The emerald ash borer (EAB) was detected for the first time in North America in the summer of 2002 in Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. By the end of the 2012, its presence has been confirmed in 27 Ontario counties, and in seven areas in Quebec. Pest infestations such as that of EAB are dynamic and it is essential that the CFIA’s regulatory approach is reviewed periodically, and adjusted as appropriate, in order to ensure that risk-mitigation and resource usage are effective and appropriate.
Due to the continuing spread of EAB in Ontario and Quebec, it is clear that the previous federal emergency response approach is ineffective and no longer feasible. As the pest continues its spread, despite initial aggressive eradication efforts and the later ‘slow-the-spread’ management approach, the regulatory approach requires amendment. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) therefore proposed two options for the continued management of EAB, both with the goal to continue slowing its spread in Canada, including to unregulated parts of Ontario and Quebec. Stakeholders subsequently proposed an additional option for consideration.
The CFIA has consulted with affected provinces and municipalities on the different options and has taken the decision to expand and consolidate the regulated areas to include high risk corridors that represent more accurately the expected distribution of the pest.The emerald ash borer (EAB) was detected for the first time in North America in the summer of 2002 in Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan. By the end of the 2012, its presence has been confirmed in 27 Ontario counties, and in seven areas in Quebec. Pest infestations such as that of EAB are dynamic and it is essential that the CFIA’s regulatory approach is reviewed periodically, and adjusted as appropriate, in order to ensure that risk-mitigation and resource usage are effective and appropriate.
Due to the continuing spread of EAB in Ontario and Quebec, it is clear that the previous federal emergency response approach is ineffective and no longer feasible. As the pest continues its spread, despite initial aggressive eradication efforts and the later ‘slow-the-spread’ management approach, the regulatory approach requires amendment. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) therefore proposed two options for the continued management of EAB, both with the goal to continue slowing its spread in Canada, including to unregulated parts of Ontario and Quebec. Stakeholders subsequently proposed an additional option for consideration.
The CFIA has consulted with affected provinces and municipalities on the different options and has taken the decision to expand and consolidate the regulated areas to include high risk corridors that represent more accurately the expected distribution of the pest.
download entire report here. CFIA EAB report 2013_EN[1]-1