Archived - Notice to industry – New movement restrictions in place to prevent the spread of hemlock woolly adelgid

December 19, 2017 – Ottawa – Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Following the recent detection of hemlock woolly adelgid in southwestern Nova Scotia, movement restrictions on regulated materials have been put in place for the counties of Digby, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth and Annapolis in the province of Nova Scotia.

In order to slow the spread of hemlock woolly adelgid and protect non-infested areas in Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) restricts the movement of susceptible wood products from infested areas. As a result, wood products from these counties may be moved within the regulated area but may not be moved to non-infested areas.

Movement of the following items out of the regulated area is prohibited unless authorized by the CFIA:

• Hemlock, Yeddo spruce, and Tiger-tail spruce:

  • Plants for planting (i.e. nursery stock, roots, bulbs, seeds and other plant parts)
  • Forest products with bark attached (i.e. logs, lumber, bark chips, wood mulch)
  • Dried branches
  • Christmas trees
  • Fresh decorative wreaths, foliage and branches
• Firewood of all species

These movement restrictions expand upon existing restrictions for the province of British Columbia, which have been in place since 2007.

Requirements in the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Infested Place Order, the Plant Protection Act or the Plant Protection Regulations, take precedence over the requirements outlined in D-07-05: Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the introduction and spread of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand) from the United States and within Canada. This directive will be updated in the upcoming months.

Hemlock woolly adelgid is an aphid-like insect that attacks and kills hemlock trees. It can be spread by wind, animals, and human movement of nursery stock, logs, and firewood and other wood products. Hemlock woolly adelgid does not pose a risk to human health. It can, however, damage or kill hemlock trees.

Associated Links

• Hemlock woolly adelgid infested places order
• Don't move firewood campaign
• D-07-05: Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the introduction and spread of hemlock woolly adelgid from the United States and within Canada
• Hemlock woolly adelgid – additional information
• News release: hemlock woolly adelgid confirmed in Nova Scotia