Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Gatineau Outside the Current Regulated Area
OTTAWA, July 6, 2011: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer in the city of Gatineau. This find is outside the current regulated area for the city of Ottawa, the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville in Ontario and the city of Gatineau, Quebec. The emerald ash borer was discovered at the intersection of Boulevard des Allumettières and Rue Crémazie.
Movement restrictions on regulated wood materials will be placed on the affected property. Further regulatory measures will be considered once survey work is completed for the year.
Although the emerald ash borer does not pose a risk to human health, it is a highly destructive beetle. It has already killed a large number of ash trees in Ontario and the northeastern United States, and it poses a major economic threat to urban and forested areas of North America. There have been numerous finds in Ontario and Quebec.
The emerald ash borer can spread rapidly if moved by people. The key challenge in limiting the spread of this beetle is to prevent people from moving potentially infested ash materials—such as logs, branches, nursery stock, wood chips and firewood of all species—to non-infested areas. The public can play a key part in helping to control the spread of the emerald ash borer by avoiding actions that promote its spread.
The CFIA continues to work with federal, provincial and municipal governments towards slowing the spread of the emerald ash borer. We all have a responsibility to protect Canada’s forests.
Additional information is available on the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca/pests or by calling 1-866-463-6017.
Additional information:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media relations: 613-773-6600
Emerald Ash Borer Hotline: 1-866-463-6017
Emerald Ash Borer Questions and Answers
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