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Emerald Ash Borer - Latest Information

November 6, 2006

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed that two ash trees in London, Ontario, are infested with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). This find was discovered during routine CFIA surveillance for EAB and is the first confirmation of the pest in Middlesex County.
• Movement restrictions will be implemented on the properties where EAB was found and all properties in a five-kilometre radius. These restrictions are necessary to stop the movement of firewood or other potentially-infested materials which may harbour the insect.

June 30, 2006

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced today that it is taking actions to slow the spread of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) to non-infested areas by implementing Ministerial Orders under the Plant Protection Act that regulate the movement of ash wood and wood products and firewood of all species in Lambton and Elgin counties.
• Regulated areas are established to allow the CFIA to maintain and enforce restrictions on the movement of potentially infested materials out of areas where EAB has been found. Regulated materials can be freely moved within a regulated area, but cannot be moved outside of a regulated area without prior written permission from the CFIA. Any person who violates these prohibitions or restrictions of movement may be subject to a fine and/or liable to prosecution.

April 26, 2006

Ash Tree Removal

• The CFIA has recently contracted removal of approximately 300 ash trees in Elgin County in support of a Canadian Forest Service (CFS) research initiative to study the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
• Tree removal began on March 14, 2006 and concluded on March 24, 2006. Trees identified by the CFS were measured, evaluated and cut into sections before being taken to a designated CFS laboratory for processing, data collection and further study.

Ash Tree Surveys

Elgin County

• Inspectors are continuing to conduct visual surveys in the county to detect any EAB populations that may exist. To date, the only known infestations have been found within one kilometre of the Dutton area 401 service stations.

Lambton County

• Inspectors in Lambton County have re-surveyed the county, working a grid-type survey outside of St. Clair County in Lambton. No new infestations have been found in the county since August 2005.

Municipality of Chatham-Kent

• Surveys in Chatham-Kent have revealed additional EAB infested trees in the area west of Highway 21. Survey data suggests the infestation in Chatham-Kent is not connected to the infestation in Elgin County.

Middlesex County

• CFIA inspectors have begun conducting ash tree ground surveys in woodlots in Middlesex County. Thus far, the EAB has not been detected in the area.

EAB Regulated Areas

Essex County

• The County of Essex continues to be regulated by the Government of Canada under the Emerald Ash Borer Infested Places Order 2004. Under this Ministerial Order, the removal of firewood of all species and ash tree materials including nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber and wood with bark attached, wood chips or bark chips from ash trees from Essex County is prohibited by law without the written approval of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Municipality of Chatham-Kent

• The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is regulated under the Emerald Ash Borer Infested Places Order 2004. Under this Ministerial Order, the removal of firewood of all species and ash tree materials including nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber and wood with bark attached, wood chips or bark chips from ash trees from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is prohibited by law without the written approval of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Lambton County

• Property owners in St. Clair Township who have been issued Notices of Quarantine are being reminded that ash materials and firewood of all species may not be removed from their properties.
• It is an offence under the Plant Protection Act to move these articles unless permission has first been obtained in writing from the CFIA.
•  In order to slow the spread of EABwithin Lambton, the CFIA is requesting that loggers and members of the public not move ash forest products and nursery stock as well as firewood of all species within or from the County.

Elgin County

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has established a quarantine area in Elgin County to prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer.
• Notices of Quarantine have been issued to the affected property owners in the municipalities of Dutton-Dunwich and West Elgin. The Notices are being issued as legal notification that ash materials and firewood of all species may not be moved from the property.
• It is an offence under the Plant Protection Act to move these articles unless permission has first been obtained in writing from the CFIA.
• The CFIA has requested that loggers and members of the public not move ash forest products and nursery stock as well as firewood of all species within or from the County to prevent the unnatural spread of the EAB.

The CFIA needs the help, cooperation and support of the public, and is reminding people that movement of firewood and regulated articles out of the Regulated Areas in Southwestern Ontario is strictly regulated.

Compensation Regulations

The CFIA continues to support tree replanting initiatives for those property owners who replace trees ordered removed to control the spread of the EAB. Compensation is provided on the basis of the direct cost of replacing and replanting a tree up to a maximum amount of $300 per tree on private property, $150 per tree on public property and $40 per tree in woodlots. All tree species and genera, other than ash, can be used as replacement trees.

Approximately 300 claims have been processed to date. To receive compensation, property owners must have received a "Notice to Dispose", had the ash trees removed, and submitted a completed application form to the CFIA on or before December 31, 2007. The forms are available from the CFIA’s Essex office at 1-866-463-6017.

January 19, 2006

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has continued surveying for EAB in Lambton County, Chatham-Kent and Elgin Counties as well as high-risk sites in Middlesex and Haldimand-Norfolk Counties.

Upon the detection of EAB in Lambton in August 2005, five kilometre quarantine zones were implemented around infested sites along the St, Clair River and in Elgin County at Dutton. They will remain in place indefinitely. Movement of ash materials and firewood within and from these areas is regulated, in order to slow the spread of the pest.

Consultation is taking place within the Ontario Critical Pest Management Council, a group composed of representatives from the CFIA, Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Forest Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. They will be meeting in late January to review survey data and discuss options for controlling the spread of EAB.

Agency staff continue to stress the importance of not moving firewood or ash wood materials from the quarantine areas and are working with the logging industry and general public to prevent the movement of potentially infested materials.

Upcoming Meetings:

The CFIA will be hosting an Open House for residents in Elgin County to learn more about the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and efforts to control this destructive insect.

For more information, please contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at 1 866 463-6017.

December 9, 2005

Ash Tree Surveys

CFIA inspection crews are continuing visual surveys for the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) across Ontario.

Lambton County

• Inspectors in Lambton County have surveyed approximately half of the county. No infestations have been found outside of St. Clair Township.
• A "Notice of Prohibition of Movement" has been issued to affected property owners in St. Clair Township. The Notices are being issued as legal notification that ash materials and firewood of all species may not be removed from the property.
• The CFIA has requested that loggers and members of the public not move ash forest products and nursery stock, as well as firewood of all species within or from the County.
• The CFIA is asking people not to move firewood great distances, to be prudent when moving firewood and to only stockpile as much firewood as is needed over the winter and if possible, not to stockpile ash wood.

Elgin County

• The CFIA has detected approximately 200 EAB infested trees near Dutton. An investigation has revealed that the EAB may have been established at the site for three to five years. Inspectors are currently conducting intensive surveys within five kilometres of this site as well as other sites in the County. To date, no additional infestations have been detected in Elgin.
• Information is being collected by the CFIA and the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) at the Dutton site to determine the appropriate course of action.
• Twelve "Prohibition of Movement" notices have been issued to the affected property owners in Dutton-Dunwich Township. The Notices are being issued as legal notification that ash materials and firewood of all species may not be removed from the property.
• The CFIA has requested that loggers and members of the public not move ash forest products and nursery stock as well as firewood of all species within or from the County.
• The CFIA is asking people not to move firewood great distances, to be prudent when moving firewood and to only stockpile as much firewood as is needed over the winter and if possible, not to stockpile ash wood.

Municipality of Chatham-Kent

• Surveys are currently underway in Chatham-Kent with the emphasis on the eastern areas of the Municipality. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is currently regulated under the Emerald Ash Borer Infested Places Order 2004. It is an offence under the Plant Protection Act to remove any ash forest products or firewood of any species from the Municipality without the written permission of the CFIA.

Essex County

• The County of Essex continues to be regulated by the Government of Canada under the Emerald Ash Borer Infested Places Order 2004. Under this Ministerial Order, the removal of firewood of all species and ash tree materials including nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber and wood with bark attached, wood chips or bark chips from ash trees from this quarantine area is prohibited by law without the written approval of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Other Areas of Ontario

• During 2005, surveys were conducted by the CFIA and its partners throughout high-risk areas of Ontario; to date, the EAB has not been detected outside of Southwestern Ontario. The CFIA continues to act on enquiries and encourages members of the public to contact the Agency when the presence of the EAB is suspected.

Upcoming Event

Emerald Ash Borer Community Open House

Date: Thursday December 15, 2005
Time:  2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location:  Dutton Dunwich Community Centre, 1 Erie St., Dutton, Ontario
Guests:  Residents from Elgin County

An open house will be held December 15, 2005 for residents in Elgin County to learn more about the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), efforts by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to control the pest and to answer questions put forth by the public.

The open house will be from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Dutton Dunwich Community Centre. The public is welcome to come and go as they please during this time period.

October 12, 2005

Ash Tree Surveys

Intensive surveys continue in Southwestern Ontario to determine the extent of the infestation on Walpole Island, along the St. Clair Corridor in Lambton County and a recently confirmed site in Elgin County.

The CFIA is requesting that individuals or companies conducting logging activities in either Lambton or Elgin Counties contact the Agency prior to cutting or moving any logs. Notices of prohibition of movement are being issued to owners of affected properties and permission from the CFIA will be required prior to moving logs and other forest products within and outside of these areas.

Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs)

Inspectors with the CFIA were out in force at provincial parks over the Labour Day holiday weekend looking for anyone bringing in firewood from the EAB regulated areas.

Inspectors stopped more than 600 campers throughout the weekend, issuing tickets at Wheatley and Rondeau Provincial Parks to six violators, all residents of Essex County.

Under the Emerald Ash Borer Infested Places Orders it is prohibited to move any firewood, ash nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber and wood with bark attached, wood chips or bark chips out of the quarantine areas of Essex County or the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. Although the pest has been identified in both Essex and Chatham-Kent, each area is regulated with its own Ministerial Order. The movement of regulated items from one area to the other is prohibited. Anyone who violates either of these Orders may be subject to a fine and/or be liable for prosecution.

Under these Orders, the CFIA will continue to enforce the firewood regulations in an effort to prevent the unnatural spread of the Emerald Ash Borer.

Tree Replacement Funds

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has extended the Introduced Forest Pest Compensation Regulations to compensate property owners whose trees were ordered destroyed due to measures used to combat the Emerald Ash Borer by the CFIA in Essex County and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ontario. Eligible tree owners receiving Notices to Dispose from May 1, 2000 to March 31, 2006 are eligible for compensation. The CFIA is in the process of mailing eligible tree owners an application package.

Compensation is provided on the basis of the direct cost of replacing a tree up to a set maximum amount. The maximum amounts are $300 per tree ordered destroyed on privately-owned land, $150 per tree on public land, and $40 per tree in woodlots. The maximum applies to both the purchase of a tree and to reasonable costs for planting.

Compensation will be provided only if application is made directly to the CFIA.

For more information on the application process, please call 1 866-463-6017 or visit the CFIA Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

You can help....

•  Do not move any regulated articles (including firewood of all species, ash nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber, wood, wood chips and bark chips) from the regulated areas. This will reduce the risk of spreading this very destructive pest.
• If purchasing firewood, ask the vendor where it originated. Use local firewood.
• If you see signs of infestation, please contact the CFIA’s toll-free line at 1-866-463-6017.

August 18, 2005

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is asking residents of Lambton County not to move materials such as dead or damaged trees, firewood, and ash nursery stock from the area following the discovery by survey crews of four new sites infested with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

The CFIA is also asking the logging industry active in the northern part of Lambton County, to refrain from moving wood materials within or outside the County, until CFIA has completed its analysis of the recent finds and established an action plan to mitigate the infestation.

A Walpole Island First Nations (WIFN) and CFIA survey team conducting routine inspections on Walpole Island found larvae in ash trees. The insects were confirmed as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) on August 11.

Crews re-surveying high risk sites in the St. Clair corridor in Lambton subsequently discovered several infested trees with the EAB during the week of August 8, 2005. Numerous larvae and galleries were observed in the trees, and there is evidence that the beetle has been there for at least a couple of years.

Lambton County has been considered a high-risk area for the EAB because of its proximity to St. Clair County, Michigan, which is known to be infested with the EAB. The Regional Municipality of Chatham-Kent, which had a very low level of infestation prior to CFIA pest mitigation in the Spring of 2005, may also have been the source of the spread. The CFIA will continue to work with WIFN and officials in Lambton County to ensure that no infested or potentially infested materials are removed from the area.

Intensive surveying will continue in Southwestern Ontario to determine the extent of the infestation.

No decision on next steps will be made until surveys have been completed and the CFIA and the EAB Science Committee have had time to review 2005 survey data and develop a science-based management strategy.

Survey crews have completed inspections of ash trees in high risk sites in Elgin, Middlesex, Perth and Oxford counties. High risk sites include campgrounds, sawmills, nurseries and other industries that are at risk for the artificial spread of EAB. No positives were found.

In addition to Southwestern Ontario, the CFIA is also conducting surveys for the EAB at high risk sites throughout Ontario and Quebec.

ENFORCEMENT

The CFIA enforces restrictive measures for the movement of regulated materials from areas where the EAB has been confirmed. The CFIA has established Ministerial Orders that prohibit the movement of ash nursery stock, trees, logs, lumber, wood, wood chips and bark chips and firewood of all species from either of the regulated areas.

This year, nine individuals have been ticketed for disobeying Ministerial Orders. The CFIA will continue to enforce the Ministerial Orders to ensure that the mandatory regulations are followed.

The CFIA will continue to be on the lookout to ensure that the mandatory regulations of not moving firewood from either Essex County or the Municipality of Chatham-Kent are followed.

ASH-FREE ZONE

Removal of re-growth in the Ash-Free Zone this year is approximately 1/3 completed. The CFIA is working with property owners in the Ash-Free Zone to ensure that this area remains ash-free. To view the full document on the ash-free zone requirements, please visit Ash-Free Zone Regulations on our Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.