that would mean one serious problem every 5 years. The damage done would far outweigh the paltry savings from smuggling seeds.
Do a bit of reading on how much the US loses to, and spends on fighting, invasive species each year. Jamaica does not have those resources. Help out with the ounce of prevention!
They do tend to be called Habeneros, but are readily available at all the nurseries and garden stores here.Quote:
Originally Posted by BaileysMom
It is selfish and irresponsible to disregard these laws. Many devastating insects and diseases have been brought into our country by people who were oblivious to this...Dutch elm disease, spotted wing, emerald ash borer are just a few. Please be considerate of these laws, they are in place for a very good reason.
Habeneros and scotch bonnets are different and have different shapes.Quote:
Originally Posted by jon c.
Mine were labeled Scotch Bonnet. Didn't find any this year, just habaneros and serrano. The habs tingled my fingers when I picked them.
Why not just buy the seeds for your friends when you get to Jamaica? That would also help the local economy.Quote:
Originally Posted by newfiegirl59
or you could visit a plant nursery and get them a native fruit tree or flowering bush that they would have for years to come. There are several places to buy them in or near Negril .. check with your Jamaican friends for the location nearest them. A friend of mine in Negril purchased a mango tree that had been grafted to produce 3 different mangoes some 15 plus years ago and the tree is still producing a bumper crop each year.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gman
i>>>>...we still love you newfiegirl...:oQuote:
Originally Posted by Gman
ya i dont wont that jamaican weed...................with all those seeds invading >>no seed heaven...:cool: