Canada requires apple moth inspections

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency now requires an inspection and phytosanitary certificate of all unrooted and rooted plants, nursery stock and greenhouse plant imports from the United States. The regulations were implemented in an effort to keep the light brown apple moth (LBAM) out of the country.

With a host range of more than 250 plants, LBAM is an invasive pest that does not naturally occur in North America. It has no known natural enemies in North America and, once established, it can be difficult to eradicate.

USDA previously implemented controls regulating the interstate and intrastate movement of LBAM host material originating in regulated areas of California and the entire state of Hawaii.

Canada exports more than $2.7 billion in LBAM host materials worldwide annually, some of which are shipped to countries that regulate LBAM hosts, according to the agency. The introduction of LBAM to Canada could threaten fruit production and the greenhouse and nursery industries, as there is a significant risk of LBAM surviving throughout winter in Canada in protected greenhouse environments, the agency reported.

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For more: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, (613) 225-2342; www.inspection.gc.ca.