In advance of the Asian Gypsy Moth Season the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have announced measures of preventing the spread of AGM from commercial vessels arriving from Asian Gypsy Moth-regulated regulated areas (Far East Russia, Japan, Korea and Northern China).
The USDA and CFIA alerted that there could be a significant delay if a vessel arrives without the required certification, or if Asian Gypsy Moth is detected. Depending on the affected region, Asian Gypsy Moth flight periods start on May 25th (far south Japan) and finish on September 30th (Russian far east, northern China, northern Japan, Korea), with a roughly eight-week activity period for each individual region.
The USDA said that Asian gypsy moth was “a serious pest that can be carried on ships and cargo. If introduced, AGM would have significant negative impacts on North American forestry and agriculture, the natural environment, the commerce that relies on those plant resources, and market access. “Vessels must arrive in North American ports free of AGM and with required pre-departure certification.” https://www.piclub.or.jp/?action=common_download_main&upload_id=10507 https://www.piclub.or.jp/?action=common_download_main&upload_id=10508