| Q1 |
What is a nematode? |
| A1 |
Nematodes are slender, worm-like animals that are found in soil, freshwater
and marine environments-wherever organic matter exists. Because most are
microscopic (0.25 to 2 millimetres in length) their numbers and importance are
often overlooked. Some nematodes occur as parasites in animals, such as
"pinworms" in humans; others feed on plants, such as cyst nematodes;
still others attack insects and have been used for insect control. Nematodes in
plants are difficult to see with the unaided eye because they are very small
and translucent. There are more than 4800 species of nematodes that can attack
plants. |
| Q2 |
What are Potato Cyst Nematodes? |
| A2 |
Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) are considered quarantine pests because they
can reduce yields of potatoes and other host crops such as tomatoes and
eggplants by up to 80 per cent. These pests infest the soil and are very
difficult to eradicate because they can persist, dormant in the soil, for
several decades. Two species of PCN include Golden Nematode (Globodera rostochiensis) and Pale Cyst Nematode (Globodera pallida). |
| Q3 |
Where has the Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) been found in
Canada? |
| A3 |
Golden Nematode (Globodera rostochiensis),
has been detected in Newfoundland (1962), Vancouver Island (1965) and Quebec
(2006). Pale Cyst Nematode (Globodera pallida)
has been detected in limited areas of Newfoundland (1962). Strict movement
restrictions are in place on land and products from the identified high-risk
areas. |
| Q4 |
Has PCN been found
in the United States? |
| A4 |
Yes. Golden Nematode was detected in 1941 in New York State and Pale Cyst
Nematode was detected in 2006 in Idaho. |
| Q5 |
Does PCN exist in
other countries? |
| A5 |
Yes. PCN has been
previously confirmed in 65 countries worldwide, including limited areas of
Canada and the United States. |
| Q6 |
Is there a human health risk with this pest? |
| A6 |
No. The PCN is a plant
parasite and does not pose any risk to human health. It infests the soil where
host crops (potatoes, tomatoes and eggplants) are grown and has been known to
reduce yields by up to 80 percent. |
| Q7 |
Can the PCN be
eradicated? |
| A7 |
It is a difficult pest to eradicate. Once the PCN has infested the soil in a particular
area, it is possible for the pest to survive for several decades. Eradication
of the PCN requires a
combination of approaches including the prohibition of planting susceptible
host plants such as potato, tomato, and eggplant for many years. Strategies
such as soil fumigation and the use of resistant potato cultivar may serve to
reduce the population of cysts in the soil and may play a role in the long-term
management of PCN. |
| Q8 |
The pest affects the yields of host crops. Are there any other
visible signs of possible infestation? |
| A8 |
Infected plants may show symptoms if they are heavily infested. Symptoms
can include yellowing, wilting, poor growth, poor yield, poor root development
and the presence of brown cysts on the roots. Lightly infested plants may show
no obvious symptoms, or symptoms which look like nutritional deficiencies. |
| Q9 |
Does PCN affect
potato tubers? |
| A9 |
No. The PCN uses the roots
of the potato plant to grow and multiply and does not affect the potato
tubers. |
| Q10 |
How is the presence of PCN determined? |
| A10 |
In accordance with international standards, laboratory analysis of soil
samples or the roots of symptomatic plants is required to identify PCN. The probability of detection
depends on the soil sampling scheme adopted and the density of the PCN population in the soil.
Confirmation of PCN is based
on morphological (shape and size) identification at the microscopic level by
highly trained specialists. DNA-based laboratory techniques, such as
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), are also used to further substantiate the
results. |
| Q11 |
What domestic and international restrictions are currently in place
to protect Canada from the PCN? |
| A11 |
Canada prohibits imports of soil and potatoes from all other countries,
except the U.S., due to the presence
of pests of quarantine significance. Canada requires very strict certification
from the U.S., especially in areas
where PCN has been detected.
With a view to avoid broad trade restrictions on entire provinces or states
following the detection of PCN, Canadian and American officials agreed
on a science-based framework that allows for the creation of regulated areas.
Domestically, the movement of soil and PCN host crops is controlled from affected
areas in Newfoundland, Vancouver Island and Quebec. Also, strategies to
suppress Golden Nematode and limit soil movement are in place within the
regulated areas. |
| Q12 |
How is PCN
spread? |
| A12 |
PCN is mainly spread
through the movement of soil that is attached to potato tubers, farm machinery,
flower bulbs or footwear. |
|
|
| Q1 |
Where has Golden Nematode been detected in Quebec? |
| A1 |
In Quebec, the Golden Nematode (GN) infestation is primarily located in the
town of Saint-Amable within
the Municipalité régionale de comté (MRC) de
Lajemmerais. As a result, the regulated area encompasses mainly
Saint-Amable and other parcels of land in the immediate
area. |
| Q2 |
How has the CFIA conducted its investigation of
GN in Quebec? |
| A2 |
The CFIA
immediately began investigating historical data from the farm unit where
GN was originally detected. The
infested field and all exposed fields were put under various restrictions and
an intensive sampling and testing program was initiated. Any fields that have
been confirmed to be positive through these activities are also being
investigated. All pathways of introduction are being investigated to determine
the source of the infestation. This includes the movement of all commodities in
and out of affected fields, history of field rental, crop rotation and
equipment sharing. |
| Q3 |
How much land is confirmed to have GN? |
| A3 |
Preliminary analysis of soil samples confirms that the pest is widespread
within the regulated area. Control measures have been implemented on all
confirmed properties and any additional exposed properties that have been
identified. |
| Q4 |
Could seed potatoes be the source of this infestation?
|
| A4 |
To date, there is no evidence that seed potatoes were the source of this
infestation. |
| Q5 |
Is the CFIA doing any soil sampling
outside the regulated area? |
| A5 |
Yes. The CFIA is
pursuing soil sampling in the surrounding area around Saint-Amable, on all seed farms in Quebec and other Canadian seed
farms that have supplied seed potatoes to affected growers. |
| Q6 |
Why has the CFIA established a regulated
area? |
| A6 |
The regulated area has been established to allow the CFIA to maintain and enforce
restrictions on the movement of potentially-infested materials within and
outside of the regulated area where GN has been detected. |
| Q7 |
How large is the regulated area? |
| A7 |
The regulated area encompasses mainly Saint-Amable
and other parcels of land in the immediate area. About 4,500 hectares is
included in the regulated area. |
| Q8 |
How long will the regulated area be in effect? |
| A8 |
Research has shown that GN, like
other PCNs, can exist in the
soil for several decades. As a result, this regulated area will be in place for
many years. |
| Q9 |
What restrictions are in effect in the regulated
area? |
| A9 |
Any plants or plant parts with soil, machinery with soil, potato tubers
with soil, etc. are prohibited from leaving the regulated area unless in
accordance with a Movement Certificate. These restrictions are aimed at
regulating the movement of soil or materials that are in contact with soil out
of and within the regulated area. In addition, the planting of host crops such
as potatoes, tomatoes and eggplants in infested soil is prohibited under the
Plant Protection Act. The movement of potatoes for planting within,
out of, and into the regulated area is also restricted.
The effect of the Ministerial Order is that it will be possible to market
potatoes within Canada. Potatoes originating from lands exposed and not exposed
to GN within the regulated area can
be used for processing purposes provided specific precautions are taken to
prevent the spread of GN. Depending
on the land status, some potatoes may be marketed through processing or the
table-stock retail market.
Vegetables such as carrots, corn, radishes and other plant commodities can
leave the regulated area provided they are cleaned free from soil or if they
are grown on land that has not been exposed to GN.
Farm machinery must be cleaned free of soil before it can be authorized by a
CFIA inspector to
leave the regulated area.
|
| Q10 |
What are the regulated articles? |
| A10 |
Regulated articles include soil and any article that could carry soil, such
as plants and plants parts, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and farm machinery.
The production of potato, tomato and eggplant crops is restricted in the
regulated area under the Plant Protection Act. However, there are no
restrictions on the movement of tomatoes and eggplants if they are free of
soil. |
| Q11 |
What will happen if the restrictions is not followed?
|
| A11 |
Any person who violates the prohibitions or restrictions of movement set
out in the Ministerial Order may be liable to prosecution and subject to a
fine. |
| Q12 |
Can agricultural producers continue to produce crops within the
regulated area? |
| A12 |
Producers may continue to produce crops within the regulated area provided
it is done within the limits specified in the notices served and without
contravening the regulations. The CFIA is committed to working
closely with its partners and the affected growers to define a long-term
management strategy that will enable agricultural production and continue to
control this infestation of GN. |
| Q13 |
Why are there restrictions placed on fields that do not produce
potatoes? |
| A13 |
The GN is mainly spread through
the movement of soil. Based on the results of the trace-out investigation it
has been determined that these fields have been farmed with equipment used in
infested fields or associated properties. This puts these fields at risk for
GN infestation. |
| Q14 |
Why are there restrictions on fields that test negative for
GN? |
| A14 |
These fields have been tested for GN because they may have come in contact with a
positive field in the past through shared equipment or other farming practices
and are considered to be high risk for GN. The testing procedures do not provide absolute
assurance that a parcel of land is free from GN and as a result, it is necessary to keep the
restrictions on these properties in place as a precautionary measure. |
| Q15 |
Will the locations surrounding the regulated area for GN also be examined or tested? |
| A15 |
Yes. Our testing strategy has been developed in accordance with
international science-based standards and will include intensive soil sampling
around the regulated area. This sampling is an important and necessary element
as part of the ongoing investigation to detect the distribution of this
pest. |
| Q16 |
Will the size of the regulated area increase? |
| A16 |
The size of the regulated area could increase depending on the results of
the ongoing investigation. |
| Q17 |
How does CFIA know the GN will not spread from the regulated area in
Quebec? |
| A17 |
Control measures will have an impact on high-risk activities of producers
within the regulated area. If additional infested fields are detected outside
of the regulated area, the CFIA will implement additional
control measures to control the spread of GN. The CFIA is also looking into the
implementation of long-term strategies that will control this infestation of
GN. |
| Q18 |
Are there any restrictions on regulated articles outside of the
regulated area? |
| A18 |
Articles may be regulated in other areas of Canada if pests of concern are
present. |
| Q19 |
What will happen to producers within the regulated area?
|
| A19 |
The CFIA will
explore alternatives that are in line with the containment and control strategy
of the Ministerial Order in consultation with the GN task force, which was established with federal,
provincial, scientific and industry representatives to identify measures that
will assist producers implicated by the detection of GN. |
