MIAMI — Throughout the five-week government shutdown, one essential government service continued at Miami International Airport: checking for exotic bugs in bunches of roses destined for Valentine’s Day bouquets. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture inspectors kept up their round-the-clock inspections without pay just as the pre-holiday rush of flower imports started to peak. Border Protection agriculture specialists check those goods by hand, stem by stem, for stowaways that could threaten U.S. crops. Valentine’s Day is the No. The roses begin arriving in Miami soon after New Year’s Day, and the push continues through Valentine’s Day.

Source: National Post February 13, 2019 06:11 UTC