RMD-08-02: Eriochloa villosa (Woolly Cup Grass)

Date Issued:  2009-09-18

Preface

As described by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) includes three stages: initiation, pest risk assessment and pest risk management. Initiating the PRA process involves identifying pests and pathways of concern and defining the PRA area. Pest risk assessment provides the scientific basis for the overall management of risk. Pest risk management is the process of identifying and evaluating potential mitigation measures which may be applied to reduce the identified pest risk to acceptable levels and selecting appropriate measures.

This Risk Management Document (RMD) includes a summary of the findings of a pest risk assessment and records the pest risk management process for the identified issue. It is consistent with the principles, terminology and guidelines provided in the IPPC standards for pest risk analysis.

Table of Contents

1.0 Purpose

  • To examine, with affected stakeholders, the options for mitigating the risks associated with the introduction of Eriochloa villosa (Thunb.) Kunth (woolly cup grass) into Canada.
  • To record the pest risk management decision taken.

2.0 Scope

This Risk Management Document (RMD) examines the risks associated with the introduction of Eriochloa villosa (Thunb.) Kunth (woolly cup grass) into Canada and outlines potential risk management options. It focuses on the phytosanitary risks associated with the plant taxon itself. Risk analysis of pests associated with this taxon is not within the scope of this document.

3.0 Definitions

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

4.0 Background

Eriochloa villosa was first detected in Canada in southern Quebec during 2000. The Ministère de l'agriculture, des pêcheries et de l'alimentation du Quebec (MAPAQ, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec), jointly with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), started an eradication pilot project and the site was placed under supervision in 2002. The land owner carried out eradication work under the supervision of the MAPAQ. The MAPAQ issued information bulletin on Eriochloa villosa through the Réseau d'avertissement phytosanitaire (RAP) (phytosanitary alert network) in order to reach agricultural professionals in Quebec (Néron, 2003).

In 2002, the CFIA Plant Health Risk Assessment Unit completed a Pest Risk Assessment on Eriochloa villosa. Following the completion of the Pest Risk Assessment and consultation with interested stakeholders, Eriochloa villosa was added as a prohibited noxious weed to the Weed Seeds Order (which came into effect in July 2005).

Since 2003, the CFIA has intercepted five imported lots of Japanese millet seed contaminated with Eriochloa villosa. Prior to Eriochloa villosa to being added to the Weed Seeds Order in 2005, two of these seed lots were distributed among several farms in Quebec, but one has been recalled by the seed company. The sampling activity was carried out under the Marketplace Monitoring Program1. Since 2007, the CFIA has also been sampling imported grain not intended for propagation and birdfeed throughout Canada, as well as small packets of seed. None of the samples analyzed were found to contain Eriochloa villosa seed.

In 2007, the CFIA inspected around 550 fields, for a total of more than 1900 hectares, where Eriochloa villosa could have been introduced through contaminated seed lots. The CFIA repeated this detection survey in 2008. No infestations were discovered on these farms.

Two new populations were discovered in 2007 and 2008, approximately 500 metres from Site 1a. The new and smaller Sites 1b and 1c are currently delimited and under voluntary control by the land owner or the land user. These three populations, because of their proximity, are considered to be a single infested site. Another infestation (Site 2) was discovered in a soybean crop being grown for seed in Quebec in September 2007. The CFIA found no connection with the previous infested sites or with imported seed. The land owner is voluntarily collaborating with the CFIA and the MAPAQ to eradicate Eriochloa villosa from his fields. In September 2008, two more populations (Sites 3 and 4) were reported at Bedford and Standbridge-Station, Quebec. Sites 3 and 4 are approximately 2.5 kilometres apart. The source of contamination remains unknown. Consult Table 1 (next page) for a summary of the infested sites.

The efforts carried out at Sites 1a-c and 2 were done on a voluntary basis under the supervision of the MAPAQ. Land owners and land users are under no legal obligation to comply with any requirements because Eriochloa villosa is not regulated under the Plant Protection Act. The same is true for Sites 3 and 4, where the land owners and the land users have voluntarily taken precautions to prevent dispersal of seeds of Eriochloa villosa. The MAPAQ is currently evaluating whether to regulate Eriochloa villosa under the provincial Crop Health Protection Act.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada recently undertook a research project to determine the most appropriate integrated weed management tactics for eradicating Eriochloa villosa.

Table 1. Summary of Eriochloa villosa Infestations in Quebec
Infested sites Year of discovery Location Size (ha) Notes
Site 1a 2000 Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec 1.2 MAPAQ took charge of this site in 2002 in collaboration with the owner of the field. The site has been the subject of an eradication pilot project through collaboration between the MAPAQ, the CFIA and the land owner.
Site 1b 2007 Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec 0.2 This site is located approximately 500 m from Site 1a (different owner, but shared management) and has been included into the Site 1a control plan. The weed may have been spread with farm machinery from Site 1a.
Site 1c 2008 Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec 0.2 Site 1c is located around 50 m from Site 1b, and is rented by the owner of Site 1b. The land belongs to a different land owner than Site 1a and 1b. The weed may have been spread with farm machinery from Site 1a or 1b. The management of that site was included into the Site 1a control plan.
Site 2 2007 Saint-Césaire, Quebec 0.8 This site was discovered by the CFIA during a regular seed crop inspection. The site is located on a dairy farm and is under the supervision of the MAPAQ and the CFIA.
Site 3/ Site 4 2008 Bedford, Quebec and Stanbridge Station, Quebec 0.2 These sites were located in two commercial corn fields, 2.5 km apart. The fields were grown by the same dairy farm, but belong to different land owners. In both cases, the infestations are dense, but restricted to the field margins. The Site 3 infestation was reported to the MAPAQ by the grower's agronomist and the Site 4, discovered during the CFIA survey related to Site 3.

5.0 Pest Risk Assessment Summary

A Pest Risk Assessment of Eriochloa villosa was completed by the Plant Health Risk Assessment Unit (Wilson, 2002) at the request of the Plant Health Division, CFIA. Major Points discussed in the risk assessment are summarized below.

  • Eriochloa villosa is a tall, annual grass weed of the millet tribe (Paniceae, family Poaceae), native to temperate Asia and introduced into the United States in the mid-1900s. It is becoming an increasingly serious pest in the midwest U.S., where it reduces corn and soybean yields through competition, and increases the cost of weed control. Particularly problematic is its tolerance to several of the herbicides commonly used to control annual grass weeds. It is considered to be spreading rapidly across the United States and is currently reported in 11 states2.
  • For this risk assessment, the pest risk assessment area is considered to be all of Canada. Eriochloa villosa was recently identified near Montreal, Quebec, where it has survived winter conditions and continues to spread3. This is the first reported occurrence of Eriochloa villosa in Canada, and it may also represent a northward expansion of the plant's range in North America.
  • Likelihood of introduction is considerable. Factors that are favorable for the introduction of Eriochloa villosa into Canada include: 1) the prevalence of the weed in corn and soybean crops in the midwest United States, 2) the constant movement of people and vehicles across the Canada-United States border, 3) the high volume of corn and soybeans imported to Canada from the United States each year, 4) the size of Eriochloa villosa seeds which make it more likely to pass undetected through standard seed cleaning measures, and 5) the likelihood that dormant seeds will survive transit. The presence of Eriochloa villosa at Site 1a shows that at least one pathway has already proved effective.
  • Establishment potential is considerable. Eriochloa villosa is certainly capable of surviving and becoming established in Canada, and based on its range in the United States and its presence at Site 1a, its potential range includes at least the corn and soybean growing areas in Canadian Plant Hardiness Zones 3-8, and possibly 2-8. These zones cover southern Ontario and Quebec, all of the maritime provinces, parts of the southern prairies and British Columbia and a strip up each coastline. The Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia areas correspond with Canada's main corn and soybean production zones. Overall, this comprises less than one third of the pest risk assessment area (the total area of Canada). However, Eriochloa villosa may not be limited to corn and soybean fields, and its worldwide distribution suggests a climatic tolerance that could allow it grow in all but the extreme arctic regions of Canada.
  • Natural spread potential is moderate. Eriochloa villosa is an annual, so that only seeds need survive the winter. Plants germinate earlier than those of most other grass weeds, and undergo several germination flushes in the course of a season. A single plant is capable of producing up to 164,000 seeds in a season under ideal conditions, some of which will germinate the following spring and some of which will enter the seed bank. Mechanisms for natural seed dispersal are not known, so that potential distances for natural dispersal cannot be estimated. The rating is assigned based on high reproductive potential together with the evidence that Eriochloa villosa has spread extensively in the United States since its introduction in the 1940s. Further information about natural dispersal mechanisms could change this rating. Human activity is an additional factor not included in the risk rating, and it is worth noting that dirty farm machinery is considered the most common source of new infestations in the United States.
  • Potential economic impact is moderate. The primary economic impacts of Eriochloa villosa are reduced crop yield caused by competition with corn and soybeans, and increased cost of control. Impacts are more pronounced in corn than in soybeans, as Eriochloa villosa is most competitive with annual crops of similar growth habit. It has been estimated that season-long competition from uncontrolled grass weeds such as Eriochloa villosa can reduce corn yields by up to 50%. Weed control is a standard component of any crop production system, but Eriochloa villosa is more difficult to control than many other grass weeds. In the United States, management of Eriochloa villosa has required the development of integrated programs that include cultural methods as well as increased cultivation and herbicide use. The additional herbicides alone may double the cost of chemicals needed in corn production, or increase the producer's overall operating costs by about 18%. These are significant economic impacts in an industry worth at least $19.2 billion in the United States in 2001 (value of grain corn produced only).4
  • Potential environmental impact is low. There is no evidence that Eriochloa villosa has direct impacts on natural ecosystems or native species in its introduced range in the United States. It is not reported to have established in natural areas, nor are there any reports of invasive behaviour outside agricultural fields. There are no reports of toxicity to livestock or humans, or impacts on recreation, aesthetics or property. Eriochloa villosa is most likely to affect the environment indirectly, through the impacts of increased tillage and herbicides used in control programs.
  • The overall risk associated with Eriochloa villosa is evaluated as moderate. This indicates that specific phytosanitary measures may be necessary. As a result of this assessment (Wilson, 2002), it is recommended that Eriochloa villosa be considered for inclusion on both the Regulated Pest List (CFIA, 2009) and the Weed Seeds Order5. It may also be appropriate to initiate or support a control program for the Site 1a near Montreal6, in that it is not widely distributed and actions are being taken to eradicate it. Early control of Eriochloa villosa is important, as the longer the population is left to establish and spread the larger the seed bank and the more difficult it will be to eradicate.

6.0 Risk Management Considerations

6.1 Legal Basis for the Proposed Options

  • Eriochloa villosa is regulated under the Seeds Act and Regulations. The Seeds Act provides authority for the testing, inspection, quality and sale of seeds in Canada. This species is listed as a Class 1 Prohibited Noxious Weed under the Weed Seeds Order. Its presence in domestic and imported seed is prohibited (Seeds Act).
  • Eriochloa villosa could also be regulated under the Plant Protection Act and Regulations as a plant prescribed as a pest. The Plant Protection Act provides authority to prevent the importation, exportation and spread of pests injurious to plants, and provides for control and eradication methods and for the issuance of certificates. According to the Pest Risk Assessment, this plant meets the definition of quarantine pest7. Any action taken against Eriochloa villosa must be necessary, cost-justifiable and feasible (Plant Protection Regulations).
  • Eriochloa villosa is not specifically regulated under any provincial legislation, but the MAPAQ is evaluating the possibility of regulating Eriochloa villosa under the provincial Crop Health Protection Act.
  • Eriochloa villosa is not currently regulated by foreign countries.

6.2 Risk Associated with Non-Intentional Introduction Pathways

6.2.1 Importation of field crops not intended for propagation and importation of seed

The total value of barley, corn, oat, soybean, sorghum and wheat grain not intended for propagation imported in Canada in 2008 was around $730 million. Of this amount, 68% of imports were from countries where Eriochloa villosa was present, with the majority from the U.S. states of Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri. China is a significant exporter to Canada as well ($10 million).

Seed and grain of millet and related crops8 were not mentioned as a means of dispersal in the Pest Risk Assessment. However, they are known to be a pathway for the introduction of Eriochloa villosa. Its seed size equals 163 seeds/gram, placing Eriochloa villosa between Proso millet and pearl millet (Pennisetum sp.)9. Since 2003, the CFIA has intercepted five imported lots of Japanese millet (Echinochloa esculenta) seed containing Eriochloa villosa seed.

In 2006, millet grain and seed imports to Canada totaled $2.8 million; 55% of all imports came from regions in the United States or foreign countries where Eriochloa villosa is present (Statistics Canada, 2007). Of the total volume of millet grain and seed at risk of containing Eriochloa villosa seeds, 80% was shipped to Ontario (CFIA, internal data).

6.2.2 Importation of soil and related matter with used farm machinery, vehicles and combines

The CFIA regulates the import of soil through Directive 95-26: "Phytosanitary requirements for soil and related matter, alone or in association with plants" (CFIA, 2008). In 2003, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) assumed responsibility for the initial import inspection services in respect of the Acts and Regulations administered by the CFIA to the extent that they are applicable at Canadian border points. The inspections of goods that may be contaminated with soil are among the responsibilities that were transferred to the CBSA in 2003. The Food, Plant and Animals Programs Unit of the CBSA is currently finalizing its Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) concerning the "Inspection of Imported Goods Potentially Contaminated with Soil". This SOP provides the CBSA's Border Services Officers with formal procedures for the inspection and disposition of goods that may be contaminated with soil, including used agricultural machinery and vehicles.

7.0 Pest Risk Management Options

7.1 Option 1: Do Not Regulate Eriochloa villosa

  1. Re-classify Eriochloa villosa from Class 1, Prohibited Noxious Weed, to a lower class of the Weed Seeds Order.
  2. Discontinue involvement in the Quebec pilot project and do not require any control measures in the event that new infestations are discovered.

Advantage:

  • No additional costs for the CFIA.

Disadvantages:

  • The dispersal of Eriochloa villosa will result in added production costs for Canadian farmers. The Table 2 and Figure 2 show the potential impact for Canadian farmers, using the example of corn crops. According to Statistics Canada (2007), more than 6,000 farms earn income from corn production and around 1,65 million hectares are under grain and feed corn cultivation in Canada.
  • The initial investment of around $110,000 that the CFIA has already invested for controlling and monitoring Eriochloa villosa in Quebec would be wasted.
  • The CFIA would have no authority to require mitigation measures for commodities contaminated with Eriochloa villosa or to eradicate established populations.
Table 2. Calculation of the Potential Financial Impact of Eriochloa villosa on Annual Corn Crop Revenues in Canada
Herbicide application costs Conventional corn Glyphosate tolerant corn
Additional post-herbicide application for late-emerged Eriochloa villosa plants in severe infestations (or to minimize seed production in low to medium infestations, if needed) ($/ha)a 37.07 22.24
Additional application work ($/ha)b 22.24 22.24
TOTAL Annual additional costs to control severe Eriochloa villosa infestations ($/ha) 59.31 44.48

a Mickelson et al., 2000
b Molenhuis, 2008

Figure 1: Potential Financial Impact of Eriochloa villosa on Annual Corn Crop Revenues in Canada (overall)

Figure 1: Potential Financial Impact of Eriochloa villosa on Annual Corn Crop Revenues in Canada (overall)

7.2 Option 2: Continue to Regulate Eriochloa villosa under the Seeds Act (Status Quo)

  1. Continue to regulate Eriochloa villosa in the Weed Seeds Order (under the Seeds Act) as a prohibited noxious weed.
  2. Do not regulate Eriochloa villosa under the Plant Protection Act as a quarantine pest.
  3. Continue involvement in the Quebec pilot project at Site 1a-c, without requiring phytosanitary measures against any other infestations.

Advantage:

  • The CFIA can prevent the entry and spread of Eriochloa villosa as a contaminant of seed. Eriochloa villosa, as a prohibited noxious weed species, is not permitted in imported or domestic seed. Verification of compliance can easily be carried out through the Marketplace Monitoring Program without additional cost.

Disadvantages:

  • The CFIA cannot control the presence of Eriochloa villosa in other commodities such as grain not intended for propagation.
  • The CFIA would have no authority to require phytosanitary measures to eradicate Eriochloa villosa from infested sites. To date, stakeholders have been diligent in applying the voluntary precautionary measures suggested by CFIA inspectors and the MAPAQ crop advisors. However, if new infestations were discovered in Canada, the CFIA would not be involved.
  • Without adequate mitigation measures, the species could be re-introduced by commodities other than seed or escape from infested sites with grain or farm machinery and spread into several Canadian crops, substantially increasing production costs.

7.3 Option 3: Regulate Eriochloa villosa under the Seeds Act and the Plant Protection Act

  1. Maintain Eriochloa villosa in the Weed Seeds Order (under the Seeds Act) as a prohibited noxious weed.
  2. Add Eriochloa villosa to the List of Pests Regulated by Canada (under the Plant Protection Regulations) (CFIA, 2009).
  3. Add Eriochloa villosa to existing and future Directives. These directives currently specify the pests regulated in the host commodity material (i.e. propagative and non-propagative):
    • D-99-01: Barley, Oats, Rye, Triticale and Wheat - Phytosanitary Requirements on Import, Transshipped, In-Transit and Domestic Movement (CFIA, 2007);
    • D-96-03: Plant Protection Import Requirements for Hemp (Cannabis sativa) (CFIA, 2006a);
    • D-96-08: Import and Domestic Movement Requirements, Sorghum spp. (CFIA, 2006b);
    • D-95-28: Plant Protection Import and Domestic Movement Requirements for Corn, Zea mays. Directive D-95-28 (CFIA, 2006c);
    • D-94-17: Plant Protection Phytosanitary Import Requirements for Soybean Seed. (CFIA, 2006d).
    • New directives will be developed to specify the import restrictions for regulated invasive plant species as well as to outline the import requirements for commodities currently not regulated.
  4. Continue CFIA's involvement in the Quebec pilot project at Site 1a-c and the control plan at Site 2, and implement a control plan at Sites 3 and 4.

Advantages:

  • By maintaining Eriochloa villosa in the Weed Seeds Order as a prohibited noxious weed, the CFIA limits its spread through seed.
  • Adding Eriochloa villosa to the List of Pests Regulated by Canada and amending relevant directives would give the CFIA the authority to control both import and domestic movement of the species. The CFIA would have the necessary authority to impose control measures for any infested sites discovered in Canada, and to require phytosanitary measures for any commodity or article found containing viable seeds of Eriochloa villosa.
  • While the costs to individuals or companies may be high, when balanced with the costs to Canadian growers if Eriochloa villosa were to become established on Canadian farmland regulation would generally be cost-effective.
  • At this time, eradication is still feasible. Eriochloa villosa is only known to occur at four confined sites in Canada. Up to 4000 ha10 at risk were inspected in Quebec for the presence of Eriochloa villosa in 2007 and 2008. If the CFIA delays action, this opportunity may be lost and control costs in the long term would increase significantly.

Disadvantages:

  • Minor additional extra resources would be needed to increase the frequencies of regular import audits for commodities imported from origins where Eriochloa villosa is present. Currently, the resources that have been allocated to the verification of grain imports (for the presence of a number of other invasive plant seeds) are estimated at 2 FTEs11. Corresponding resources have been allocated to conduct laboratory analyses of the samples. Substantial resource requirement increases are not anticipated.
  • Any commodity containing seed or plants of Eriochloa villosa would be refused entry or movement in Canada, re-routed to another country, treated or destroyed at the importer's expense. These expenses also include, but are not limited to, costs associated with quarantine actions resulting from accidental contamination and any seizure, confiscation and forfeiture of shipments.
  • The CFIA could require risk-based phytosanitary measures to eradicate any Eriochloa villosa infestation and prevent its spread. This could include, but is not exclusive to: restricting or prohibiting movements and activities on the infested area, requiring herbicide and/or cultural treatments, and requiring treatment or destruction of the crop harvested on the infested area, including screenings. Treatments include heat treatment, pelletizing, grinding and milling. Incineration or deep burial are acceptable means of destruction.

8.0 Pest Risk Management Decision

8.1 Decision: Adopt Option 3

For the following reasons, CFIA decided to regulate Eriochloa villosa under the Plant Protection Act as a quarantine pest:

  • The CFIA already regulates seeds, one of the major pathways of introduction, for the presence of Eriochloa villosa. All imported and domestic seed must be free of prohibited noxious weed seeds. Imported seed lots must have a laboratory certificate of analysis certifying freedom from Eriochloa villosa prior to import release. The CFIA monitors compliance with this requirement through the marketplace monitoring program.
  • The CFIA will be able to control the other potential pathways of introduction of Eriochloa villosa into Canada by amending relevant existing import directives and by developing new ones.
  • The control of Eriochloa villosa populations is feasible. Two of the four populations found in Canada (Sites 1a-c and 2) are already under official control by the CFIA in partnership with the MAPAQ, the land owners and the industry.
  • The control of Eriochloa villosa populations is cost-justifiable. The cost of regulating Eriochloa villosa is considerably lower than the costs that would ensue from its spread into Canadian crops.

8.2 Next Steps

The implementation of the regulation of Eriochloa villosa will require the following steps:

  • World Trade Organization (WTO) notification;
  • Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) notification;
  • training of CFIA inspectors and laboratory staff;
  • amendments to existing import directives;
  • development of new directives;
  • amendments to the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS);
  • in partnership with the MAPAQ, implementation of a control plan at Sites 3 and 4 and, continuation of the control of Eriochloa villosa at Sites 1a-c, c and 2;
  • increase the frequency of import monitoring of grain not intended for propagation and seed from crops and origins known to be at risk.

9.0 Communications Plan

9.1 Consultation

The external consultation occurred between December 2008 and January 2009. A list of the consulted stakeholders is provided at the Appendix II.

Stakeholders' comments received following the circulation of CFIA's Eriochloa villosa Risk Management Discussion Document (RMD-08-02) were supportive to the recommended risk management Option 3: regulate Eriochloa villosa as a quarantine pest, under the Plant Protection Act. Suggested comments and revisions were included to this document.

9.2 Next Steps

  • Post the Risk Management Decision document on the CFIA website;
  • Amend and post all relevant directives on the CFIA website;
  • Send a notification to the World Trade Organization 60 days before implementation of the regulation.

10.0 References

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 2009. Pests Regulated by Canada. Canadian Food Inspection Agency. [cited July 2009].

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 2008. Directive D-95-26: Phytosanitary requirements for soil and related matter, alone or in association with plants. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 2007. Directive D-99-01: Barley, Oats, Rye, Triticale and Wheat - Phytosanitary Requirements on Import, Transshipped, In-Transit and Domestic Movement. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 2006a. Directive D-96-03: Plant Protection Import Requirements for Hemp (Cannabis Sativa). Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 2006b. Directive D-96-08: Import and Domestic Movement Requirements, Sorghum spp. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 2006c. Directive D-95-28: Plant Protection Import and Domestic Movement Requirements for Corn, Zea mays. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 2006d. Directive D-94-17: Plant Protection Phytosanitary Import Requirements for Soybean Seed. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa.

Crop Health Protection Act. R.S.Q., chapter 16. Assented to 12th June, 2008.

Darbyshire, S.J., C.E. Wilson and K. Allison. 2003. The Biology of Invasive Alien Species in Canada. 1. Eriochloa villosa (Thunb.) Kunth. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 83: 987-999.

Industry Canada. 2009. Trade Data Online (TDO). Data from Statistics Canada and the United States Census Bureau (United States Department of Commerce). [cited May 2009].

Mickelson, J.A., Boergoom, C.M. and R.G. Harvey. 2000. Eriochloa villosa and Wild Proso-Miller Management. Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Molenhuis, J. 2008. Grain Corn Conventional Till Enterprise Budget.Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Last updated: May 22, 2007 [cited July 2007].

Néron, R. 2003. Bulletin no. 11 (22 août 2003) - Grandes cultures - L' Ériochloé velue. Réseau d'avertissements phytosanitaires.

Plant Protection Act. Canada Gazette. Part III, Vol. 22, No. 1 (June 19, 1990).

Plant Protection Regulations (SOR/95-212).

Seeds Act, RSC, 1985, c. S-8

Seeds Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1400)

Statistics Canada. 2007. Field and Specialty Crops (Seeded Area). Statistics Canada.
Last updated: June 26, 2007 [cited July 2007].

Weed Seeds Order, 2005 (SOR/2005-220).

Wilson, C.E. 2002. Weed Risk Assessment: Eriochloa villosa (Thunb.) Kunth. PHPD Request No. 2001-42. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa. 35 pages (unpublished).

11.0 Endorsement

Approved by:

Chief Plant Health Officer

Appendix 1

Amendments - NA

Appendix 2

List of Stakeholders Consulted

Federal agencies or official organizations

  • Canada Border Services Agency
  • Canadian Grain Commission

Provincial departments

  • Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) (Quebec Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food)
  • Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) / Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Alimentation et des Affaires rurales de l'Ontario
  • Provincial agriculture departments of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador

Industry

  • Canola Council of Canada
  • Pulse Canada
  • Canadian Wheat Board
  • Canadian Seed Growers' Association and its regional branches
  • Grain Growers of Canada
  • Fédération des producteurs de cultures commerciales du Quebec (FPCCQ)
  • Union des producteurs agricoles du Quebec (UPA)
  • Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA)
  • Ontario Institute of Agrologists
  • Ontario Soybean Growers
  • Ontario Corn Producers
  • Ontario Wheat Producers' Marketing Board
  • Canadian Seed Trade Association

Other organizations

  • Canadian Weed Science Society
  • Ontario Terrestrial Invasive Plants Council
  • Université Laval, Centre de recherche en aménagement et développement
  • Agricultural Institute of Canada

NOTES:

1 This sampling program helps to ensure that seeds sold in, imported into and exported from Canada meet established standards for quality, including varietal purity and germination, and are labelled so that they are properly represented in the marketplace, and in the case of most agricultural crop varieties, are registered prior to sale in Canada.

2 In 2009, Eriochloa villosa is reported in 13 states, in the United States.

3 Site 1a. Since 2002, Eriochloa villosa had been almost entirely eradicated from Site 1a, but spread to Site 1b and 1c.

4 It should be noted that a competitive weed species, such as Eriochloa villosa, has the potential to negatively impact potato production due to competition. Data is not currently available but yield losses could be comparable to those caused by barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli), a similar annual grass species, and in the range of 10 to 30% (Agricuture and Agrifood Canada, personal communication provided during the consultation).

5 Eriochloa villosa was added to the Class 1 Prohibited Noxious Weed list of the Weed Seed Order (Seeds Act) in 2005.

6 The eradication pilot-project of the Site 1a was undertaken in 2002.

7 Given the ongoing control efforts in Quebec, CFIA considers the plant under official control.

8 Millet: Eleusine Gaertn., Panicum L., Echinochloa Beauv., Pennisetum L.C. Rich ex Pers., Setaria Beauv.

9 Determined by the CFIA Seed Science Laboratory of Saskatoon, following Canadian laboratory procedures.

10 Including infested sites surrounding areas.

11 FTE: Full-Time Equivalent.