Photo: Ivy-smothered tree, Glenda Booth
Under a new law, the General Assembly has directed the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to prepare a brochure that explains the value of native plants and the harm from noxious weeds and other invasive plants. The brochure is for use by retail establishments that sell plants. The new law also requires the Department to post information on how to get more information about noxious weeds and invasive plants on its website and to work with “industry stakeholders” to promote distribution of the brochure.
Invasive Porcelain Berry Vine, Glenda Booth
The bill the General Assembly passed evolved from a bill introduced by Delegate Paul Krizek, HB 314, which required VDACS to develop a model sign for retail vendors that explains the value of native plants and the harm of invasive plants and a model label that could be used for the sale of plants. The House of Delegates approved a substitute bill on a 99 to zero vote and the Senate, on a 39 to zero vote. Governor Glenn Youngkin signed it into law.
ASNV participated in a workgroup last year created by the General Assembly to prepare legislative recommendations to “reduce, mitigate and eliminate the continued sale and use of invasive species” that the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) identifies as invasive. The workgroup’s report made very few recommendations. Delegate David Bulova, the author of the bill that created the workgroup, introduced several bills this past session addressing invasive plants, but none of them advanced.
Proponents of the bills made several arguments. Having information at the point of sale is critical to educating consumers and to encouraging the purchase of native plants and avoidance of invasive plants. Many retail employees are not knowledgeable about native and invasive plants and thus provide limited guidance to consumers. VDACS has experience with educating the buying public as the administrator of the Virginia’s Finest program, which promotes Virginia food and beverage products.
The key to halting the spread of invasive plants, according to Chris Ludwig, former Chief Biologist, DCR Natural Heritage Division, is to (1) prevent the introduction of invasive plants and (2) control those that are here.
Although the workgroup’s report and the failure of several other bills are disappointing, at least Delegate Krizek’s bill became law. ASNVers should thank Delegates Krizek and Bulova for their efforts.