Urgent measures to prevent the spread of gypsy moth on nursery stock

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) today issued a Notice to Industry about the implementation of urgent interim measures to help prevent the movement of gypsy moth on host nursery stock for the 2021 shipping season.

Effective Monday March 22nd, any Canadian facility that is located in an area regulated for gypsy moth and that intends to move host nursery stock to non-regulated areas in either Canada or the United States will be required to complete and submit an interim compliance agreement (CA) or an equivalent preventive control plan (PCP) to their local CFIA office. The CA must be submitted and approved before material will be certified for domestic movement or export.

Facilities which are under regulatory control following the detection of gypsy moth outside of the regulated area will be required to submit a PCP. The PCP must include all of the elements of the CA as well as any additional control measures that the facility will be implementing.

North American gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, is a pest regulated by Canada which is established in several Canadian provinces and U.S. states. Gypsy moth host nursery stock is considered to be all woody trees and shrubs, however egg masses may be found in protected areas on almost any surface, including tree bark, containers, and burlap. Population levels of this pest are expected to be high in 2021 due to a large outbreak last summer within the regulated area of Ontario.

If you have any questions, please contact your local CFIA office.