Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. Valentine’s Day Flowers Insect Free

Valentine’s Day Flowers Insect Free

Release Date
Fri, 02/13/2015

U. S. Customs and Border Protection in New York Ensures Valentine’s Day Bouquets are Free from Harmful Pests

JAMAICA, NY – Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists working at the New York area ports of entry are busy making sure that imported flowers used in Valentine’s Day bouquets are free from insects, pests and diseases that could harm the agricultural and floral industries of the United States. 

“Although imported Valentine’s Day flowers appear to be innocent, they can carry pests that could cause serious damage to U.S. agriculture and our natural resources,” said New York Field Operations Director, Robert E. Perez. “CBP Agriculture Specialists are the front line in the fight against the introduction of harmful insects and diseases in the United States”.

In 2014, CBP agriculture specialists in New York processed approximately 187,848,570 cut flowers from more than 30 countries; consisting of Orchids, Daisies, Lilies, Roses and mixed bouquets. 

At international ports of entry, land borders and mail facilities, CBP agriculture specialists are the front line in the fight against the introduction of harmful insects, pests and diseases into the United States. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021