Official Pest Report
Official Pest Reports are provided by National Plant Protection Organizations within the NAPPO region. These Pest Reports are intended to comply with the International Plant Protection Convention's Standard on Pest Reporting, endorsed by the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures in March 2002.
European Larch Canker (ELC) (Lachnellula willkommii) - Five townships in Maine added to the quarantine area
European Larch Canker (ELC) (Lachnellula willkommii) - Five townships in Maine added to the quarantine area
Country: United States
Title: European Larch Canker (ELC) (Lachnellula willkommii) - Five townships in Maine added to the quarantine area
Contact:
Paul Chaloux, ELC National Program Manager, (301) 734-0917
Report:
Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is expanding the ELC-quarantine area in Maine to include the Townships of Beddington, Boothbay, South Bristol, T24 Middle Division Bingham’s Penobscot Purchase, and T25 Middle Division Bingham’s Penobscot Purchase. This action is being taken in response to the detection of ELC in townships adjacent to the Townships of Beddington, Boothbay, South Bristol, T24 Middle Division Bingham’s Penobscot Purchase, and T25 Middle Division Bingham’s Penobscot Purchase, in order to maintain a one township ELC-free buffer in the quarantine area.
APHIS will work closely with the State of Maine to carry-out delimiting survey work around infested sites. The Federal Order establishes these townships as quarantined areas in order to prevent further spread of ELC. Effective immediately, all interstate movement of ELC- regulated articles from the Townships of Beddington, Boothbay, South Bristol, T24 Middle Division Bingham’s Penobscot Purchase, and T25 Middle Division Bingham’s Penobscot Purchase must be handled in accordance with the Federal Order. Due to the establishment of parallel quarantine areas by Maine, only the townships with ELC and the immediate, adjacent townships will be established as quarantined areas and placed under phytosanitary controls.
ELC was first detected in Maine in 1981 and is now known to be present in five counties in Maine. The disease is caused by an invasive fungus causing mortality and dieback of mature and immature trees in the genus Larix (larch, tamarack, and hackmatack). APHIS is working with the State of Maine to conduct surveys and regulatory and public outreach activities in order to mitigate the impacts of ELC.
Under IPPC Standards, Lachnellula willkommii is considered to be a pest that is present: only in some areas in Maine in the United States.
Posted Date: May 28, 2010, 9 a.m.