Newsroom > News Releases / Information Bulletins 

AGENCY’S SURVEY EFFORTS REVEAL EAB POPULATION

OTTAWA, July 7, 2004 - Survey crews with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have found four sites infested with the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) slightly east of the Ash Free Zone (AFZ) in Chatham-Kent, through regular survey activity.

The general areas are slightly east of the AFZ and are centred on Highway 401. The trees located in the northern location are likely first-year infestations while the southerly location may have been infested for more than a year. The movement of wood and nursery stock could be a potential source of this spread.

The new finds are not unexpected. Given that the potential source of spread may be through firewood, the Agency reminds all those in the Regulated Area in Essex County to help prevent the further spread of the EAB by not moving wood from the quarantine area, as it may be infested without showing signs of infestation.

The Agency will proceed with the removal of the known positive trees and continue intensive survey efforts in the affected area. The EAB Science and Survey Committee have also provided recommendations to the CFIA on the management of these new sites. The committee is composed of national forest insect experts from federal and provincial agencies and provides advice to the Agency on scientific matters regarding EAB.

The Agency is working with the assistance of the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) determine the extent of the EAB population in the area.

-30-

For more information on the EAB and the CFIA’s efforts to control its spread, please see our website at   www.inspection.gc.ca or call the Essex office at 1 866 463-6017.