Asian Gypsy Moth

U.S. and Canada Impose Requirements on Inbound Vessels to Prevent Introduction of Gypsy Moth

Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report |  Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have imposed a number of requirements on vessels inbound from specified ports to prevent the introduction of the Asian gypsy moth (AGM).

• The AGM is a serious pest that can be carried on the superstructure of ships and cargo.
• AGM populations are prevalent in some seaport areas in Far East Russia, Japan, Korea and northern China.
• Significant delays in cargo loading or discharging activities, as well as routine clearance, can occur if AGM is detected or if vessels arrive without the required AGM certification.

For vessels that have called on areas regulated for AGM during the specified periods, as outlined in the table below, the following measures are required.

It is the responsibility of the shipping lines to meet all requirements for entry into the U.S. and Canada for freedom from AGM and other pest concerns.

• The vessel must be inspected and obtain pre-departure certification from a recognized certification body. A copy of the certificate, stating that the vessel is free of AGM life stages, must be forwarded to the U.S or Canadian agents. The inspections should be performed as close to vessel departure time from the regulated port as possible.
• The vessel must arrive in North American ports free from AGM. To avoid inspection delays, re-routing and other potential impacts, shipping lines should perform intensive vessel self-inspections to look for, remove (scrape off) and properly dispose of or destroy all egg masses and other life stages of AGM prior to entering U.S. and Canadian ports.
• The vessel must provide two year port of call data, at least 96 hours prior to arrival in
• a North American port, to the Canadian or U.S. agent. The agent is to ensure that this information is provided to U.S. and Canadian officials.