April 2023
Emilie Inoue, Plant Health Team Lead, Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Elizabeth Spinney, Forest Protection Section, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation
Vermont’s Noxious Weeds Quarantine rule was adopted in 2002, and most recently amended in 2012, and is implemented by the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets under its statutory authority. The rule regulates the importation, movement, sale, possession, cultivation, and/or distribution of certain plants known to adversely impact the economy, environment, or human or animal health. The rule also establishes a Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Advisory Committee (VIEPAC) to advise the Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets on matters related to the addition and deletion of plant species to the noxious weed list.
The VIEPAC is required to, at least once per year, review and make recommendations for additions to, or deletions from, the noxious weed lists, (Class A and Class B) by conducting pest risk assessments for plant species identified and selected by the committee. At the Secretary’s discretion, the noxious weeds recommended by the committee may be added to either the A or B list of prohibited species, rejected for addition, or sent back to the committee for further evaluation and review. The advisory committee held their inaugural meeting on March 23rd, 2023.
Check out the VTinvasives.org gallery of invasives to learn more about regulated aquatic and terrestrial invasive plants, and the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets website to learn more about the rule and process.