1. Plant Pest Pathways into Canada
North American Invasive Species Forum
May 9, 2017
Wendy Asbil and Kristina Pauk
Invasive Alien Species and Domestic Plant Health Programs Section
Plant Health and Biosecurity Directorate, CFIA
Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to talk about some of the ways the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is taking action on invasive alien species pathways into Canada.

2. Outline Pathways into Canada Mitigating plant health risk pathways
Examples of programs related to specific pathways
Asian gypsy moth
Sea Container Initiative
In-transit shipments
E-commerce
Potentially Injurious Organisms
Invasive Plants Program
Here is a quick overview of the topics in the presentation today:
a brief summary of CFIA’s plant protection mandate
Pathways into Canada
Mitigating plant health risk pathways
Examples of programs related to specific pathways
And the importance of Working together

3. Trade – Transport - Travel
Pathways into Canada
It is complex world - we are faced with many trade routes, many commodities, many transportation modes, many pests, many players and many combinations of all these factors…
Trade – Transport - Travel

4. Focus on Pathways
Managing pathways has the potential to address many pests and risks at the same time
Traditional pathways are commodity-based (e.g. plants for planting, soil, forest products, wood packaging, grain and fresh produce)
Pathways that also pose pest risks include
Conveyances (e.g. marine vessels)
Sea containers
Commodities that are not plants/plant products (e.g. steel slabs, tiles, car parts)
Transiting shipments
Live organisms (e.g. bait, pet food, exhibition)
Invasive plants (e.g. birdfeed, biofuels, ornamentals)
E-commerce
We are all familiar with commodity-based pathways e.g. firewood, plants for planting, grain and there are many regulations in place to mitigate plant pest risks from these traditional pathways.
However we are noting pests on different pathways such as on the conveyance, inside or outside shipping containers, in the plastic wrap used strap packages/boxes together, and non-agricultural products like ceramic tiles, steel stabs, car parts and bolts.
Everyone has a role to play in managing these more horizontal pathways. Mitigation may be possible at several points along the supply chain, the earlier the better.
By focusing on pathways we also have the opportunity to address many pests and different types of risk at the same time.

5. Mitigating Plant Health Risk Pathways to North America
Risk mitigation along the full supply chain continuum
at origin
enroute
at first point of arrival in Canada
moving within Canada
at destination
Everyone has a role to play - governments, producers, shippers, carriers, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, etc.
Risk mitigation along the full supply chain continuum (aka “Plant Health HACCP”)
Mitigation may be possible at various points along the supply chain, with the most effective being at origin.
Need to
Better understand challenges and opportunities for risk mitigation
Minimize risk while maintaining trade flow, where feasible

6. Mitigating Plant Health Risk Pathways
to North America
Mitigation measures such as
policies and programs
outreach and awareness (e.g. compliance promotion)
international standard setting
compliance verification
systems approaches and treatments
early detection and response
Exploring Tools and Technologies
detector dogs and drones for surveys and inspections (e.g. invasive plants, Asian gypsy moth)
new treatments (e.g. cargo, in-field)
data systems (facilitate information collection, sharing and reporting)
remote sensing (identification and diagnostics)
There are many kinds of mitigation measures that can be used sometimes in combination with others, delivers the best results. Some of these might include…
Design, development, implementation and review of policies and programs
Outreach and awareness (e.g. compliance promotion)
International standard setting
Compliance verification
Systems approaches and treatments
Early detection and response
There may be new or existing technologies and tools that can be adapted for our needs such as…
Updating existing information sources (e.g. Automated Import Reference System)
Detector dogs and drones for surveys and inspections (e.g. invasive plants, Asian gypsy moth)
Review of treatments (e.g. cargo, in-field)
Data systems (facilitate information collection, sharing and reporting)
Remote sensing (identification and diagnostics)

7. Asian Gypsy Moth Program
Asian gypsy moth (AGM) is a regulated quarantine pest
pest of agriculture and forestry
marine vessel traffic = highest risk pathway for AGM
keep risk at origin = North American program objective
Vessel pre-departure certification program established (1992) following eradication programs in Canada and United States
High Risk Pest, High Risk Pathway
based on pest risk analysis
AGM is a quarantine pest for Canada
potential to negatively affect Canada’s plant resource base, those dependent on the plant resource base and trade
Vessel certification program established
marine vessel traffic = one of the highest risk pathways for AGM
keep risk at origin = North American program objective
vessels inspected and certified free from AGM in regulated areas (Korea, Japan, China, Russia)
Marine vessels and the cargo on board that have come from ports infested with AGM can become contaminated with AGM egg masses that survive the voyage to Canada.
AGM is not established in North America but could have potential negative impacts on forest, agriculture and environmental sectors.

8. Asian Gypsy Moth Program
vessels inspected and certified free from AGM in regulated areas (Korea, Japan, China, Russia)
CFIA monitors and inspects to verify compliance
national surveillance trapping for AGM (e.g. Gypsy moth surveillance is a joint effort between the CFIA and the provincial government of British Columbia)
Regular engagement with regulated and regulating countries
communication and outreach (e.g.trading partners and the marine transportation industry).
vessels inspected and certified free from AGM in regulated areas (Korea, Japan, China, Russia)
CFIA monitors and inspects to verify compliance
national surveillance trapping for AGM (e.g. Gypsy moth surveillance is a joint effort between the CFIA and the provincial government of British Columbia)
regular engagement with regulated and regulating countries
communication and outreach (e.g.trading partners and the marine transportation industry).

9. Canadian Inspection Summary Asian Gypsy Moth 2012-2016
2013
2014
2015
2016
Regulated vessels visits
1623
1581
1558
1524
1615
% of vessels arriving certified
87%
94%
96%
97%
% CFIA-inspected vessels free of AGM
95%
92%
99%

10. Sea Containers over 35 million TEUs in global trade in 2016
move between many countries and carry many different commodities
risk of contaminants of phytosanitary concern on or in containers
Examples of pests or regulated articles found include: soil, plant debris, egg masses, khapra beetle, leafhoppers, snails, weed seeds
Origin
Container contents
Where containers travel to
Dwell time
Where phytosanitary threat is located (outside, inside)
Mobility of threat
Seasonality (e.g. external temperature, dormancy, flight patterns)
Import/Export compliance history
Storage (e.g. potential to co-mingle with other contaminated commodities)
Packaging (e.g. none, plastic, wood, paper)
Port of entry/destination/route (e.g. susceptibility, growing range, host distribution)
Transportation conditions (e.g. refrigeration, modified atmosphere)
Compliance history

11. Sea Containers Canada-United States government-industry initiative to
further assess risk associated with sea containers and determine how to mitigate risk
determine how to measure risk reduction
conduct outreach to raise awareness about the risks with stakeholders
use existing or developing industry container cleanliness standards and guidelines (e.g. Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (2014), proposed Joint Industry Guidelines for Cleaning of Containers and individual protocols for various companies)
collaborate with trading partners and stakeholders to minimize pest movement by sea containers.
International Maritime Organisation/International Labour Organisation/United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Origin
Container contents
Where containers travel to
Dwell time
Where phytosanitary threat is located (outside, inside)
Mobility of threat
Seasonality (e.g. external temperature, dormancy, flight patterns)
Import/Export compliance history
Storage (e.g. potential to co-mingle with other contaminated commodities)
Packaging (e.g. none, plastic, wood, paper)
Port of entry/destination/route (e.g. susceptibility, growing range, host distribution)
Transportation conditions (e.g. refrigeration, modified atmosphere)
Compliance history

12. In-transit Shipments
in-transit is the movement from a foreign country, through Canada, to a foreign country
Canada is exposed to the risk of pest introduction from shipments moving in-transit
most non-compliances due to invasive alien species (e.g. snails, weed seeds and live insects) found on articles not regulated by the CFIA (e.g. car parts, tiles, steel slabs)
In-transit shipments are known to be a potential pathway of introduction for plant pests and Canada is exposed to that risk as there is no safeguarding in place for these shipments while in Canada.
Limited phytosanitary safeguards are in place on entry means there is no transaction is recorded at the NISC, no import documentation. While there are some customs control by CBSA such as in-transit shipments must be transported by a bonded carrier, such controls are insufficient to mitigate phytosanitary risks.
Tracking in-transit shipments is difficult as there is no Canadian importer or documentation, or cross-referencing to ensure it actually exited the country
The volume and diversity of in-transit goods moving on a daily basis is very high (e.g. over 500,000 containers cross between Canada and the U.S. at Ft. Frances annually)
Refused in-transit shipments are perhaps being returned through Canada without CFIA controls in place with pests of concern to Canada
Many of the refusal are due to plant pests (e.g. wood-boring insects, weed seeds, snails) contaminating non-agricultural commodities (e.g. car parts, ceramic tiles, electronics)
Trans-loading of cargo from in-transit shipments can occur in Canada as the transit country where the container is opened and the contents removed and place into a different container or conveyance.
Party in care and control of the goods while in Canada (usually the carrier) are sometimes unaware of the risk they create and their role/responsibilities

13. In-transit Shipments
interim in-transit protocol implemented for U.S. goods transiting Canada back to the U.S. or to a foreign country and for in-transit shipments that were refused entry to the U.S. and are moving through Canada for removal
developing a comprehensive in-transit program for plant health that will include all in-transit movements and modes of transportation.
on-going work with the stakeholders and trading partners to raise awareness and promote compliance

14. E-Commerce
internet and mail order catalogue sales of regulated pests and potential invasive alien species including plants, molluscs and insects
education and awareness campaign for the import and distribution of invasive species through the e-commerce pathway is key.
inform Canadian importers and exporters of invasive pests, import regulations and requirements in Canada and other countries.
work internationally (e.g. United States, Australia, New Zealand)

15. Potentially Injurious Organisms (PIO)
injurious or potentially injurious, whether directly or indirectly, to plants or plant products
E.g. insects, mites, earthworms, snails, slugs, bacteria, fungi, viruses, biological control agents
Intentionally imported and handled in Canada for a variety of purposes, including: bait, pet food, research, biological control, exhibition, education, etc.

16. Potentially Injurious Organisms (PIO)
Canadian requirements for importing, transferring and handling PIO in Canada have recently been updated
ensure facilities have and maintain the appropriate containment levels as a condition of import or domestic movement
work with partners and stakeholders to promote compliance

17. Invasive Plants Program
invasive plants pathways (intentional and unintentional)
new crops e.g. forage kochia
biofuels e.g. Arundo donax
birdfeed, grain, seed
ornamentals
plants used for medicinal purposes
Currently 20 invasive plant species are regulated as pests under the Plant Protection Act
Import and domestic movement is prohibited
The CFIA’s requirements to prevent the introduction of plants regulated as pests are in the Automated Import Reference System and in directive D

18. Invasive Plants Program
identify and assess risk of new plants to Canada as new information becomes available.
on-going work with international and domestic partners on preventing the entry and spread of invasive plants
education and outreach
Identify new threats through:
Science scanning
Web inquiries
Partners
Import permit applications (e.g. new horticultural or medicinal plants, new biofuel crops, plants for research)
Interceptions
40 assessments done in 2016
Impacts: About 65% primarily agricultural, 35% environmental
Pathways: About 75% seed/grain contaminants, 25% ornamentals

19. Kudzu Eradication in Canada
Highly invasive aggressive vine native to Asia that can grow up to 30 cm per day, smothering native species.
Only one known site in Canada, detected in 2009.
Site located on a steeply sloped 0.5 hectare environmentally sensitive area in Southwestern Ontario.
The CFIA and the Province of Ontario have partnered together to respond to this pest plant incursion.
A kudzu eradication plan was initiated in September 2015 under a formal 10 year agreement.
Multi-phased plan includes the removal of the kudzu and revegetation of the site in an effort to minimize erosion to the slope.
As many of you might know, kudzu is a highly invasive vine from Asia that can grow up to 30 cm per day (in ideal conditions). It can smother native plants and shrubs.
It is also considered a host and reservoir for soybean rust, Phytophthora species (water molds) and the kudzu bug which could feed on soybeans.
It is recognized as a significant pest by the US, Mexico, Australia and the EU.
It is also listed on the Ontario and BC provincial weed control act and proposed for listing in MB.

20. Kudzu Eradication Plan
July 2016: Zone 3A treated and crowns flagged
September 2016:
Zone 3A
First phase of the plan has been completed with good control of the kudzu and relatively successful plantings, despite drought in 2016
Here are some photos that show progress on the site. (top left – after spraying a couple days prior, bottom left – blue flags mark where crowns are) - crowns and new plantings flagged \
Continue implementation of the 10 year eradication plan with annual monitoring and review of performance indicators.
Year 3 of the project will commence in spring 2017.
Continue with annual national survey of invasive plants (including kudzu) around importing facilities.
As you can see the site is environmentally sensitive based on the extreme slope and proximity to water.
Sumac pic: June 2016, Field photo: July 2016
Lontrel 360 herbicide – broad leaf systemic herbicide absorbed by the roots or foliage and translocates throughout the plant
Crown injections and spraying
Plantings at
top of zone 1A

21. Shared risk and shared responsibility
Working Together
better understand challenges and opportunities for risk identification and mitigation
minimize risk while maintaining trade flow, where feasible
Shared risk and shared responsibility

22. Thank You. Comments,Questions, Discussion?
For more information, please contact:
and sign up for the Invasive Species Listserv
visit CFIA’s website at: