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Emerald Ash Borer - Ash-Free Zone Backgrounder

In August of 2002, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in the Windsor area of Essex County. EAB, an introduced beetle native to Asia, attacks and kills all species of ash trees. The EAB larvae attacks and kills otherwise healthy trees by destroying the flow of nutrients through the tree.

To deal with this pest, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) began an aggressive campaign to prevent the further spread of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in Ontario.

As a first step in controlling the beetle, the Minister responsible for the CFIA issued the Emerald Ash Borer Infested Places Order on September 17, 2002. This Ministerial Order restricts the movement of all ash forest products from the regulated area including nursery stock, logs and debris. In addition to these restrictions, firewood of all species cannot be moved. Violations of the Order will result in destruction of the regulated materials, a fine of $400.

The U.S. and Canada convened a Science and Advisory Panel made up of regulatory and scientific experts specialists from both countries. The panel reported that the EAB was likely to remain a serious pest and would spread throughout most of eastern North America ash tree stands unless aggressive action was taken to contain it. The panel recommended a zonal approach to control the spread of the pest, the key element of which was the establishment of an Ash-Free Zone following the completion of survey activity.

Throughout 2003, the CFIA conducted surveys across Southwestern Ontario. Survey crews confirmed the leading edge to be near the edge of Essex County and that EAB was not widespread in Ontario. On November 23, 2003, the Ministerial Order was amended to include all of Essex County.

In February, the CFIA began establishing the Ash-Free Zone. Located on the western end of the Regional Municipality of Chatham-Kent, the 10 by 30 km zone required the removal and destruction of all ash trees.

There were two main goals behind the establishment of the Ash-Free Zone. One is to remove all the known-infested trees along the eastern edge of Essex and in Chatham-Kent to reduce populations of adult beetles.

The second, and the main reason for cutting the Ash-Free Zone, was to remove the beetle's feeding and breeding material, providing a barrier to slow the eastward spread of EAB.

The removal of ash trees within the zone was completed in March 2004. To further protect the area, the Ash Free Zone Regulations were introduced, banning propagation of ash trees within the zone and movement of all ash tree materials. CFIA inspectors will continue to monitor the Ash Free Zone to prevent ash regrowth.

Intensive surveys are continuing throughout Southwestern Ontario with emphasis being placed on those areas of highest risk such as the area immediately east of the AFZ and along the St. Clair River in Lambton County.

The beetle has been found at low levels east of the Ash-Free Zone in Chatham Kent. CFIA survey crews are now conducting extensive tree surveys in the immediate area to determine the extent of the infestations.

During 2004, extensive surveys east of the ash free zone detected infested sites in Chatham-Kent. Ministerial orders  were established for Essex county and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. In June 2006, these two areas were combined into one single regulated area.

As part of the amalgamation of Essex and Chatham-Kent into a single regulated area, the CFIA has also begun the process to de-regulate the Ash-Free Zone that is located in Chatham-Kent. Although the Zone was effective in slowing the natural spread of EAB from Essex into Chatham-Kent, now that the pest has been confirmed east of the Zone the additional restrictions for this area can be removed. Until this formal process is completed, no regulated ash products can be transported out of, into or through the Zone.

The movement of infested firewood poses the greatest risk for the beetle's artificial spread to other areas. The CFIA, is asking all area residents not to move any logs, branches, nursery stock, chips or other wood to minimize any potential movement of the EAB.

For additional information on the EAB, call the CFIA toll free at 1-866-463-6017 or visit our website.