Living shamrock forbidden entry to US

The US embassy has clarified the position on the importation of shamrock, following reports that Irish shamrock could not be brought into the US.

A spokeswoman said living shamrock was forbidden entry to the US but cut shamrock and seeds could be brought in, subject to import inspections. Living plants from the fabaceae family, which includes the shamrock, have been banned for some time.

Mr Sandro Cafolla, owner of the Irish plant company Design by Nature, pointed out that, in a few cases, living plants could be imported if they met strict conditions, including being certified disease-free; coming from a country of disease-free origin; and being passed by the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

The US embassy spokeswoman said that regulations for living plants were extremely strict to avoid the introduction of foreign plant diseases in the US. "Sometimes you even see agricultural inspections between states within the US," she said.

Cut shamrock, free from roots and soil, can be imported or brought into the US without a permit, but it is subject to import inspections. Similarly, shamrock seed can be imported without a permit but is also subject to inspection for compliance with the Federal Seed Act, the spokeswoman said.

Supplying shamrock for St Patrick's Day has grown into a big business for Design for Life. The Carlow company now exports enough seed to the US to grow three million plants every year.

Meanwhile, people have been urged to remember the tradition. "We remember putting up Christmas trees, which is a German tradition, and the shamrock really is the emblem of Ireland, along with the harp," said Mr James O'Leary of Irish Plants International on RTÉ yesterday.