Country: Canada

Title: Update on the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) in Ontario - Canada.

Contact:
Ken Marchant, Network Specialist (Emerald Ash Borer) / Specialiste du reseau des programmes (agrile du frene), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) / Agence canadienne dinspection des aliments, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, e-mail/courriel: marchantk@inspect

Report: On October 4, 2007, inspectors from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) detected an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) at a private campground in Norfolk County, Ontario. The infested trees were found during routine CFIA survey activities. This is the first infestation of EAB to be detected in Norfolk County, which is adjacent to the regulated County of Elgin. The CFIA is investigating the origin of the infestation, and will continue to conduct intensive surveys in Norfolk County to determine whether EAB is present in other areas. Regulatory actions are pending for this latest find.

On October 15, 2007, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada approved the regulation of Middlesex County, Ontario, via a Ministerial Order, in order to slow the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Ontario. EAB is routinely regulated county-by-county as part of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's management plan, and is consistent with the U.S. approach.  The three 5-kilometer radius quarantine zones established earlier this year in London, Ontario (Middlesex County) will remain in effect.

There are currently five areas in South-western Ontario regulated by Ministerial Order for EAB: Essex County, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Lambton County, Elgin County, and Middlesex County.

Under IPPC Standards (e.g., ISPM No. 8), EAB is considered present (only in some areas of Ontario) and subject to official control in Canada. For more information on the EAB, please visit the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca.

Posted Date: Nov. 7, 2007, 10 a.m.