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Archived - Policy Clarification: Canadian Asian Gypsy Moth Requirements

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January 23, 2017

Asian gypsy moth (AGM) is a serious plant pest that can be carried on ships and cargo. AGM populations are prevalent in some seaport areas in Far East Russia, Japan, Korea, and Northern China, and those areas are regulated for AGM. If introduced, AGM could have significant negative impacts on the North American agriculture, forestry and environment sectors, commerce that relies on those sectors, and access of Canadian products to foreign markets.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has received questions from the shipping industry regarding the inclusion of bunkering locations in the areas regulated for AGM. This memorandum clarifies that inspection and certification for AGM is required if vessels have called on those areas during the specified risk period. The Canadian AGM policy does not exempt bunkering locations – including those at anchorage sites – from this requirement.

While the AGM policy does not exempt bunkering locations, a concession was provided to ships bunkering at anchorage in a few regulated ports in Korea where there had been reports that AGM inspection services could not be obtained at certain times of the year. This concession was provided to vessels visiting a port in Korea exclusively to bunker at anchorage. The CFIA has confirmed with the National Plant Protection Organizations in all areas regulated for AGM that inspection and certification services can be delivered at all locations regulated for AGM, including bunkering sites at anchor.

Vessels should obtain inspection and certification from all locations in the regulated area, including when bunkering at anchorage within these areas.

For full details on the Canadian AGM requirements, please refer to D-95-03: Plant protection policy for marine vessels arriving in Canada from areas regulated for Asian Gypsy moth.

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