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Eddyz@efirehose.net

Well it seems as though we are getting more regulations and restrictions.

As I have done seeds from all over and am in the process of getting everything into the down under countries, we will be facing another hurdle.

In the future, I will only be able to send my own seeds. I will no longer be able to send seeds from other growers.

So this is going to be the last run for me.

All Europe seeds for the US and south pacific will not be allowed
All auction seeds from Canada to the US and south pacific will not be allowed.

Sorry about this but shit like this sucks

We are still on course with all down under seeds and I am in the process of getting all inspections done with paper work and should be in the mail in the next couple weeks
will keep you posted here.

7/4/2016 10:59:44 AM

Tasmania , Australia

Thankyou Eddy for this recent information and we shall sit tight for the much awaited seeds.. Great effort by you and we could only imagine the hurdles and headaches.. Cheers Shane..

7/5/2016 9:25:03 AM

nsw Australia.

yeh, my sentiments exactly speedy. your a good man eddie; regards-Garry,

7/6/2016 4:30:02 AM

nsw Australia.

please note the name change, i used to be captain caveman

7/6/2016 4:31:10 AM

Tasmania Australia

Yes, same here, just hoping the ones coming do make it through.
Cheers, Peter.

7/6/2016 5:35:35 PM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi too all Australian growers, just checking too see if anyone has seen or received any of their seeds that were coming into the Country from Eddy Iceman or the Quarantine or Biosecurity? I noticed that the New Zealanders received their seeds about a week and a half ago... Any news would be gladly appreciated... Cheers Speedy...

8/22/2016 12:38:35 AM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

So as far as I understand, and because everything is NEW to the system, everything should be processed this coming week. What does that mean? hope it means delivery
Here is all the tracking numbers I have but nothing has been updated
LX011307565CA 2016/08/12 / 12:57 Item successfully delivered

Tracked Packet - International
LX011307551CA 2016/08/11 / 14:10
International item is in transit to the delivery office.

Tracked Packet - International LX011307548CA
2016/08/11 / 07:01 Item has arrived in foreign country

Tracked Packet - International LX011307582CA
2016/08/11 / 07:01 Item has arrived in foreign country

Tracked Packet - International LX011307596CA
2016/08/11 / 07:01 Item has arrived in foreign country

Tracked Packet - International LX011307525CA
2016/08/10 / 17:40 International item is in transit to the delivery office.

Tracked Packet - International LX011307579CA
2016/08/10 / 05:05 International shipment has arrived in a foreign country

Tracked Packet - International LX011307605CA
2016/08/10 / 05:05 International shipment has arrived in a foreign country

Tracked Packet - International LX011307619CA
2016/08/10 / 05:05 International shipment has arrived in a foreign country

Tracked Packet - International LX011307534CA
2016/08/08 / 14:34 Item has been sent to customs in the destination country

Tracked Packet - International

8/22/2016 12:45:31 AM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

Tracking is through Canada Post

8/22/2016 12:46:53 AM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi Eddy and thankyou mate for the update! Sounds like the seeds are sitting in our Country somewhere.. Thanks again for the peace of mind though and we shall just sit tight until we can get them in the ground.. It is so much appreciated what you have done for us Aussies and all the other growers around the world.. Cheers Speedy

8/22/2016 2:22:19 AM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

Latest update
We are hitting a few road blocks, seems as though we are going down the same road as we did for New Zealand, and that is that with new laws, comes hesitation. I am aware of at least one letter stating the seeds do not meet Bio Security and will not be delivered.
This happened with New Zealand also. I was able to get the seeds returned and we reduo the process. So if you get a letter PLEASE PLEASE get me a contact person and phone number so I can get the CFIA to contact the directly and we may be able to expedite this process.

8/23/2016 10:41:28 AM

South Hero, VT

Eddy, thanks again for your diligence, time, and money spent to get seeds to Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania.

I'm looking forward to seeing people achieving personal bests, national records, and the first 1 ton pumpkin "down under".

8/23/2016 12:12:47 PM

Tasmania Australia

Cheers Eddy, very much appreciate all the hard work you are doing to get the seeds to their destinations.
Appreciated.

8/23/2016 7:00:44 PM

Australia

Thanks eddy for all your great work. I just received a letter today saying the package didn't meet bio security, therefore won't be delivered.
I will e mail you the contact numbers.

8/23/2016 9:47:11 PM

Australia

Thanks eddy for all your great work. I just received a letter today saying the package didn't meet bio security, therefore won't be delivered.
I will e mail you the contact numbers.

8/23/2016 9:55:31 PM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi Blue Silver, have you received a letter stating that seeds did not meet biosecurity ? Or furthermore have you received a consignment of seeds?. As stated their where 5 packages to Australia, 4 packages too New Zealand and 1 package too Tasmania.. Who is the Tasmanian recipient, you me ?? I have not received a notice at present.. There is a number here for Eddy too ring the head lady in Sydney gateway.. Elaina ph 02 833 475 38

8/24/2016 12:24:46 AM

nsw Australia.

yeh, me too, i got a letter saying the same; i rang them up and got onto one woman who seemed to be on an ego trip and after some conversation she gave me a number to call, and this lady was much better, and is trying to help;
her name is alaina, and can be contacted on o2-83347538
she would be the one to speak to because she is a bit higher up than the first one. you may get a message line, but she will call back; best of luck. regards-garry.

8/24/2016 12:29:52 AM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi VT Steve, totally agree with your comments regarding Eddy.. He sure is a Bonza guy and hopefully if the seeds make it through then we can reward the effort made by Eddy with some personal bests!!

8/24/2016 12:31:37 AM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

I will be in touch in the AM as it's 11 pm here now. Will wait for the gov office here to open. We will prevail and hopefully, sooner than later.
This is exactly what happened to New Zealand and other than seeds getting mixed up, they at least made it. If I can find out what the hold up is, as we have communicated several times and we were pretty sure we had all our ducks in a row and even got a clearance for sending more seeds next year. I can send more seeds immediately to get you guys in the ground for sure if these get returned to me. I have enough here, but need to find out WHY first
Will post tomorrow after we call
Eddy

8/24/2016 1:05:06 AM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi Eddy, sounds good mate and look forward too hearing what you find out.. Speedy..

8/24/2016 1:39:05 AM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi Eddy, just a quick question mate in regard too if and when the seeds may finally get through customs to their destinations.. That is who is the recipient for the only Tasmanian package consignment??... The reason that I ask this is there seems or appears to be other growers from Tassie that maybe expecting seeds? I have tried to contact some of these people however have miss placed their emails..

8/24/2016 6:54:30 AM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

Tasmania has one package and it was to be split up there and I sent it to Shane

8/24/2016 10:01:54 AM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi Eddy thankyou for the clarification mate and good luck today with your inquiries. Speedy ( Shane)

8/24/2016 5:53:51 PM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi Eddy I did forget too say that I have found the emails from the other Tassie growers.. So all good there in regard for re distributing the seeds.. Speedy..

8/24/2016 6:12:15 PM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

So have some not too good news for today anyway. I have had a very pleasant conversation with Alainia from the inspection facility in Sydney and after listening to her explanation of the issue, I can say that I missed a step from my end here. I needed to clarify the inspection of a specific mosaic virus and I didn't.
So where do we go from here?? I have now set up a direct line of communication with her and will be receiving all the FIELD requirements needed to get seeds into Australia and Tasmania. We followed the office requirements and they are not always the same.
Once this is in place, we will do a TEST run, and make sure all is good. We will also be doing only one package in the future as per her recommendation and then all seeds can be distributed to the growers, Different from New Zealand as they prefer singles.
So once I have all her info I will get things moving from this end.
She will also get all the bubbles together and have them returned to me so we won't loose any seeds.
I will do my absolute best to get this turned around ASAP and crossing my fingers, I can get seeds to you before planting time
my apologies to all, but I will not stop until we have conquered this
Eddy

8/24/2016 7:08:28 PM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi Eddy, you are a tiger that is for sure! We shall sit back and wait for your notifications regarding the seeds to Tassie or Australia.. I did have a question regarding the seeds and Gary Smith could clarify this better.. That is I did hear one of the Biosecuriy ladies playing about with the seeds, that is was running them through her hands etc and goodness knows how many packages that there was undone at this time?!.. These Authorities need too be made aware that their are different genetics of these seeds and that they are NOT too be mixed up or played about with out of there individual packages.. Hope that this makes sense... Ps good news that the seeds will be returned too you safely and not destroyed.. Cheers Speedy ( Shane)

8/24/2016 8:54:01 PM

Queensland, Australia

Hello Eddy. As far as I'm aware seeds sent to mainland Australia CAN NOT be posted by us to TASMANIA or WESTERN AUSTRALIA. Those states will probably still need to be sent separately. http://www.quarantinedomestic.gov.au/destination-tasmania.html

8/24/2016 9:45:38 PM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

Mariel I will for sure determine that and if in fact that is the case, we will do it right
Shane, she mentioned that to me also, and I pretty much couldn't believe it BUT I was reassured they understood the genetic trail and they were put back in the same envelope.
I will color code seeds and packages FOR SURE just to eliminate any doubt.

The reason we are getting the seeds back because they understand the importance of the lineage
If it's OK with you Shane, can I use you for the tests as Alainia knows you or of you and this will certainly help

8/24/2016 10:36:42 PM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi Eddy, yes mate that is fine to use me for the tests!.. I also put my hand up for the Tasmanian recipient of the seeds... I think Gary Smith is going to put his hand up too be the go to man for the Australian seeds and then re distribute them accordingly..

8/24/2016 11:26:39 PM

Tasmania , Australia

That is I think two packages might be the way too go?

8/24/2016 11:27:35 PM

nsw Australia.

well, that is good news. i can't believe all the crap that a couple of these people put me through trying to explain our point. i am sure glad that i finally got onto alaina.
i'm so pleased with all your efforts eddie, and thank you so much; the first woman i spoke to, when she said they weren't allowed, i said to her, at least, if we can't have them, could she please make sure they went back to the sender, and she said that i would have to pay $95 to have them returned. anyhow eddie, we will have to get our heads together, and see how we can return the favour to you; as far as sending seeds to one person to distribute,
i have been talking to shane, and he is happy to distribute the seeds in tasmania, and i will be prepaird to do the same in australia. that would be easy for you if you reckon that is o.k.

8/24/2016 11:29:02 PM

nsw Australia.

just one more point, i have sent seeds to shane before, so it might still be o.k. regards-garry

8/24/2016 11:31:08 PM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi Eddy just a thought and I don't mind doing this if it helps?.. That is if the seeds come directly too me then I don't mind posting back out of Tassie to the rest of mainland Australia seeds.. I am willing to do this as I know most of the growers and good friends with them all anyhow.. Speedy ( Shane)

8/24/2016 11:36:40 PM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

As soon as I get everything from Alaina I will do a mass email to all concerned and we can go from there and make a determination as our next and best moves.
As for the $95.00 to return, Yes that is what the first lady also told me, Alaina did say it may be $95.00 but that would be for all packages sent back together, which I have no issues with. A whole lot better that $95 X 6. Once she rounds them all up, she will contact me with those logistics.

also, When is the drop dead date for germinating down there???

8/24/2016 11:56:45 PM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi Eddy, When you find out from Alaina the bill then please just inform us and I shall gladly fix the funds for you mate. The latest germination down here in Tasmania for our weigh offs would be the 20th September and if pushing things maybe the 30th September?..

8/25/2016 12:06:07 AM

nsw Australia.

hi Eddie, i agree with Shane, i will gladly help out with the costs you have incurred. we will all be pleased when this is all over, and you can get back to some normality;
the latest we will be able to put our seeds in would be around the middle of september, our competition is on january 21st; we know that you are doing all you can, so we will just wait to hear from you again. garry

8/25/2016 5:56:08 PM

Tasmania Australia

Nice work there Eddy,
Really do appreciate all the running around this must be creating.
Speedy, Cheers, i am the other one in Tasmania on the list for seeds, just got your email. (Peter)

8/25/2016 5:58:07 PM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

Update
I know for some of you this seems slow, But as with everything, its takes time
First of all an explanation as to the testing for a specific Mosaic virus.
Last year there was an order of seeds enter Australia from a Canadian source and the plants ended up being infested with the green Cucumber Mosaic virus, and with these seeds coming from Canada, I need to get this specific test done to the level of the Australian government. This was the stumbling block and even though we have accredited testing labs close to me, the only one that does this extended test is the University of Guelph in Ontario. I do have the option to have the tests done in Australia, but that scenario is very expensive. The testing lab in Australia quoted me $2000.00 dollars and they will destroy 20% of the seeds in the test, My Canadian contact will do it for $80.00 and I can send duplicate seeds for testing,
So we are in the process of going that route.
The Guelph facility is now confirming the exact testing procedure as required, which was sent via Alaina. so we are moving forward.
Secondly as far as Tasmania: here is a part of the email I received from Alaina:
Hi Eddy,

Thank You for your response.
Tasmania is part of Australia, and the same import conditions apply. There is no requirement to separate the seed.

Regards,
Alaina
Plant Inspection Services | Central East Region

One last thing for now. Seeds are on there way back to me now
Eddy

9/8/2016 10:27:26 AM

nsw Australia.

hi Eddie, thanks for the update. it is good to know how you are going with it.i'll say again, thanks for everything you are going through. cheers, Garry.

9/8/2016 4:32:22 PM

Tasmania , Australia

Hi Eddy, thankyou Eddy for the recent information and good too hear that we are making progress.. We look forward too future updates and what else that we may need to do down here in Tassie too assist you with your efforts.. Ps Congratulations on your 1103 pounder at the Washington State fair weigh off!

9/8/2016 8:16:58 PM