ASIAN GYPSY MOTH (AGM)

Published: 28 February 2019

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the US Department of Agriculture have recently issued their joint reminder about pre-certification requirements for ships that have been in areas regulated for Asian gypsy moth (AGM) during specified risk periods. AGM is a serious pest that can be carried on ships and in cargo, and populations are prevalent in some seaport areas in Far East Russia, Japan, Korea, and Northern China.

Vessels are required to arrive in North American ports free of AGM and with required pre-departure certification. During the 2019 AGM flight period, very high numbers of moths were reportedly observed in many regulated ports. To prevent a similar high number of vessels with egg masses arriving in 2020, extra vigilance in conducting self-inspection— in addition to obtaining AGM certification— is requested.

A summary of the Specified risk periods is as follows:

• Ships must be inspected and obtain pre-departure certification from a recognised body from the last port of call in a regulated area visited during the risk period. This must be forwarded to their US or Canadian agents.
• Ships must also arrive in Canadian and US ports free from AGM by carrying out inspections during the voyage and destroying all AGM life stages found in advance of port entry.
• Ships must provide their local agents with two years of port call data at least 96 hours before arriving in a Canadian or US port.

For further information Members are advised to check with their local agents and to refer to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and APHIS websites

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