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Q1. |
What is EAB? |
A1. |
EAB is a highly destructive insect pest of ash trees that was discovered in
Canada for the first time in the summer of 2002. It has killed a large number of ash trees
in southwestern Ontario and poses a major economic and environmental threat to urban and
forested areas across Canada and the U.S. |
Q2. |
What does EAB look like? |
A2. |
The beetle is metallic green in colour and is 8.5-14.0 mm (about ½ inch)
long and 3.1-3.4 mm (1/8 inch) wide. While the back of the insect is an iridescent,
metallic green, the underside is a bright, emerald green. The body is narrow and
elongated, and the head is flat. The eyes are kidney shaped and usually black. EAB
larva is white and flat, has distinctive bell shaped segments and can grow up to 30 mm
long. (Photos) |
Q3. |
What trees species are susceptible to attack by EAB? |
A3. |
In North America, EAB has been found to attack and kill all North American
species of ash. The mountain ash (Sorbus sp.) is not
related to ash trees and is not attacked by EAB. It is the larval stage of EAB that
damages and kills ash trees. Eggs laid by adult beetles early in the summer hatch after a
few weeks and the larvae chew through the outer bark and into the inner bark of the tree.
During their feeding, they create serpentine tunnels or galleries in the inner bark which
eventually stop the flow of water and nutrients inside the tree's branch or trunk. This
results in the starvation and ultimate death of the tree. The larvae overwinter under the
bark and emerge as adults from May to September to begin the cycle again. It has been
observed that EAB may have a one- or two-year life cycle.
Infested ash trees in North America generally die after two to three years, but heavily
infested trees have been observed to die after one year of beetle attack. |
Q4. |
How serious a threat is EAB? |
A4. |
EAB poses a very serious threat to all species of ash trees throughout
their range in Canada and the U.S. During the relatively short time that it has been in
North America, it has built up its populations to damaging levels and is believed to have
killed in excess of 15 million trees in Canada and the U.S. Billions more trees across
North America are at risk of infestation and death. Ash trees are an important part of
Canada's urban and rural landscape. They are commonly found on city streets, in woodlots,
in windbreaks and in forests across southern Canada. In many areas of western Canada, ash
trees are one of the few genera which are suitable for street-planting in urban areas.
Ash trees are also a very important component of eastern North American forests which
are used in the manufacture of flooring, furniture, tools, sports equipment (e.g., hockey
sticks, baseball bats) and native handicrafts such as baskets. Hardwood forest production
is valued at $1.4 billion annually in Canada, and ash trees are an important component of
that total. Trees killed by EAB are difficult to salvage and of little use within a
relatively short time of their death.
Ash trees are important for the environment - they are home to numerous animals and
birds and are integral to the health of soils and watersheds. The loss of ash trees from
urban and parkland forests would reduce or eliminate food and shelter sources for
wildlife, decrease biodiversity, and seriously disturb the overall ecology of Canadian
forests. They are a common component of wetlands and other riparian areas and their loss
would lead to increased run-off, erosion and sedimentation of streams, rivers and ponds.
As with all trees, ashes are very important in helping to absorb carbon dioxide from the
air and reducing air pollution. In addition, blue ash and pumpkin ash, which are already
considered rare or vulnerable species, would be heavily impacted by EAB. |
Q5 |
What is the importance of ash trees? |
A5 |
Ash trees are an important part of Canada's urban and rural landscape. They
are commonly found on city streets, in woodlots, in windbreaks and in forests across
southern Canada. In many areas of western Canada, ash trees are one of the few genera
which are suitable for street-planting in urban areas. Ash trees are also a very
important component of eastern North American forests which are used in the manufacture of
flooring, furniture, tools, sports equipment (e.g., hockey sticks, baseball bats) and
native handicrafts such as baskets. Hardwood forest production is valued at $1.4 billion
annually in Canada, and ash trees are an important component of that total. Trees killed
by EAB are difficult to salvage and of little use within a relatively short time of their
death.
Ash trees are important for the environment - they are home to numerous animals and
birds and are integral to the health of soils and watersheds. The loss of ash trees from
urban and parkland forests would reduce or eliminate food and shelter sources for
wildlife, decrease biodiversity, and seriously disturb the overall ecology of Canadian
forests. They are a common component of wetlands and other riparian areas and their loss
would lead to increased run-off, erosion and sedimentation of streams, rivers and ponds.
As with all trees, ashes are very important in helping to absorb carbon dioxide from the
air and reducing air pollution. In addition, blue ash and pumpkin ash, which are already
considered rare or vulnerable species, would be heavily impacted by EAB. |
Q6. |
Where did EAB come from? How did it get to Canada? How long has it
been here? |
A6. |
EAB is native to China and eastern Asia, and was found in North America in
2002. In May 2002, it was discovered in southeastern Michigan in the U.S. and in July 2002
it was found in Essex County in Ontario. As is the case with some other exotic pests that
affect plants and trees, it is believed to have been accidentally introduced to North
America on imported wood packaging or crating material. Scientists believe EAB was
introduced into Michigan in the mid 1990's, but was not discovered until the pest
population built up to damaging levels. |
Q7. |
How is EAB spread? |
A7. |
It is expected that EAB will continue to spread naturally across North
America despite measures to slow its dispersal. Left to itself, this would be a relatively
slow process as EAB only moves an estimated 5-10 km per year. However, the human movement
of potentially-infested materials to new areas will significantly increase the speed of
dispersal. |
Q8. |
Where has EAB been found in Canada? |
A8. |
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) conducts ongoing surveys to
determine the leading edge of EAB infestation in Canada and to detect any new populations
that may have resulted through human activities, such as the movement of infested
firewood, nursery stock or other forest products. In Canada, EAB has been confirmed in the
Municipality of Chatham-Kent as well as Essex, Lambton, Elgin and Middlesex counties. |
|
Q1. |
Who has the responsibility for regulatory control of EAB? |
A1. |
Under the authority of the Plant Protection Act, the CFIA is the
agency responsible for preventing pests of quarantine significance from entering Canada.
When pests of quarantine significance become established a decision must be made, in
consultation with other federal, provincial and municipal government departments and
stakeholders, whether there is merit in trying to eradicate or contain the pest. Continued
efforts and cooperation of all partners are required to protect Canada's valuable
resources. |
Q2. |
What is the proposed CFIA plan to control EAB? |
A2. |
Consistent with the position of its federal, provincial and municipal
partners, the CFIA is focussing on enhancement of existing regulatory activities,
communication efforts and research initiatives. The CFIA believes there is continued
merit in slowing the spread of EAB within Canada and protecting this country's vast ash
resource. Consistent with the position of its federal, provincial and municipal partners,
the current emphasis is on continued research, surveillance, effective communications and
enforcement activities in regulated areas.
The CFIA continues to consult with the Ontario Critical Pest Council, the EAB Science
Committee and its partners (including Natural Resources Canada -Canadian Forest Service,
the Ontario Ministries of Natural Resources, and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs), on
science-based strategies for the detection and control of EAB. Biological control and
natural tree resistance may play increasingly important roles in managing EAB populations.
|
Q3. |
Will the CFIA continue to remove trees in infested areas? |
A3 |
No. The removal of infested host trees is no longer considered to be an
effective tool in the management of EAB in areas likely to be generally infested. There
will be no further tree removals within the regulated areas except for research purposes. |
Q4. |
What are regulated areas and how are they established? |
A4. |
Regulated areas are created to slow or prevent the spread of pests
(including diseases) that could adversely affect humans, animal or plant life. Generally,
restrictions or prohibitions are placed on areas where the pest is present or suspected to
occur and where there is merit in trying to slow or prevent the spread of the pest. One
way to establish a regulated area is through a Ministerial Order. Regulated areas allow
the CFIA to maintain and enforce restrictive measures for the movement of potentially
infested wood items from areas where EAB has been found. This is necessary to slow the
spread of EAB, to protect the health of Canada's trees and forests and to prevent economic
losses to the nursery, lumber and tourism industries and municipalities.
Additionally, the Ministerial Orders that define the regulated areas officially
identify the regions of Canada to be infested with EAB. This allows areas in Canada that
are not infested with EAB to continue to export ash nursery stock and forest products to
our trading partners.
Another way the CFIA establishes a regulated area is by issuing a notice of Prohibition
of Movement or Notice of Quarantine to individual property owners to restrict or prohibit
the movement of high-risk materials from properties that are confirmed or suspected to be
infested with EAB. |
Q5 |
Where are the regulated areas in Canada? |
A5. |
There are currently four regions in southwestern Ontario that are
designated as regulated areas for EAB under three separate Ministerial Orders:
The County of Essex and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent Emerald Ash
Borer Infested Places Declaration and Order
The County of Elgin Emerald Ash Borer Infested Places Declaration and
Order
The County of Lambton Emerald Ash Borer Infested Places Declaration
and Order
Additional quarantine measures are also specified for some properties in Lambton, Elgin
and Middlesex counties. Regulated materials cannot be removed from these properties
without the permission of the CFIA. |
Q6 |
What items are restricted within these regulated areas? |
A6. |
Regulated articles in these areas include: nursery stock, trees, logs,
wood, rough lumber including pallets and other wood packaging materials, bark, wood chips
or bark chips from trees in the genus Fraxinus as well as
firewood of all tree species and vehicles used to carry these articles. Movement of these
materials from regulated areas is permitted only if the materials have been treated to
kill all life stages of EAB and if written permission (Movement Certificate) has been
obtained from a CFIA inspector. |
Q7 |
How is the CFIA increasing public awareness of the requirements of
the Ministerial Orders? |
A7. |
The Agency has been increasing public awareness of EAB and the requirements
of the Ministerial Orders by:
- publicizing the regulations on the movement of firewood and ash tree materials in
newspapers and on the radio;
- actively seeking opportunities to present information or speak on EAB;
- holding public meetings and keeping the public, stakeholders and affected industries up
to date through CFIA Web site information;
- distributing posters and other printed materials to the public, impacted areas and to
affected industries; and
- taking effective enforcement actions when warranted.
Continued cooperation from the public is essential if we are to slow the spread of this
pest. |
Q8. |
What do I do if I suspect my ash tree is infested? |
A8. |
If you are not in one of the areas regulated for EAB and see suspected
signs of infestation on your ash trees, contact the CFIA at 1-866-463-6017. If you are
in an EAB-regulated area and have recently trimmed or cut down your ash tree, please call
the CFIA for directions on disposal. |
Q9. |
What can I do to help? |
A9. |
- Do not move the regulated materials.
- Buy and burn firewood locally.
- Report signs of EAB infestation to the CFIA.
Toll free: 1-866-463-6017
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Help Protect Canada's Trees and Forests.
For more information visit the
CFIA web site:
www.inspection.gc.ca |