Potato Cyst Nematodes

Golden Nematode and Pale Cyst Nematode do not pose a risk to human health. These two species of Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) are considered quarantine pests because if left unmanaged they can reduce yields of potatoes and other host crops such as tomatoes and eggplants by up to 80 per cent. These pests infest the soil and are very difficult to eradicate because they can persist, dormant in the soil, for several decades.

Both of these quarantine Potato Cyst Nematodes have been confirmed in 65 countries worldwide, including the United States. In Canada, Golden Nematode is present in Newfoundland, Vancouver Island, Quebec and Alberta. Pale Cyst Nematode is only present in Newfoundland. Strict quarantine measures are in place to prevent the potential spread of these PCNs.

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The key acts and regulations we enforce are:

• Plant Protection Act
  • Golden Nematode Order (Central Saanich) - British Columbia
  • Potato Production and Sale (Central Saanich) Restriction Regulations - British Columbia
  • Eggplants and Tomatoes Production (Central Saanich) Restriction Regulations - British Columbia
  • Plant Protection Regulations, Schedule II: Restricted Movement within Canada (Newfoundland)
  • Golden Nematode Compensation Regulations - Quebec
  • Golden Nematode Infested Places Order - Quebec
    • Main Regulated Areas
    • Regulated Satellite Sites

Information we provide to the general public includes:

• Pest Fact Sheet

Information we provide to the plant industry and scientific community includes:

• Pest Fact Sheet
• Surveillance and Phytosanitary Measures for Potato Cyst Nematodes
• What you can do to prevent the spread of potato cyst nematodes
• Policy Directives
  • D-08-04 - Plant Protection Import Requirements for Plants and Plant Parts for Planting: Preventing the Entry and Spread of Regulated Plant Pests Associated with the Plants for Planting Pathway
  • D-01-02 - Import Requirements for Packages of Flower Bulbs Purchased in The Netherlands by Travellers Returning to or Visiting Canada
  • D-00-04 - Plant protection import requirements for earthworms
  • D-98-01 - Import Requirements for Seed Potatoes and other Potato Propagative Material
  • D-96-20 - Canadian growing media program (CGMP), prior approval process and import requirements for plants rooted in approved media
  • D-96-05 - Import Requirements for Packaged Potatoes for Consumption (table stock) and Bulk Potatoes for Processing and Repacking
  • D-95-26 - Phytosanitary requirements for soil and related matter, alone or in association with plants
  • D-94-34 - Import requirements for grapevines from countries other than the United States (U.S.)
  • D-94-26 - The plant protection import requirements for edible roots for consumption or processing
  • D-94-25 - Plant protection import requirements for ginseng (Panax spp.

Additional government and industry information can be found at:

• Government of Canada Response - Potato Cyst Nematode
  • Government Response to the First Report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food: Potato Cyst Nematode in Quebec and Alberta
  • The CFIA Completes 2010 Potato Cyst Nematode Survey With No Detections

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
  • Golden Nematode
  • Pale Cyst Nematode