H.C.R. No. 47 Summary

• Requests the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to expeditiously adopt a permanent rule restricting importation of plants in the Myrtaceae family to prevent introduction of new strains of Puccinia psidii rust fungus.

• Urges the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to favorably review and act upon Hawaii's Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis petition regarding Puccinia psidii with all due haste.

• Identifies Puccinia psidii rust as a significant threat to native ōhia forests (approximately 80% of Hawaii's native forest), endangered species habitat, fresh water resources, and agricultural and horticultural industries.

• Notes that although one strain of Puccinia psidii is currently established in Hawaii, other strains known to exist elsewhere could have particularly virulent impacts on ōhia and other Myrtaceae family plants.

• Directs transmission of certified copies to the Governor, Attorney General, Board of Agriculture, Board of Land and Natural Resources, congressional delegation, USDA, APHIS Administrator, Department of Interior, and Fish and Wildlife Service.