Emerald ash borer confirmed in Oromocto, New Brunswick

OTTAWA, July 24, 2019 /CNW/ - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of emerald ash borer in Oromocto, New Brunswick. This is the second detection of emerald ash borer in the province, the first being in Edmundston in 2018.  Oromocto is approximately 300 km south of Edmundston in the southwestern portion of the province, outside of the currently regulated areas for emerald ash borer in Canada.

CFIA and its partners are conducting additional surveys to determine whether the pest has become established in the area, and if so, the extent of the spread. 

Effective immediately, the movement of all ash material--such as logs, branches, and woodchips, and all species of firewood from the affected site--is restricted. The property owners in the affected area have been notified of these restrictions.

Although the emerald ash borer poses no threat to human health, it is highly destructive to ash trees. It has already killed millions of ash trees in Canada and the United States, and poses a major economic and environmental threat to urban and forested areas of North America.

CFIA continues to work with federal, provincial, municipal and First Nations partners and organizations to slow the spread of this pest.

Quick facts

• Moving untreated firewood is a common way for invasive insects and diseases to spread.
• The emerald ash borer is native to China and eastern Asia. Its presence in Canada was first confirmed in 2002.
• CFIA regulates this pest to protect Canada's forests, municipal trees and nurseries.

Associated links

• Areas regulated for the emerald ash borer 
• Additional information on the emerald ash borer
• Don't move firewood

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SOURCE Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)