Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829
Jon Turmel, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 241-3545
Sabina Haskell, Agency of Natural Resources, (802) 241-1562

Friday, October 24, 2008

Waterbury, Vt. – The national Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a quarantine on hardwood entering the United States from Canada to prevent entry of certain invasive pests from Canada to the United States. This quarantine requires that all hardwood (non-coniferous) from Canada must be heat treated to 71.1 degrees Centigrade for 75 minutes.

This action was taken to address concerns regarding the movement of firewood from Canada into the U.S. which is a main source of introduction and dissemination of many invasive insects including Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, gypsy moth and Japanese beetle. While some of these species may be present in the United States, currently their distribution is limited. The quarantine has been implemented to further aid in limiting their movement into the United States.

Officials at the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation say without strong precautions, Vermont’s timber industry could be harmed.

“With emerald ash borer found less than 40 miles over the border from Vermont in Quebec, the decision from APHIS is timely,” stated State Forester Steven Sinclair. “Movement of forest products to and from Vermont and Canada is a daily occurrence and vital to our industry but does come with some risks.”

The most common way these invasive species are brought into an area is through the movement of firewood. Therefore, it is important to restrict hardwood coming into the U.S. from potentially infected areas.

As verification that firewood of all hardwood species entering the U.S. has been properly treated in accordance with the Federal Order, a certificate of treatment must accompany any commercial or noncommercial shipment of hardwood.

The agencies of agriculture and natural resources recommend using local sources of wood when you travel, not moving wood more than 50 miles, and burning all firewood brought to a camp site. For more information about invasive species and best practices for handling wood, visit www.vermontagriculture.com.