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CFIA ADVISES CONSUMERS AND RETAILERS OF RISK ASSOCIATED WITH SOME ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREES

OTTAWA, December 23, 2004 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is advising consumers that artificial Christmas trees from Polytree Hong Kong Co. Ltd pose a risk of infestation to Canadian trees. The affected product was made with tree trunks which were improperly treated to kill the Brown Fir Longhorned Beetle.

CFIA is asking consumers not to dispose of the trees but to return them to the point of purchase after Christmas. Only trees purchased this year are affected. The presence of live insects is unlikely, however the threat of the beetle's potential spread lies in improper disposal of the trees. Retailers who have this product in stock should cease further sales and contact the CFIA for disposal.

The following artificial Christmas trees from Polytree Hong Kong Co. Ltd, imported from China, bearing the following SKU numbers are affected by the recall.

The Brown Fir Longhorned Beetle (Callidiellum villosulum) does not exist in Canada but may pose a risk to live trees should it become established here. The beetle was identified by the U.S. authorities in some of the affected artificial Christmas trees. The beetle may be present in the trunks of the tree which are made of natural wood.

For more information, consumers and retailers can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342. 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time - Monday to Friday.

For additional information, please visit our web site at www.inspection.gc.ca.

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For information:

Media relations
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(613) 228-6682

Click on image for a larger view.
Example of one of the products affected by this advisory. (SKU#343770)

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Click on image for a larger view.
Sample of product label. (SKU# 343770)

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