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ADDITIONAL ASIAN LONG-HORNED BEETLE INFESTATIONS FOUND IN TORONTO AND VAUGHAN

Toronto, September 28, 2005 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has detected additional trees infested with the Asian Long-Horned Beetle (ALHB) in the cities of Toronto and Vaughan, which will require the removal of an additional 2,000 trees from these locations this fall.

Tree removal and chipping are the most effective means available to eradicate this insect. While the loss of healthy trees is distressing, these measures are required to eliminate these localized infestations. There is no pesticide registered for use against the beetle in Canada and it has no natural controls in North America.

An ALHB infestation warrants the removal and destruction of all host trees within 400 metres of the infested trees as they present a significant and unavoidable risk. A total of approximately 10,000 trees have now been identified for removal to date in 2005. This may change as the surveys are ongoing and new finds may be reported.

All the infested trees are within the ALHB Regulated Area, which was established in parts of Toronto and Vaughan in February 2004 to prevent the spread of the beetle. No finds of ALHB exist outside of the Regulated Area, indicating that the population is under control. The Asian Long-Horned Beetle Infested Places Order restricts the movement of any tree materials (including nursery stock, trees, leaves, logs, lumber, wood, wood chips and bark chips from susceptible species of trees as well as firewood of all species) out of the Regulated Area, unless authorized by the CFIA.

Public information sessions will be held in the communities affected by the tree removal operations. Area residents and members of the general public will be invited to attend these sessions to learn more about the beetle. A “Notice to Dispose” will be issued to affected property owners prior to tree removal.

The CFIA is offering compensation to property owners for trees ordered destroyed. Compensation is provided on the basis of the direct cost of replacing a tree up to a maximum amount. The maximum amounts are $300 per tree ordered destroyed on private property, $150 per tree on public property and $40 per tree in woodlots.

The CFIA made a positive identification of the ALHB in Woodbridge in September 2003. This was the first confirmed infestation in Canada. The beetle was subsequently found in the area of Toronto-Vaughan. Since the initial find, the CFIA has been conducting visual surveys to determine the extent of the infestation.

We depend on the public’s help and cooperation in our efforts to eliminate this destructive pest of hardwood trees from Canada. Please report any findings of the beetle and observe the regulations prohibiting the movement of firewood out of the area.

For more information on the ALHB and on how to identify signs of infestation, please visit the website at www.inspection.gc.ca or call us toll free at 1-800-442-2342. In Toronto, please call 416-665-5055.

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• Asian Longhorned Beetle

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