APHIS Restricts Imports of Potatoes and Other Products from Quebec (Due to Detection of the Golden Nematode)
The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a press release announcing that it is prohibiting the entry of potatoes and other products from the province of Quebec due to the detection of the golden nematode (GN), a serious pest of potatoes that does not pose a threat to human health.
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APHIS May Further Regionalize its Restrictions, Etc.
APHIS states that in the coming weeks, it will work closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to analyze survey data and other information and will further regionalize its restrictions, if appropriate, based on the latest scientific evidence and in accordance with international guidelines.
GN is Potentially More Dangerous to Potato Crops than Other Potato Pests
The APHIS press release states that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of the pest in a 30-acre field on a farm east of Montreal, Quebec. Although the GN does not pose a risk to human health, it is considered to be potentially more dangerous to potato crops than other potato pests. APHIS notes that the GN can significantly affect the yields of potatoes and other host crops.
Other Restricted Articles from Quebec Must be Free From Soil, Etc.
APHIS states that to prevent the spread of the nematode to the U.S., agriculture officials in the U.S. are prohibiting potatoes for seed, consumption and processing from the Province of Quebec and requiring that other restricted articles from Quebec be free from soil.
Mechanical cultivating equipment, harvesting equipment and other conveyances that present a risk of spreading the nematode must also be free of soil. APHIS states that potato products that are already processed in Quebec prior to export will not be affected by these restrictions.
According to APHIS, Canada and the U.S. have imposed domestic and foreign quarantine restrictions to prevent the spread of GN from known infested areas to uninfested areas within their borders. The two countries have also imposed restrictions to prevent introductions from areas known to be infested outside of their borders.
APHIS Contact - Claude Knighten (301) 734-5271
APHIS press release, dated 08/16/06, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2006/08/gn_Canadian.shtml