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EMERALD ASH BORER CONFIRMED IN LONDON

LONDON, ONTARIO, 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.

The two trees are located in a residential neighbourhood. The CFIA will continue intensive survey efforts in the area to determine the extent of the infestation. The pest is currently in its dormant period and will not spread naturally over the winter months.

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. The CFIA will notify affected property owners that they cannot move regulated articles from their properties without written permission from the CFIA. Regulated articles for EAB include nursery stock, trees, logs, wood, rough lumber including pallets and other wood packaging materials, bark, wood chips or bark chips from ash (Fraxinus species), and firewood of all tree species.

Although this infestation is unfortunate, it was not unexpected given that Middlesex County is in close proximity to other EAB-infested counties in southwestern Ontario. The pest has been previously confirmed in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent as well as Essex, Elgin and Lambton counties. Ministerial Orders have been implemented in those areas to establish regulated areas to control the movement of potentially-infested materials and slow the spread of the pest to new areas.

The CFIA will continue to work with its partners and stakeholders, including the Canadian Forest Service, the Province of Ontario and the City of London over the coming months to review the science and determine next steps, in keeping with the goal of slowing the spread of this destructive pest.

Additional information on EAB is available on the CFIA Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca or by calling 1 866 463-6017.

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Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media relations: 613-228-6682