Emerald Ash Borer presence confirmed
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer in Drummondville as well as in Saintgermain-de-grantham, Saint-cyrille-dewendover, and Saint-eugène, in the Centre-du-québec region. These findings occurred outside of the regulated area, which includes southwest Quebec, from Pontiac to Acton, and all of southern Ontario.
Effective immediately, the movement of all ash material such as logs, branches, and woodchips, and all species of firewood from the affected sites, are restricted. Property owners in the affected areas have been notified of these restrictions and the regulated area will be expanded by the end of 2017, after the CFIA completes its survey work.
Although the Emerald Ash Borer poses no threat to human health, it is highly destructive to ash trees and has already killed millions of ash trees in Ontario, Quebec, and the United States. It also poses a major economic and environmental threat to both urban and forested areas of North America. CFIA is continuing to work with federal, provincial, and municipal governments to slow the spread of this pest.
Quick facts • The Emerald Ash Borer is native to China and eastern Asia. Its presence in Canada was first confirmed in 2002.
• The Emerald Ash Borer is present only in certain areas of Ontario and Quebec and is regulated by the CFIA to protect Canada’s forests and nurseries.
• Moving untreated firewood is a common way for invasive insects and diseases to spread.