Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle: Industry Questions and Answers

Q1 What measures are in place to control brown spruce longhorn beetle (BSLB)?

Regulated areas are created to slow or prevent the spread of pests (including diseases) that could adversely affect humans, animals or plant life. Generally, restrictions or prohibitions are placed on areas where the pest is present or suspected to occur. One way to establish a regulated area is through a Ministerial Order. To help prevent the spread of the BSLB a Ministerial Order was issued in October 2000 and was revised in 2007. The order restricts the movement of spruce round logs, unprocessed bark and wood chips, out of the Containment Area in Nova Scotia so as to prevent the spread of BSLB to areas in Canada not infested by the beetle.

In May 2007, based on emerging scientific and surveillance information, the CFIA expanded the existing Containment Area and made requirements less restrictive than the original Ministerial Order for processing and controlling movement.

Q2 Does CFIA's current approach incorporate industry concerns?

The measures set out in the current Ministerial Order incorporate key elements of the stakeholder proposal presented to the CFIA in February 2007. These measures support a common goal to contain the BSLB, while science and surveillance work is carried out in order to develop a better understanding of this pest.

Q3 What is a Movement Certificate?

A Movement Certificate, issued by the CFIA, allows regulated materials to be moved outside of the Containment Area under specific conditions. These conditions facilitate the transport and processing of these materials while minimizing the potential spread of BSLB. For more information or to obtain a Movement Certificate contact your local CFIA BSLB office by phone (1-877-868-0662 or 902-426-4667) or contact your local CFIA office.

Q4 Can forest product facilities outside the Containment Area receive and process regulated materials from within the Containment Area?

Yes. Forest product facilities outside the Containment Area are authorized to process regulated articles originating inside the Containment Area, once their site specific processes for the mitigation of BSLB risks have become approved by the CFIA.

The CFIA developed the Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle Risk Mitigation Program for participants from the forest products industry. The program reduces the risk of spreading BSLB by setting out requirements for moving and processing spruce roundwood, bark and oversized wood chips (> 4 cm in 2 of 3 dimensions) under a CFIA Movement Certificate. The program is performance-based where participants comply with the requirements through a site-specific process, documented using an approved site-specific plan. The requirements adopt forest product industry practices and will help producers move their product to market.

Changes to the BSLB Risk Mitigation Program for 2008 included:

• the recognition of mechanical debarking and hogging processes as treatments to mitigate risk; and,
• a formal prohibition for moving regulated articles from Nova Scotia during the BSLB high-risk period (April 30 to September 15.) This prohibition is necessary to minimize the risk to non-infested areas of Canada. This requirement also recognizes the ongoing voluntary moratorium with New Brunswick industry on moving regulated articles from the Containment Area.

Q5 Will the CFIA continue to order trees destroyed in generally infested areas?

There will be no further tree removals except for research purposes. CFIA's emphasis will be on continued support of research, surveillance, effective communications and enforcement activities.

If you are not in an area regulated for BSLB and suspect signs of infestation, within Nova Scotia, please contact the CFIA's BSLB Office toll-free at 1-877-868-0622 or call 902-426-4667. Outside of Nova Scotia, please contact your local CFIA office.