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Bureau of Farm Products
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Division of Regulatory ServicesBureau of Farm Products & Plant IndustriesMassachusetts Prohibited Plants The Department of Agricultural Resources (The Department) bans the importation and sale of more than 140 plants identified as either noxious and/or invasive in the Commonwealth. The Department derives its authority to take this action under Massachusetts General Law including but not limited to, Chapter 128 Section 2 and sections 16 through 31A. Links and Press Release on ban (below):
PRESS RELEASE As of January 1st, 2006, the Department will begin a two-step ban on the importation and sale of more than 140 plants identified as either noxious and/or invasive in the Commonwealth. The list of plants has been in development for three years in collaboration with a number of agricultural organizations including Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) and the Massachusetts Invasive Plants Advisory Group (MIPAG). During the extensive public comment and review period, time lines were established for implementing the ban. As a result, some of these plants will still be available for purchase after they have been excluded from importation, but within the next three years, any remaining plants will be phased out (The complete list with additional information on applicable dates is available 'HERE' ). MIPAG is a collaboration of government, industry and environmental organizations concerned with invasive plants. The MIPAG list is a product of scientific analysis, and represents the scientific consensus of groups and individuals with a broad range of perspectives on the subject of invasive plants. As a result of this collaboration, the list of 140 plants to be prohibited from “sale, trade, distribution, and related activities,” contains exceptions for 14 species. These 14 species are commonly sold as ornamental plants. In order to minimize the financial impacts on Massachusetts agricultural businesses, DAR is proposing the gradual phase-out allowing an extension until January 1, 2007 for herbaceous species, and an extension until January 1, 2009 for woody species. In addition, The Department proposes to allow the importation, sale, trade, and related activities of listed plants after obtaining a permit when there is a significant public benefit in doing so; and, where the risks posed by these species can be adequately controlled, e.g. for research and/or education purposes. The ban does not impact any existing plantings for any of the listed species, but is limited to the importation, sale, trade, distribution and related activities, of these plants.
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News and Features
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Final Prohibited Plant List - 
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