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CEREAL LEAF BEETLE FOUND IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA

OTTAWA, Sept. 1, 2005 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of the cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopus) in the County of Lethbridge and the Municipal District of Taber. Effective immediately, a Domestic Movement Certificate is required for all hay and straw shipments moving out of the regulated areas.

The cereal leaf beetle (CLB) is a quarantine pest in Canada and until this finding, the prairie provinces had been CLB free. The beetle is a pest of cereals, grains and various grasses that has the potential to cause significant economic losses.

The CFIA regulates imports and domestic movement of hay and straw of CLB host species from infested to non-infested areas. Hay or straw that contains 5 per cent or more of regulated host species must be accompanied by certification - a phytosanitary certificate for imports from infested areas of the U.S. to non-infested areas of Canada or domestic movement certificates for shipments moving from infested to non-infested areas of Canada. Small quantities of hay or straw for in-transit use by animals are exempt from requiring a Movement Certificate. However, after use it must be left in an area where it will be disposed of in a municipal landfill. The regulated host species are:

1. Cereals, including: wheat, including durum wheat, triticale, barley, oats, and rye
2. Sorghum and Sudan grass
3. Millet
4. Rice
5. Forage grasses, including: blue grass, brome grasses, canary grass, fescues, orchard grass, redtop, ryegrass, timothy, wheatgrasses, wild rye
6. Hay or straw of legume-grass mixes, consisting of five per cent or greater of regulated host species of the cereal leaf beetle

To obtain a Domestic Movement Certificate for movement from infested areas to non-infested areas of Canada, the CFIA requires hay or straw to be free of the CLB. Options for certification include:

1. Storage of baled hay and straw in a manner to keep it dry for a period of at least 90 days between baling and shipping of the hay and straw; or
2. Compressing the hay or straw at a pressure equal or greater than 105 kg/cm² (1490 psi);
3. Fumigation of the consignment with phosphine gas.

Once CFIA inspectors verify a treatment has been completed, a Domestic Movement Certificate will be issued, for a fee, stating which treatment was used. A copy of the completed Domestic Movement Certificate is given to the shipper and a copy is forwarded to the regional CFIA office.

Moving regulated host species such as hay or straw without a Domestic Movement Certificate is considered to be a very serious offense. Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) of up to $4000 may be issued by the CFIA to those who are found to be in violation.

For more information on cereal leaf beetle certification requirements, please contact the CFIA Lethbridge District at (403) 382-3122, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. For general information on the cereal leaf beetle, please visit the CFIA’s website at www.inspection.gc.ca

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