Objective: Follow phytosanitary procedures to maintain clean stock until it has been transferred to the customer.
What to know: Cleanliness of nursery stock is your responsibility until the plants have been delivered to the customer. Plant stock should not be exposed to contamination during handling, transport, or delivery. In most situations, stock that has been removed from nursery for delivery or sale should not be returned to the nursery.
Best practices:
8.1. Workers should follow the phytosanitary protocols and principals already explained in this document to prevent contamination of plants as they are moved back and forth in vehicles or carts for delivery.
8.2. Place plants only on clean sanitized surfaces for transport. Do not move plants in unsanitized carts or wheelbarrows. Be sure to sanitize handles.
8.3. Clean paper or plastic sheeting can be used to provide a clean surface as long as these materials are intact.
8.4. Only plants that have been handled under phytosanitary conditions and maintained in clean vehicles can be considered for return to the nursery. Such material should be kept separate from other plants and not mixed back into clean production blocks. Plants delivered to clients or sites should not be returned to the nursery.
3/4/2021 - Added BMP 8.4