PI-011– Eradication Protocol for Retail Nurseries Confirmed with Phytophthora ramorum

2nd Revision

Table of Contents

Contact

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Review

This directive will be revised when new information regarding appropriate procedures for eradicating or controlling the spread of P. ramorum is identified.

Endorsement

Approved by:


Joanne Rousson, Project Coordinator


Greg Stubbings, Chief Plant Health Officer

Amendment Record

Amendments to this document will be given consecutive numbers. Amendments to this document will be posted on the Phytophthora ramorum page of the CFIA website.

Number of amendment: Amended by: Date of submission for approval of amendment: Summary of amendment and number of amended page(s):
1 John McDonald September 18, 2009 Review date changed. No other changes were made.
2 Shane Sela February 25, 2010 Amended Appendix 4 for clarification.

Distribution List

The most up to date version of this document will be maintained on the CFIA Internet. In addition, the signed original will be maintained in the Quality Systems Procedures Committee Coordinator's office and the master electronic copy will be kept by the Quality Systems Procedures Committee Coordinator.

1.0 Introduction

Phytophthora ramorum is a quarantine pest, regulated by the CFIA in policy directive D-01-01, Phytosanitary Requirements to Prevent the Entry of Phytophthora ramorum. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) along with a number of other countries regulate commodities to prevent the entry or movement of P. ramorum.

Retail nurseries are at the end-point of the plant distribution system, and therefore represent a lower risk in the distribution of infested plants than do propagation nurseries.

2.0 Definitions

Definitions for terms used in the present document can be found in the Plant Health Glossary of Terms.

3.0 Goal

The goal of this protocol is to provide standards for the consistent and effective eradication of P. ramorum in retail nurseries. A retail nursery is any place where plants are purchased from other places of production for re-sale.

Cooperation by retail nursery management is essential. Early detection and reporting of P. ramorum finds are critical to ensure that any infestation is contained and spread minimized. The eradication principles employed in this protocol are similar to those employed by the United States and the European Union.

4.0 When to use this Protocol

This protocol shall be implemented when the presence of P. ramorum has been confirmed in a retail nursery. Samples may have been collected as part of a trace forward or trace back activities, as part of the national P. ramorum survey or found by other means. Confirmed samples must have been analysed using a methodology approved by the CFIA at a CFIA laboratory.

5.0 Regulatory Control – Securing the Retail nursery

Upon detection of P. ramorum at a retail nursery, all plants found infected, all hosts within 4 m of the infested plants and all high risk host plants [those genera listed in the List of Plants Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)] within the retail nursery shall be placed under quarantine. The quarantine shall be established using the appropriate notice as specified in Appendix 4. Quarantined plants must be held in a secure area, closed to the public until disposition actions have been determined and completed and the delimitation survey is complete. The retail nursery should establish appropriate biosecurity measures as described in Appendix 3.

During the quarantine, the retail nursery will be permitted to carry out operations to maintain the health of quarantined plants, provided such actions are not in contravention of the standards established here or on notices prescribed by a CFIA inspector or in opposition to the management practices prescribed in Appendix 3.

Quarantine actions shall ensure that any potentially infested soils or water used for irrigation are secured until all testing is complete.

Once delimitation surveys are complete and sampling results have confirmed the extent of the infestation, destruction and/or treatment areas shall be identified as per Section 8 of this protocol. Destruction and quarantine areas, as identified in Sections 8 and 10 shall remain under quarantine until testing confirms no further evidence of the presence of P. ramorum.

6.0 Survey and Inspection of the Retail nursery and Perimeter

A CFIA inspector shall identify the retail nursery and record details related to its operations on the checklist provided in Appendix 5.

6.1 Sample Submission

All samples collected shall be submitted per the instructions in Appendix 7 to:

Attention: Plant Pathology

Ontario Plant Laboratories
Floor 2
3851 FALLOWFIELD RD
P.O. BOX 11300
OTTAWA ON K2H 8P9

6.2 Delimitation survey

Once a positive plant has been detected, CFIA shall inspect all host plants [those regulated plants identified in the List of Plants Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)] within the place of production, focusing particular attention on high risk host plants. Any plants showing symptoms consistent with diseases caused by P. ramorum, shall be identified, sampled and the samples submitted according to the protocols detailed in Appendices 6 and 7.

Upon the completion of the delimitation survey, any plants confirmed to be infested with P. ramorum and adjacent plants as described in Section 8 below shall be placed under quarantine and destroyed. All high risk host plants [those regulated plants identified in the List of Plants Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)] must be held under quarantine during this period.

6.3 Trace Forward and Trace Back Surveys

Where feasible, inspectors shall identify all shipments of high risk host plants (and/or low risk host plants of same origin of production as high risk host plants moved to the retail nursery) moved within the 12 months prior to the first positive detection of P. ramorum.

Inspectors shall also attempt to determine the origin of infested plants that may have been moved into the facility through trace back activities.

Trace back information relating to infested plants received from outside the local area shall be communicated to the CFIA Lead Specialist for P. ramorum Management who will relay this information to other areas for inspection or other actions as necessary.

6.4 Soil and Potting Media Sampling

Infested plant material may have arisen from contaminated soil or potting media or infested plants may have contaminated potting media. Inspectors shall sample the soil or the potting media where infested plants have been found, soils adjacent to infested plants, potting and soil mixing areas, and any soil areas where plants are maintained downhill from infested plants. Inspectors shall also determine the content, origin (composition), storage and handling of soil or potting media used in the facility. Appendix 6 outlines detailed soil and potting media sampling methods. Soil samples shall be kept separate from potting media samples.

6.5 Water Sampling

The source of water used at the facility to irrigate plants shall be determined. Drainage of water flows, type of irrigation system(s), areas of standing water and any safeguards against water back-flow shall also be identified. Soil and water shall be tested, if irrigation water is untreated, re-circulated, there is surface water at risk of contamination by P. ramorum, or soil contains culled plant material or bark of host plants [those regulated plants identified in the List of Plants Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)].

Appendix 6 outlines a detailed water sampling protocol. Any surface water, irrigation sources, or any run off from the retail nursery, should be considered for sampling. Water sampling is not required for irrigation water from municipal water facilities that treat their water prior to release, but any retention pond or area where water collects at the retail nursery site shall be sampled.

6.6 Cull piles

The location of any cull piles that may be contaminated with infested plant material or associated soil and/or potting media shall be recorded. Cull piles shall be inspected for P. ramorum symptomatic plants, and samples collected, if warranted. Disposition actions for the cull pile shall be identified (e.g., composted, removed to land fills, etc.) on notices if the cull pile is found to be infested. Soil adjacent to the cull pile shall also be tested for the presence of P. ramorum and ordered treated or destroyed if it is found to be infested. Particular attention shall be paid to the soil at the edge of the down-slope of the pile.

6.7 Survey of Fungicide Use

Determine if fungicides are used on the plants at the retail nursery. If fungicides were used, copies of records regarding the dates of treatments, the material(s) used, the amounts used and application rates shall be recorded. Inspectors shall determine if any other type of treatments (soil amendments, fertilizers) are applied to the plants, soil or growth media.

7.0 Regulatory Control – Destruction of Infested Material

Areas to be destroyed shall be identified based upon sampling outcomes. The destruction area consists of all plants identified as infested as well as all host plants [those regulated plants identified in the List of Plants Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)] within 2 m of the infested plants. These plants shall be destroyed.

Destruction orders shall be provided to the retail nursery using the appropriate notice, as per the instructions specified in Appendix 4.

Plant debris in the destruction area must be collected by raking in from the outer edge in towards the infested plants from a distance of three (3) metres outside the perimeter of the destruction area. Debris must be double-bagged and disposed of with the infested plants according to the requirements.

8.0 Regulatory Control – Treatment of Infested Soil and Water

Where water, soil or growing media at the facility has been found to be positive for P. ramorum, treatment is required in accordance with the specifications in Appendix 2. Additionally, if the infested water was used for irrigation purposes, all plants and growing media in the irrigated area shall be tested and placed under facility quarantine until testing confirms that the plants are free of evidence of P. ramorum.

If any plants, plant material, growing media, or soil from a cull pile is found to be positive for P. ramorum, the cull pile must be treated or destroyed using one or more of the techniques detailed in Appendix 2. The appropriate notice must be issued as per Appendix 4.

9.0 Regulatory Control – Quarantined Areas Following Destruction

Once destruction and treatment activities ordered by the CFIA are complete, all remaining host plants [those regulated plants identified in the List of Plants Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)] within a two (2) m radius of the destruction area identified in Section 8 shall be held for a period of 90 days. This area is known as the quarantine area. The 90 day period must be conducive to the detection of the pathogen in plants.

During the quarantine period:

  • Plants under quarantine may only be moved within or out of the quarantine area if it is authorized on a notice provided by a CFIA Inspector.
  • All high risk host plants [those genera listed in the List of Plants Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)] within the quarantine area shall be inspected and sampled at least twice during environmental conditions conducive to expression of the disease. Any other plants showing symptoms resembling P. ramorum should also be sampled. Inspection and sampling should occur at about halfway through the anticipated quarantine period and once again near the end of quarantine, with the final test results coinciding with the end of the quarantine.
  • If a plant sample tests positive for P. ramorum, the destruction area(s) shall be redefined, and the quarantine period reestablished.
  • If water, soil, and/or media samples tested positive for P. ramorum during the delimiting survey, samples of the infested water, soil, and/or media material will be re-sampled and tested during each of the two quarantine period plant samplings. If these samples test positive for P. ramorum, the destruction and treatment activities shall be redefined and the quarantine period re-established. Note: if water is not to be used for plant production, subsequent sampling may not be required.
  • If a soil sample or potting media sample is found to be positive, then any plants (host or non-host) in area where infested soil is present shall be placed under an appropriate quarantine notice, sampled and tested.

10.0 Release of the Retail nursery from Quarantine

The retail nursery will be released from quarantine once destruction and treatment activities ordered by the CFIA are complete, and if subsequent testing as identified in Section 10 indicates that no further infestations of P. ramorum are present in the retail nursery.

11.0 Post Eradication Monitoring

Nurseries that have been infested will continue to be monitored for two years following release from quarantine. Sampling shall take place during a season in which there are optimal conditions for the growth and development of P. ramorum symptoms. These nurseries are not under any quarantine or regulatory action, unless additional outbreaks are detected.

12.0 Appendices

Appendix 1 – List of High Risk Host Plants
Appendix 2 – Treatments and Disinfections
Appendix 3 – Biosecurity Measures for Nurseries under Regulatory Control
Appendix 4 – General recommendations on the use of regulatory forms
Appendix 5 – Inspector's Checklist and Record
Appendix 6 – Sampling of Soil and Water
Appendix 7 – Sample Handling and Laboratory Submission

Appendix 1

List of High Risk Host Plants

Plants of the following genera:

  • Camellia
  • Rhododendron
  • Pieris
  • Kalmia
  • Viburnum

Appendix 2

Treatments and Disinfections

The following treatments may be ordered by CFIA in the event of detection of P. ramorum in plants, soil, media or water.

Alternative treatments may be proposed to CFIA and may be utilized if approved by the CFIA in writing.

1. Infested Plants

Note: host material, including leaf litter, must not be placed in compost piles or be removed from the facility as trash or in debris removal. Host material shall be collected and incinerated or double-bagged and deep buried in a site approved by CFIA.

Incineration (burning to ash): Infested plants, associated growth media, associated containers (i.e., pots and trays), all leaf debris in and around the area where plants were stored may be disposed of by incineration at a facility or other location (e.g., on site) if permitted within provincial and municipal statutes or regulations and acceptable to CFIA. Off-nursery movement must be properly safeguarded and every effort to prevent plant debris or soil from being dislodged from the plants prior to incineration shall be taken. Burning may be through open burning or in an incinerator.

Deep burial: Infested plants, associated growth media, associated containers (i.e., pots and trays), all leaf debris in and around the area where plants were stored must be double-bagged using plastic bags of 2 mm thickness or greater and buried to a depth of no less than two metres. The material must be buried at a CFIA approved site. Every effort to prevent plant debris or soil from being dislodged from the plants shall be taken.

2. Non-Porous Surfaces

Most disinfectants are not labelled for use in soil and are only useful for nonporous materials such as concrete floors, nursery pots, and plastic sheeting. A number of disinfectants are registered for use on nonporous surfaces that may effectively reduce populations of Phytophthora species. If it is practicable, tools such as knives, pruners, water breakers, water wands and other implements used in the quarantine area shall only be used in the quarantine area. If tools and other implements must be moved from the quarantine area, then regular disinfection, using an appropriate disinfectant for the control of P. ramorum, is required prior to removal from the quarantine area. Any porous surfaces (soil-like) will require treatment, as described for soil.

Water

Water shall be treated with a method approved by the CFIA, e.g., enough chlorine that will result in 2 mg/litre of active chlorine or greater in samples taken at the emitters/sprinklers. The treatment must be approved by the regulatory official, and must be properly monitored and documented.

3. Soil and Potting Media

Potting media: Potting media must be heated such that the temperature in the centre of the load reaches at least 82°C for 30 minutes. Treatment must be conducted in the presence of an inspector.

Soil: Soil must be heated such that the temperature in the centre of the load or throughout the soil, to a depth of at least 10 cm, reaches at least 82°C for 30 minutes. Treatment must be conducted in the presence of an inspector.

Appendix 3

Biosecurity Measures for Nurseries under Regulatory Control

The following measures shall be put in place by affected nurseries and may be ordered by CFIA inspectors:

1. Restricted Access

Access to infested areas and hold areas shall be limited to officials and employees. Proper control measures shall be used to prevent unauthorized access including, the use of physical barriers such as barricade tape, temporary fences, hanging tarps, and the use of additional signage identifying an area as restricted. Where it is necessary that visitors enter the facility, the facility shall ensure that every precaution is taken to prevent the movement of infested plants, contaminated soil or debris with the visitor.

2. Sanitation Practices

Appropriate biosecurity measures must be taken to ensure that P. ramorum is not transferred from the destruction area to non-infested areas of the retail nursery. Work shall be scheduled to enable employees to progress from low risk areas to the higher risk quarantine area over the course of the work day. If possible, no inspector shall work in the destruction area and in the rest of the facility for delimitation surveys on the same day.

3. Vehicles

If possible, vehicles shall be parked on paved, concrete or gravel areas away from the immediate inspection area. The tires (or other parts in contact with the soil) of vehicles must be cleaned of soil before leaving the infested facility. A portion of the vehicle must be designated as a clean area and another area such as the trunk or a specified enclosed area shall be designated as a dirty area to hold double-bagged clothes, equipment or material for disposal.

4. Clothing

Coveralls (cloth or disposable) shall be worn for inspection activities. At the completion of the inspection or prior to working in other areas of the retail nursery, coveralls must be double-bagged for disposal/cleaning and stowed in a designated dirty area of the vehicle.

5. Footwear

Footwear shall be cleaned/disinfested on arrival to mitigate any quarantine pest risks and to provide confidence to the facility operator that CFIA is taking appropriate biosecurity measures. A disinfectant foot bath shall be placed and used by personnel entering and exiting the quarantine area at the infested facility, where the movement of soil or plant debris on footwear is likely. The foot bath must be filled with fresh disinfectant on a daily basis. Disposable shoe covers may be used in lieu of a footbath. Upon completion of the inspection, footwear must be cleaned of soil and disinfested, and disposable boot covers must be double-bagged prior to placing into the designated dirty area of the vehicle.

6. Hands

Those working with, or in contact with suspected infested material (including plants), must wash hands using soap or disinfectant immediately after completion of task. In addition, hands shall be thoroughly washed with soap and water (rubbing hands together with soapy water for a minimum of 20 seconds) before entering and after leaving the inspection site. If a hand wash station is not available, antiseptic rubs/gels/rinses must be used (with a minimum of 70% ethyl alcohol). Disposable gloves may be used, and must be double-bagged for disposal.

7. Equipment

Tools such as knives, pruners, water breakers, water wands and other implements used in the quarantine area shall only be used in the quarantine area. Otherwise, any equipment used at a work site must be disinfested prior to leaving the work site. Where practical, equipment shall be disinfested as frequently as possible at each work site. If equipment must leave work site for disinfection, it must be double-bagged before being placed in the designated dirty area of the vehicle.

Appendix 4

General recommendations on the use of regulatory forms

Note: The recommended regulatory forms and wording contained in the table below are meant as general recommendations only, and should not be interpreted as strict guidelines necessarily applicable in all situations. The circumstances presented in each situation should guide the most appropriate course of action in the achievement of effective eradication.

Process/Steps Instructions/Requirements Recommended Forms
(including information on wording in relation to certain templates)
1. Upon detection of P. ramorum at a propagation nursery a. Quarantine and hold (i) all host plants, and (ii) all plants within the block(s) of plants in which the infested plant(s) are found (facility quarantine), until completion of delimitation/sampling and destruction/treatment.

b. Permit nursery to carry out nursery operations to maintain health of plants, in accordance with standards established in the protocol or on CFIA notices and with management practices (Appendix 3).

c. As applicable, secure cull pile(s) and potentially infested soil(s) or water used for irrigation, until all testing complete.

 1. Notice of Quarantine, CFIA/ACIA 0106 (2003/04):

Ending On (date): Until a notice of release is issued

Description of thing(s): All host plants, host plant parts and associated soil and growing media at the location described below. Host plants are those regulated plants identified in the List of Plants Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death). In addition, all plants, plant parts and associated soil and growing media within the block(s) of plants in which the infested plant(s) is/are found. A block of plants is defined as a group of plants found together with a boundary formed by a separation of 2 metres produced by either non-host plants or no plants.
*As applicable, add as things cull pile(s), soil(s) and/or water used for irrigation.

Conditions of quarantine: Activities may be carried out for the purpose of maintaining the health of plants, provided such activities are not in contravention of the standards and biosecurity measures contained in the attached document.
2. Upon detection of P. ramorum from water, soil, growing media or cull pile sampling, including from plants, plant material, growing media or soil in cull pile a. Order treatment and/or disposal in accordance one or more of the techniques and specifications in Appendix 2.

b. If infested water was used for irrigation, quarantine the plants and growing media found in the irrigation area until testing confirms freedom from P. ramorum.

 2a. Notice of Requirement to Treat or Process, CFIA/ACIA 0112 (2008/02), as applicable:

Description of the place or thing(s): Describe thing(s) in question and place where found in accordance to the particular circumstance.

Treatment or process: Refer to treatments contained in Appendix 2 in accordance to the particular circumstance.

Manner of treatment or process: Refer to treatment methods contained in Appendix 2 in accordance to the particular circumstance.

AND/OR

Notice to Dispose, CFIA/ACIA 0107 (2004/07), as applicable:

Manner of disposition: Refer to disposal methods contained in Appendix 2. Identify that the things are to be disposed of in a manner that prevents the entry, introduction or spread of pests into Canada by incineration or deep burial to a depth of no less than 2 metres in an area where the soil will not be disturbed following burial. The non-compliant materials must be immediately covered with soil/dirt. The grower must maintain identification of things to be disposed, to allow CFIA to know what has been moved and track the affected material through the process.

Place of disposition: Refer to disposal methods contained in Appendix 2. The description shall be in accordance with the disposal method used. For example, if disposal by deep burial, the location of the sanitary land fill shall be noted. In this case, a Movement Certificate would also be necessary, which is usually used in conjunction with a Notice to Dispose.

Description of thing(s): Describe thing(s) in question.

Movement Certificate, CFIA/ACIA 0108 (2002/09):

Description of the thing(s): Precisely describe the thing(s) to be moved. CFIA must be able to verify that the material being shipped is identifiable at destination. The use of labels, etc., is recommended. There is an associated responsibility of the grower to maintain identification of things to be moved.

Conditions of movement: Refer to safeguards illustrated in Appendix 2 and as applicable.

2b.Notice of Quarantine, CFIA/ACIA 0106 (2003/04):

Ending On (date): Until a notice of release is issued

Description of thing(s): Describe plants and/or growing media found in the irrigation area.

Conditions of quarantine: Activities may be carried out for the sole purpose of maintaining the health of plants, provided such activities are not in contravention of the standards and biosecurity measures contained in the attached document.
3. Upon extent of the infestation being known, i.e., once survey and sampling is completed a. Identification of destruction area(s), in accordance with protocol (7.0, 7.1, 7.2).

b. Order the destruction of the plants within the area(s) identified, to be completed in accordance with specifications in Appendix 2.

c. Require collection, double bagging and disposal of plant debris in accordance with the protocol including Appendix 2.

 3. Notice to Dispose, CFIA/ACIA 0107 (2004/07):

Manner of disposition: Refer to disposal methods contained in Appendix 2. Identify that the things are to be disposed of in a manner that prevents the entry, introduction or spread of pests into Canada by incineration or deep burial to a depth of no less than 2 metres in an area where the soil will not be disturbed following burial. The non-compliant materials must be immediately covered with soil/dirt. The grower must maintain identification of things to be disposed, to allow CFIA to know what has been moved and track the affected material through the process. In addition, mention should be made that plant debris in the destruction area must be collected by raking in from the outer edge in towards the infested plants from a distance of three metres outside the perimeter of the destruction area. Debris must be double-bagged and disposed of with the infested plants according to the requirements.

Place of disposition: Refer to disposal methods contained in Appendix 2. The description shall be in accordance with the disposal method used. For example, if disposal by deep burial, the location of the sanitary land fill shall be noted. In this case, a Movement Certificate would also be necessary, which is usually used in conjunction with a Notice to Dispose.

Description of thing(s): Describe the plants within the applicable destruction area based on whether the infested plants are high or low risk host plants and on corresponding criteria (7.1 and 7.2).

Movement Certificate, CFIA/ACIA 0108 (2002/09):

Description of the thing(s): Precisely describe the thing(s) to be moved. CFIA must be able to verify that the material being shipped is identifiable at destination. The use of labels, etc., is recommended. There is an associated responsibility of the grower to maintain identification of things to be moved.

Conditions of movement: Refer to safeguards illustrated in Appendix 2 and as applicable.
4. Upon completion of the destruction in accordance with order(s) a. Remove facility quarantine

b. Quarantine 10 m around identified destruction areas, holding all host plants within this area for a minimum of 90 days following the date of the first positive test result (post-destruction quarantine).

c. Restrict movement of non-host plants within area of post-destruction quarantine.

d. If a plant sample tests positive during post-destruction quarantine, redefine destruction area(s) and area(s) under quarantine and re-establish quarantine period (refer to step 3 above).

e. As applicable, if a soil or potting media sample is found to be positive, quarantine any plants in the block until sampled and tested.

 4a. Notice of Release from Quarantine, CFIA/ACIA 0109 (2004/01):

Description of thing(s): Include all things indicated on the corresponding Notice of Quarantine, less those items which have been destroyed through treatment or disposal.

4b/c. Notice of Quarantine, CFIA/ACIA 0106 (2003/04):

Ending On (date): Ninety-days (90) days following the date of the first positive test results.

Description of thing(s): All host plants, host plant parts and associated soil and growing media within an area starting from the infested plant(s) up to 10 metres around the identified destruction area(s). Host plants are those regulated plants identified in the List of Plants Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death).

Conditions of quarantine: Activities may be carried out for the sole purpose of maintaining the health of plants, provided such activities are not in contravention of the standards and biosecurity measures contained in the attached document. For the purpose of preventing or controlling the spread of P. ramorum, non-host plants within the area subject to quarantine may only be moved if the conditions for movement have been prescribed in writing by a CFIA inspector in accordance with a Movement Certificate.

4e. Notice of Quarantine, CFIA/ACIA 0106 (2003/04), as applicable:

Ending On (date): Until a notice of release is issued.

Description of thing(s): All plants, plant parts and associated soil and growing media within the block(s) of plants in which the infested soil or potting media is found. A block of plants is defined as a group of plants found together with a boundary formed by a separation of 2 metres produced by either non-host plants or no plants.

Conditions of quarantine: Activities may be carried out for the sole purpose of maintaining the health of plants, provided such activities are not in contravention of the standards and biosecurity measures contained in the attached document.
5. Upon completion of post-destruction quarantine period a. Remove post-destruction quarantine, if conditions are satisfied (10.2).*

*Under certain circumstances (10.1), removal from quarantine may occur prior to the post-destruction quarantine period.

 5a. Notice of Release from Quarantine, CFIA/ACIA 0109 (2004/01):

Description of thing(s): Include all things indicated on the corresponding Notice of Quarantine.

 

Appendix 5

Inspector's Checklist and Record

Name of Business: 

Manager's Name: 

Owner's Name: 

Site address: 

Mailing address: 

Contact phone number: 

Contact fax number: 

Type of facility:

checkbox Retail Nursery

checkbox Propagation Nursery

checkbox Retail Greenhouse

checkbox Propagation Greenhouse

checkbox Other

GPS Coordinates: 

Size of site: 

Site Information:

What is the water source? 

Is the water re-used/re-circulated? If yes, explain system. 

Is there treatment of the water (detail treatment if applicable)? 

Are there established biosecurity measures in place to deal with equipment use and personnel? Explain

Is soil/media sourced off site? If yes, what is the source? 

Is composted material or bark added to the soil mix? If, yes, what is the source of this material? 

List the locations of cull piles and debris piles on the site: 

Attach a sketched map of the facility (include shipping areas).

Chemical Use

Are fungicides used on the facility? 

When were plants that have tested positive last treated with fungicides? 

What product was used, when and at what application rate? 

Condition of plants

Have the suspect plants been trimmed or pruned? 

How are the trimmings disposed of? 

Did the plant material come in pots? 

Were pots disposed of or re-used? 

If re-used, how were they handled? 

Has the producer noticed any problems with plants on the property? If yes,
describe. 

Has the producer moved any plants to a different location? 

What types/varieties were moved? 

How long ago? 

What is the location of the moved plants? 

Trace Back Activities

What is the origin (to the point of propagation) of the infested material? 

Plants were propagated 

Plant types 

Plant numbers 

Obtain invoices, packing slips and other relevant documentation for the past 12 months.

Appendix 6

Sampling of Soil and Water

1. Soil and Potting Media Sampling

Infested soil or growing media will look exactly the same as un-infested soil or growing media. Therefore all soil and media must be handled carefully. All tools used to collect soil or media samples must be disinfested with 10% bleach solution, quaternary ammonium solution or flame-sterilized with a propane torch between samplings. All soil and organic material shall be removed from the tools prior to disinfection. Care shall also be taken not to transfer soil or growing media from one area of the nursery to the next on shoes or clothing. All sampling equipment shall be cleaned and disinfested prior to entering the nursery. Care must be taken to ensure that un-infested soil or growing media is not contaminated by infested soil or growing media. If the areas of soil/media infestation are known or suspected sample these areas last. In other words, begin soil and potting medium sampling at outer edges of buffer zone and work toward the destruction area(s).

1.1 Preparing for sampling

Soil and growing media samples shall be collected as composite samples. Composite samples of growing media shall be kept separate from soil samples. A composite sample consists of a mixture of sub-samples. Sub-samples (See Figure 1) are small amounts of soil (or media) removed from the ground (or pot) and added together to form a composite sample. The use of sub-sampling increases the chances of finding P. ramorum if it is present. Samples shall contain a maximum of 500-ml (volume) of soil and/or growing media (1/2 of a quart-size Ziploc® bag). The number of composite samples collected will depend upon the size of the retail nursery being sampled (see Table 1). There shall be at least two samples, one for growing media and one for soil, unless all plants and associated growing media were destroyed or the plants are not on soil (e.g., on concrete or asphalt). If the surface of soil is covered with gravel take sub-samples from the soil beneath the gravel. If water permeable weed block is present, either covered with gravel or under gravel, the weed block shall be removed prior to soil sampling.

Table 1: Number of composite samples collected based on nursery size.
Size of Treated Sites (hectares) Sq Metre No. of Soil and Growing Samples Collected (total)
0.00<n<0.1 n>1012 5 (10)
0.1<n<0.2 1012<n<2023 10 (20)
0.2<n<0.4 2023<n<4046 20 (40)
n>0.4 n>4046 30 (60)

Each composite sample will consist of at least five sub-samples collected from soil or growing media within the targeted area. While five is a minimum, it is preferable to take 24 sub-samples of soil or growing media for each sample, provided the area is large enough (for soil samples) and enough plants are present (for growing media samples). Sub-samples shall be collected according the pattern in the diagram below (Figure 1). Alternatively, if fallen leaves or other debris from the infested plants are present; sub-sampling may be targeted towards those areas. The location of each composite sample shall be maintained (preferably by GPS but at least by flagging) in case follow-up treatment of the soil or growing media for P. ramorum is required. Composite samples may also be collected from neighbouring un-infested plants using the same steps. If you are collecting from areas of un-infested plants, collect the composite soil/growing media samples from these areas first to minimize the risk of contaminating un-infested soil/growing media. If all potentially-infested growing media has been destroyed with the infested plants, collect composite samples from the remaining host plants (those regulated plants identified in the List of Plants Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)) within 2 to 10 m of the originally infested plants that have been placed on hold. Preferentially target the growing media of those plants that are downstream(e.g., based on watering patterns) of the originally infested plants.

Figure 1: Recommended pattern for collection of sub-samples for composite soil and/or growing media samples.

Figure 1: Recommended pattern for collection of sub-samples for composite soil and/or growing media samples (multiple passes using a zig-zag pattern)

2. Water Samples

2.1 In Situ Water Sampling With Leaf Baits
  1. Prepare the leaves (contact the Central Plant Health Lab for appropriate leaves) as bait by cutting the leaves in a herringbone pattern into (but not through) the mid-vein or by trimming off the petiole end of each leaf.
  2. Place 3-4 cut leaves into a mesh bag. Label the bag with a plastic tag listing the date, water source (location), and nursery (i.e., nursery license number).
  3. Place the mesh bag into the water source for a minimum of 48-h to 1-wk (preferable).
  4. Do not leave the bait in the water source for longer than 1-wk as the bait will begin to decompose.
  5. Place the bags such that the leaves will remain submerged the entire time (i.e., even if water levels fluctuate within the water source). If possible, place the bait near the influent coming from the area closest to or containing the infested plants.
  6. Remove the bait from the water source and transfer to a sealable bag.
2.2 Water Sampling for Filtration
  1. Water samples shall be collected in a sterile wide-mouth bottle and kept at 5 - 10°C.
  2. Water samples shall be taken from the surface to increase the likelihood of obtaining zoospores of Phytophthora.
  3. Sample size shall be approximately 1000 ml. Number of samples is determined by the size of the nursery pond to be sampled (Table 1).
  4. Sample shall be processed within 48 hours of collection. Samples shall be submitted according to the protocols established in Appendix 7.
Table 1. Number of composite samples collected based on pond size.
Size of pond (acres) No. of water samples collected (litres)
0.00 - 0.25 1
0.26 - 0.5 2
0.50 - 1.0 4
1.01 - 2.50 8
>2.51 12

 

Appendix 7

Sample Handling and Laboratory Submission

Critical Instructions for Sample Submission:

  1. Complete a Pest Interception Report (PIR) Form CFIA/ACIA 1303 which is available on Informed Filler.
  2. Submitters shall give an estimate to the lab of how many samples will be sent and when in advance of shipment.
  3. Each sample must be separately bagged (in the case of water sample bottles, place these inside a bag).
  4. On each sample bag record, in permanent marker: the sampling location, area ID's (if possible), plant genus (where possible), sampling date, PIR Number.
  5. Place all of the individual sample bags into a large plastic bag for shipping.
  6. Ship all samples by express courier in Styrofoam coolers containing ice packs. Samples shall not directly contact the ice packs.
  7. Separate sample bags with layers of newspaper or other insulation.
  8. At the end of each sampling day, samples must be stored in a cold room or refrigerator at 4°C ± 2°C prior to shipping.
  9. Be sure to include a copy of all PIR(s) inside the box. Indicate P. ramorum on the outside of the sample box.
  10. Send all samples by courier.