By Vermont State Statute, the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets have jurisdiction over plans for the survey, detection, and management of agricultural plant pests, and the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation over plans for the survey, detection, and management of forest pests.

The Secretary and/or Commissioner may conduct detection and abundance surveys for plant pests of an injurious nature that may be present in the state to determine the necessity for establishing control practices. When it is determined that a new injurious plant pest exists within the state or that an established pest requires control and the nature of the pest dictates immediate action, he or she may proceed with a plan of eradication or suppression. They may also establish and maintain quarantines and adopt other orders and rules pursuant to 3 V.S.A. Chapter 25 concerning the planting, exposing, sale, importation and transportation of all plants and plant products and regulated articles capable of carrying plant pests of an injurious nature in any living stage within the state.

In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), is responsible for pests entering the United States and for interstate pest quarantines.

Several state and federal quarantines are currently in effect which inpact forestry and the forest products industry in Vermont. Check the links below for details and specific regulations:

Pest Survey, Detection and Management Law: VSA 6 Chapter 34

State Nursery Inspection and Pest Survey Regulations

Nursery Inspection Regulations

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Pine Shoot Beetle

Federal Regulations

Pine Shoot Beetle

Gypsy Moth

General Information

VT Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, Forest Health, Insect & Disease Page

Forest Pests of Concern in Vermont

USDA APHIS Plant Health Fact Sheets

For More Information Contact:

Chief of Forest Resource Protection, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, (802) 241-3676

Scott Pfister, Vermont Agency of Agriculture (802) 828-3481

USDA, APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Vermont Office,
(802) 828-4490