Internet sales of plants for planting – an increasing trend and threat?1

The sale of plants for planting on the Internet and by other direct marketing methods (e.g. newspaper offers) has increased dramatically in recent years. Some companies are specialist suppliers in this area and typically with this trade small quantities of plants are sent by mail to a very large number of amateur growers scattered throughout the UK. It is often difficult for the NPPO to keep track of this activity especially when the supplier is located outside its jurisdiction. Also if problems arise with plants sold in this way, taking effective official eradicatory action can be problematic. To demonstrate the issues and problems involved, two examples that occurred in the UK in 2008 are described.