Web alert: Asian Gypsy Moths

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has advised that the high risk period for Asian Gypsy Moths commenced on 1 March 2015.

The attached CFIA Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) Notice for the 2015 season, which remains unchanged from 2014, sets out the steps that must be taken by vessel agents prior to entering Western Canadian ports. Vessels which do not comply with the advance notification and certification procedures will be considered non-compliant and subject to enforcement action.

Members should instruct crews to maintain good ship cleaning practices such as minimising rust, storing excess equipment and clearing debris from the outer decks of vessels, as this will help reduce the chance of AGM infestation while in regulated areas.

Please note that all marine vessels entering Canada must be free from all life stages of AGM. Upon inspection, if an inspector is not satisfied that the risk of introducing AGM can be mitigated, the vessel will be ordered out of Canadian waters and refused entry for up to two years during the AGM risk period for Canada or until the ship is deemed compliant.

The policy (D-95-03) is available online.