Newsroom > News Releases / Information Bulletins 

BOIS NOIR FOUND IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, December 5, 2006 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed Bois noir (BN) in a vineyard in British Columbia. There are no human health risks associated with this pest but it can kill or reduce productivity of the grapevines and reduce the yield and quality of the fruit.

BN is a grapevine yellow disease commonly found in Europe, as is Flavescence dorée (FD), another quarantine pest in Canada. They are spread by the propagation of infected nursery stock and/or by two different insects. BN was discovered in B.C. during the CFIA's routine surveillance program and is the first find of this quarantine pest in Canada.

The CFIA is investigating to determine the extent of the infestation and next steps. The initial trace-out investigation has linked the infestation to a 2006 shipment of grapevines from a nursery in France. Additional grapevines of other varieties from the same rootstock clone imported from the same nursery may also be implicated. There is no risk of further spread at this time of the year because the plants are dormant.

The CFIA has been working with industry to implement new requirements in 2007 for grapevines imported from France and Germany as the spread of BN and FD has increased in Europe in recent years. One of the key requirements that the CFIA has recommended for BN and FD mitigation is hot water treatment (HWT), which is recognized internationally as the only effective means to prevent the spread of these diseases in grapevines from infested areas other than prohibition of entry. This confirmation of BN in B.C. has reinforced the CFIA's decision to move forward with these new risk mitigation procedures in 2007.

The CFIA will continue to work with industry and government stakeholders as well as with international partners over the coming months as the investigation unfolds. Additional information on BN is available on the CFIA Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca or by calling 1-800-442-2342.

- 30 -

• Main Page - Grapevine Yellows: Flavescence dorée and Bois noir