Country: Canada

Title: Golden Nematode - Update on the Canadian Situation

Contact:
Alain Boucher, National Manager, Potato Cyst Nematode Emergency Section, Plant Health Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Moncton, New Brunswick, bouchera@inspection.gc.ca

Report: Golden Nematode (Globodera rostochiensis) and Pale Cyst Nematode (Globodera pallida) are two species of Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN). Both species are considered quarantine pests to Canada and are regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). In Canada, the presence of Golden Nematode has only been detected in Newfoundland, and in small areas of Vancouver Island (Saanich) and Quebec (Saint-Amable). As well, Pale Cyst Nematode is only present in a small area of Newfoundland. Strict quarantine measures remain in place and have been successful in suppressing and controlling the pests for more than 40 years.

Following the detection of PCN in Idaho and Quebec in 2006, Canada and the United States (US) agreed on joint guidelines for phytosanitary actions. As a result, Canada and the US also established a joint PCN surveillance program, which at present requires soil sampling and testing of all fields associated with seed potatoes traded between both countries. The enhanced PCN surveillance program was introduced in March 2006 and will continue in the future.

During the PCN surveillance associated with the 2007 potato crop, CFIA has identified the presence of Golden nematode cysts in two soil samples from two farms in Alberta. Immediate phytosanitary measures were implemented to contain and delimit the possible infestation. Containment measures include movement restrictions on plants, soil and farm equipment for both suspect farms and the associated land. At this point, the CFIA is unable to confirm PCN presence from the additional 610 investigative soil samples collected in the two suspect fields.  The remaining 2,719 soil samples collected from Alberta seed potato fields intended for shipping to the US were also analysed on a priority basis. The presence of PCN was not detected in these samples. While the investigation will continue, further sampling and testing will be necessary to confirm the presence of a PCN infestation.

Under IPPC standards, the Golden nematode is considered to be present, only in some areas of Canada (as specified above), and subject to official controls.

Posted Date: Nov. 23, 2007, 9 a.m.