OTTAWA, Jan. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - To slow the spread of emerald ash borer into new parts of Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is expanding areas regulated to control emerald ash borer to include the city of Thunder Bay in Ontario, as well as the Municipalités Régionales de Comtés of Joliette and D'Autray in Quebec.

It is prohibited to move firewood of all species, as well as ash trees, ash nursery stock or ash wood (including wood chips, wood packaging or dunnage), out of this area without written permission from the CFIA. Moving these materials from the regulated area without permission could lead to fines and/or prosecution.

Because emerald ash borer can spread across long distances, the public can play a key part in helping to control the spread of emerald ash borer by not moving potentially infested materials.

The CFIA will continue its surveillance, regulatory, enforcement and communications activities to slow the spread of emerald ash borer.  The CFIA also continues to work with federal, provincial and municipal governments in the development and deployment of biological control agents for emerald ash borer.

We all have a responsibility to protect Canada's forests.

Associated links

Plant pests and invasive species

Quick Facts

• The expanded areas include the city of Thunder Bay in Ontario, and the Municipalités Régionales de Comtés of Joliette and D'Autray in Quebec.
• The CFIA establishes regulated areas to restrict the movement of potentially infested plants and wood items to new areas where the pest has not been found.
• Since being discovered in North America in 2002, EAB has killed a significant number of ash trees in Canada and the United States and has cost tens of millions of dollars to home owners, governments, and industry.

SOURCE Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

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