Early in the 1900's, white pine blister rust became a serious disease problem in the United States
White pine blister rust requires both a Ribes species and white pine to complete its life cycle
In an attempt to prevent the spread of white pine blister rust, the federal government banned the planting and cultivation of currants and gooseberries early in the twentieth century
The federal government lifted the ban in 1966 and there are now currants and gooseberries that are resistant to white pine blister rust