Subject

This directive contains the requirements governing the importation and domestic movement of Pinus spp. takes effect as indicated above.

Note: Import and domestic requirements for Abies spp., Larix spp., Picea spp., Pseudotsuga spp., as they relate to the entry and spread of scleroderris canker have been removed. The importation of Abies spp. from Japan is prohibited due to the Asian race of scleroderris canker.

Note: Pinus spp. are also subject to requirements pertaining to the control of pine shoot beetle, (Tomicus piniperda), gypsy moth, (Lymantria dispar) and subject to requirements pertaining to the importation of logs, lumber and other unmanufactured wood products from all areas other than the continental United States (US).

This directive has been revised to update the review date, as well as minor administrative changes. The content of this directive has not changed.

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Table of Contents

• Review
• Endorsement
• Amendment Record
• Distribution
• Introduction
• Scope
• 1.0 General Requirements
  • 1.1 Legislative Authority
  • 1.2 Fees
  • 1.3 Regulated Pests
  • 1.4 Regulated Commodities
  • 1.5 Commodities Exempt
  • 1.6 Regulated Areas
• 2.0 Specific Requirements
  • 2.1 Movement requirements or Prohibitions
  • 2.2 Inspection Requirements
  • 2.3 Non-Compliance
  • 2.4 Other
• 3.0 Appendices
• Appendix 1: Areas Regulated for the European race of Gremmeniella abietina
• var. abietina
• Appendix 2: Conditions for the issuance of Movement Certificates
• Appendix 3: Conditions for the issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates
• Appendix 4: Detection of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina and Sampling Plan

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Review

This directive will be reviewed every two years unless otherwise needed. The next review date for this directive is December 5, 2009. The contact for this directive is Joanne Rousson. For further information or clarification, please contact the Forestry Section.

Endorsement

Approved by:

Director
Plant Health Division

Amendment Record

Amendments of this directive will be dated and distributed as outlined in the distribution below.

Distribution

1. Directive mail list (Regions, PHRA USDA)
2. Provincial Government, Industry (via Regions)
3. National Industry Organizations (determined by Author)
4. Internet

Introduction

This directive is necessitated by changes in the import and domestic movement requirements governing species and species materials in relation to scleroderris canker, Gremmeniella abietina (Lagerb.) Morelet. Reasons for deregulation are species specific relating to biological risk.

Various subspecies and races of scleroderris canker, (Gremmeniella abietina (Lagerb.) Morelet), incite seedling blight, branch dieback and stem canker on conifers throughout much of the north temperate zone. In North America two races of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina affect pine. The North American race of scleroderris canker was first identified as a serious disease of pines in the mid-1950s. This race affects only pines less than 2 metres high and appears to be more severe in areas where snow cover and below freezing temperatures occur for relatively long periods.

In the mid 1970's, a new race of G. abietina var. abietina (now referred to as the European race) was discovered killing mature red pines and Scots pines in the Adirondack Mountain region of New York State. This race has since been found in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. Unlike the North American strain, the disease caused by the European race of G. abietina var. abietina causes economic damage on mature pines and is thought to pose a significant risk to pine forests throughout North America.

To prevent the spread of the European race, import restrictions were applied in 1977 on the importation of plants and plant parts, excluding seed, of all species of Larix, Picea, Pinus and Pseudotsuga from all countries into Canada. Recent research has indicated that the European race spread has been through the movement of infected pine nursery stock. Regulations are being maintained on pine nursery stock to prevent further movement of this pest. Christmas trees, and seeds, logs, lumber and processed wood products of all coniferous species are not considered to be a pathway for the introduction or spread of the European race and are exempted from regulations in place on the movement of pine nursery stock. However, import and domestic movement restrictions are still in place for most coniferous species to prevent the spread of other forest pests.

Scope

Importers of pine plants and pine plant material must adhere to the requirements specified in this directive.

This directive supercedes Quarantine Circular (7C) 1979-02-02 and 1979-03-06 and any other previous documents pertaining to the domestic and import control of scleroderris canker.

1.0 General Requirements

1.1 Legislative Authority

Plant Protection Act, S.C. 1990, c. 22
Plant Protection Regulations, SOR/95-212
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette, Part I (05/13/2000)

1.2 Fees

The CFIA is charging fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. For information regarding fees associated with imported product, please contact the Import Service Centres (ISC) at the following phone numbers: Eastern ISC 1-877-493-0468; Central ISC 1-800-835-4486; Western ISC 1-888-732-6222. Anyone requiring other information regarding fees may contact any local CFIA office or visit us at our Fees Notice website.

1.3 Regulated Pests

Scleroderris canker, Gremmeniella abietina (Lagerb.) Morelet, var. abietina, European race.

1.4 Regulated Commodities

Living plants of Pinus spp. including nursery stock and forest tree seedlings.

Pines originating from other countries are prohibited entry unless prior approval is given by the Plant Health Division pending results of a pest risk assessment.

1.5 Commodities Exempt

The following commodities are exempt from the Continental US and Movement within Canada

Wood/bark chips, cones, seeds, logs, lumber, cut Christmas trees (including branches and other non-propagative parts) of all species including Pinus.

1.6 Regulated Areas

All areas within Canada and the continental US where the European race of scleroderris canker is known to occur. See Appendix 1.

Infested sites are to be determined on the basis of national, provincial or state surveys. A buffer zone of 1 km will be applied around all positive findings. An infested site will be defined as any area where a positive identification of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina has been made at any time within the previous five years. This application of a buffer zone takes into account the latent period of the fungus, and the potential for discovery of previously undetected symptoms.

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Movement requirements or Prohibitions

2.1.1 Propagative Material from Regulated Areas of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland

For movement of all regulated material originating within areas listed in Appendix 1 where the European race of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina occurs to all other areas of Canada, a Movement Certificate is required based on the conditions listed in Appendix 2. Otherwise, movement of Pinus spp. from regulated areas is prohibited.

2.1.2 Propagative Material from Non-regulated Areas in Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and the Provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia

There are no restrictions for scleroderris canker for movement of Pinus spp. originating from non-regulated areas.

2.1.3 Propagative Material from Regulated Areas of the US

For importation of all regulated material originating within areas of US (listed in Appendix 1) where the European strain of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina occurs, a Permit to Import issued by Plant Health is required. In addition, a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of the US based on the conditions listed in Appendix 3 is required. Otherwise importation of Pinus spp. from regulated areas in the US is prohibited.

2.1.4 Propagative Material from Non-regulated Areas in US

A Permit to Import issued by Plant Health is required for the importation of propagative material for all Pinus spp. The shipment must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of the US with an additional declaration that "the material certified was produced outside of the scleroderris canker regulated area".

2.1.5 Propagative Material from All Other Countries

Prior approval from Plant Health Division is required, based on a pest risk assessment, for the importation of Pinus spp. from all countries and areas other than the continental US.

2.2 Inspection Requirements

2.2.1 Imports

Pursuant to the workplan, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspectors will inspect and ensure that:

• the Canadian importer holds a valid Permit to Import
• a Phytosanitary Certificate issued in the country of origin accompanies the shipment and that the appropriate additional declarations are stated, and
• the shipment is visually free from regulated pests. Appendix 4 provides details on detecting of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina.

2.2.2 Domestic

Pursuant to the workplan, CFIA inspectors will inspect and ensure that:

• the shipment originating from areas of Canada, listed in Appendix 1, is covered by a Movement Certificate
• the shipment is visually free from scleroderris canker. Appendix 4 provides details on detecting of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina.

2.3 Non-Compliance

2.3.1 Imports

The shipment will be ordered removed from Canada pursuant to Section 8 of the Plant Protection Act or ordered disposed of pursuant to Section 18 of the Plant Protection Regulations. Any costs incurred are the responsibility of the importer.

2.3.2 Domestic

The Plant Health Division should be notified immediately of any domestic shipment found not in compliance. The shipment will be returned to origin, moved to a regulated area or destroyed at the shipper's expense. This movement shall take place under the direction of CFIA.

2.4 Other

Material may be subject to regulations governing pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda (D-96-15), Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica (D-94-22), and gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (D-98-09), and soil restrictions may also apply.

Note: Soil is prohibited from all countries other than continental US.

3.0 Appendices

Appendix 1: Areas Regulated for the European race of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina
Appendix 2: Conditions for the issuance of Movement Certificates
Appendix 3: Conditions for the issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates
Appendix 4: Detection of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina and Sampling Plan

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Appendix 1

Areas Regulated for the European Race of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina

1. Canada

Ontario
Haliburton County - the geographic township of Minden.
Hastings County - the geographic township of Mayo.
District Municipality of Muskoka - the geographic townships of Chaffey, Macauley, Monck, Ryde, Stephenson, Stisted, Watt.
Parry Sound District - the geographic townships of Armour, Joly, McMurrich, Perry, Ryserson, Strong.
Peterborough County - the geographic township of Galway. Victoria County - the geographic township of Somerville.

Quebec
Considered generally infested for regulatory purposes. The European race has now been found in many plantations in the south of the province.

New Brunswick
The European race of scleroderris canker exists at one site* near Bourgoin, Madawaska County.

* For more detail on this location please contact the Plant Health Division.

Newfoundland
The Avalon peninsula - all areas east of route 202.

2. United States

Maine

New Hampshire
County of Coos

New York
Counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Warren

Vermont
Counties of Caledonia, Franklin, Lamoille, Orleans, Washington, Addison (townships of Starksboro, Ripton), Essex (township of Maidstone), Chittenden (townships of Underhill and Milton) and Orange (townships of Orange and Washington)

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Appendix 2

Conditions for the Issuance of Movement Certificates

Areas regulated for the European race of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina are described in Appendix 1. For movement of living plants of Pinus spp., including nursery stock and forest tree seedlings, originating from within the regulated area and moving outside of the regulated area, the following conditions must be met:

1. Based on surveys under the direction of CFIA conducted in the past two years, the Pinus spp. contained in the shipment did not originate within 1 km. of a location in which Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina was found within the previous five years.

OR

2.1. Nurseries located in the regulated area are required to be in good standing in a provincial scleroderris canker control program; and

2.2 Recommended fungicide programs for control of scleroderris canker are followed in accordance to provincial guidelines; and

2.3 All Pinus spp. are inspected and determined to be free of scleroderris canker by personnel trained under the direction of CFIA prior to movement from the nursery location based on the sampling plan outlined in Appendix 4; and

2.4 Audit inspections (including site management, compliance with scleroderris canker control program, visual inspection of the seedlings and record keeping) are to be carried out by CFIA or designated provincial inspectors on an annual basis; and

2.5 Each shipment originating in a regulated area must be accompanied by a Movement Certificate issued by CFIA inspectors with a declaration that a scleroderris canker control program had been followed; and

2.6 Nursery personnel are required to maintain records (for a minimum of 5 years) of all Pinus spp. material moving in and out of the nursery. These records must be made available at the request of CFIA.

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Appendix 3

Conditions for the Issuance of Phytosanitary Certificates

Note that a Permit to Import is required for importation of all Pinus spp. into Canada.

1. Based on official surveys conducted in the past two years, the Pinus spp. contained in the shipment did not originate within 1 km. of a location in which Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina was found within the previous 5 years. The Phytosanitary Certificate must contain an additional declaration which states "the plants contained in this shipment were produced in an area not infested with Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina (European race)".

OR

2.1 Nurseries located in the regulated area are required to be in good standing in a state or national scleroderris canker control program approved by CFIA; and

2.2 Recommended fungicide programs for control of scleroderris canker are followed in accordance to state or national guidelines; and

2.3 All Pinus spp. are inspected and determined to be free of scleroderris canker by personnel trained under the direction of the National Plant Protection Organization prior to movement off the nursery location based on the sampling plan outlined in Appendix 4; and

2.4 Audit inspections of nurseries are to be carried out by under the direction of the national plant protection organization on an annual basis; and

2.5 Each shipment must be accompanied by Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the national plant protection organization. In addition, the Phytosanitary Certificate must have an additional declaration stating "that the plants contained in this shipment have been produced according to the conditions prescribed by CFIA"; and

2.6 Nursery personnel are required to maintain records of all Pinus spp. material moving in and out of the nursery for a minimum period of 5 years.

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Appendix 4

Detection of Gremmeniella abietina var. abietina and Sampling Plan

To detect the presence of scleroderris canker in a lot of forestry or nursery seedlings, it will be necessary to examine the trees for symptoms of the disease. The five major symptoms of the disease are:

1. tree and seedling mortality - Needles are often down turned after the snow melts, become red-brown at the needle bases and by mid-summer are uniformly brown.
2. progressive die back of branches - branch is often girdled and dies from the infection point to the tip. The fungus grows through the branch at the rate of approximately one internode per year.
3. foliar discolouration - the previous year's foliage on infected branches will turn either orange or yellow at the needle bases before shoots elongate in spring and by mid-June these needles will have turned brown or grey-green. These needles are loose and usually drop off leaving a bare branch tip. A pull test is often used as a primary diagnostic test for scleroderris canker, whereby infected needles can be detected by a gentle pull sufficient to detach them from the shoot.
4. cankers are elongated openings in the bark, often with the remaining branch stub left where the fungus entered the main stem. Detectable cankers may not develop until the trees are 5 to 10 years of age because younger trees are usually girdled and killed within one or two years.
5. characteristic yellow - green to emerald-green pigment is often produced by the fungus in dead tissues found just beneath the bark.

Because of possible confusion with other diseases, it is essential to submit samples for confirmation to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Centre for Plant Quarantine Pests (CPQP), 3851 Fallowfield Road, P.O. Box 11300, Station "H", Ottawa, Ontario K2H 8P9.

Sampling plan:

Examine the appropriate number of trees in a given lot as indicated on the chart below, whether they are bare-root or container stock for symptoms of the disease. A lot in this case is defined as a group of pine seedlings of the same variety, age, and growing environment.

Total number of plants in a lot	Number of plants to be examined carefully for symptoms
less than 5,000	50
5,000 to 50,000	100
50,000 to 250,000	200
more than 250,000	400