APHIS TO AMEND GYPSY MOTH RULES FOR CERTAIN CANADIAN IMPORTS

APHIS TO AMEND GYPSY MOTH RULES FOR CERTAIN CANADIAN IMPORTS    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed to amend its rules concerning certain imports from British Columbia, Canada, that have in past carried gypsy moths.
   The gypsy moth is a destructive pest of forests and shade trees, and can defoliate millions of acres in a season.
   “Surveys have indicated that those areas (in British Columbia) that had been considered gypsy moth infested areas have been free of gypsy moth for the past two years, allowing the importation of regulated articles from this area,” APHIS said.
   U.S. imports of live trees, plants and rough wood from British Columbia exceed $200 million annually. Regulated articles include trees and shrubs with or without roots, excluding greenhouse-grown items, logs an pulpwood with bark attached, outdoor household articles, mobile homes and related equipment.
   “Regulated articles originating in a Canadian infested area that are to be moved into or through U.S. non-infested areas must be accompanied by an officially endorsed Canadian phytosanitary certificate, including a declaration confirming the regulated articles have been treated for gypsy moth,” APHIS said.