APHIS Revises Reqs for Firewood, Spruce Logs from Canada
Effective May 22, 2011, the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service issued a Federal Order revising the import requirements for commercial and noncommercial shipments of imported hardwood and softwood firewood from Canada and spruce logs from the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, to require that these shipments be heat-treated to ensure that certain plant pests are not introduced into the U.S.
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(This Federal Order (DA-2011-28) updates and replaces APHIS' previous Order (DA-2008-69) issued in 2008 for commercial and noncommercial hardwood firewood. APHIS has found that, although movements of commercial firewood can be certified, the same is not practical or possible for firewood that is defined as noncommercial, such as for personal use for camping. There have also been instances where APHIS was unable to definitively determine the origin of the firewood or whether the firewood transited areas that were known regulated areas for the listed pests. APHIS notes that firewood transiting through areas known to be regulated for pests can become infested if not properly safeguarded and segregated during movement.)
Order Issued to Prevent Entry of Spruce Longhorned Beetle, Gypsy Moth, Etc.
APHIS states that the purpose of its Federal Order is to prevent the entry into the U.S. from Canada and Nova Scotia of certain pests of firewood, such as Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), pine shoot beetle (Tomicus piniperda), European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographis), and brown spruce longhorn beetle (Tetropium fuscum) that are either not present in the U.S., or they are present, yet being officially controlled.
APHIS also Lowers Treatment Requirements of Hard Firewood to 60° Centigrade
In its previous Federal Order, APHIS required that all commercial and noncommercial hardwood firewood (non-coniferous) species imported into the U.S. from Canada be treated at 71.1° centigrade (minimal core temperature) for 75 minutes. Since the time the previous order was issued, APHIS has determined that lowering the treatment requirements to 60° centigrade (minimal core temperature) for 60 minutes will sufficiently mitigate risks to the U.S. associated with the importation of hardwood.
APHIS previously did not have restrictions in place for softwood (coniferous) firewood from Canada or spruce logs from Nova Scotia.
All Firewood Shipments from Canada Must be Heat Treated, Certificate Required
According to this Order, all hardwood firewood being imported into the U.S. from Canada must be heat treated at 60° centigrade (minimal core temperature) for 60 minutes. All softwood firewood being imported into the U.S. from Canada must be heat treated at 56º centigrade (minimal core temperature) for 30 minutes.
As verification that Canadian firewood entering the U.S. has been properly treated in accordance with 7 CFR 319.40-7(c) (available here) and this Federal Order, APHIS will require that each commercial shipment be accompanied by a treatment certificate. For noncommercial firewood, each shipment must be accompanied by a treatment certificate or an attached commercial treatment label indicating the firewood was previously heat treated.
Spruce Logs from Nova Scotia Must be Heat Treated, Certificate & Label Required
The Order also states that all spruce logs entering the U.S. from Nova Scotia must be heat treated at 56º centigrade (minimal core temperature) for 30 minutes and accompanied by a treatment certificate, except when consigned to an approved facility that operates under a compliance agreement in accordance with 7CFR 319.40-8 (available here).
In addition, spruce logs from Nova Scotia will require an import permit in accordance with 7CFR 319.40-4 (available here).
Certification, but No Treatment, Required for Logs from Other Provinces
The Order notes that spruce logs entering the U.S. from Canadian Provinces or Territories other than Nova Scotia do not require treatment for the brown spruce longhorn beetle; however, they must be accompanied by a certificate that specifies where the logs originated and comply with all other regulations specific to wood imports.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 11/19/08 news, 08111920, for BP summary of APHIS requiring treatment for shipments of hardwood firewood from Canada.
See ITT's Online Archives or 05/12/11 news, 11051239, for BP summary of APHIS revising requirements for certain plant imports from the EU.
See ITT's Online Archives or 10/01/10 news, 10100125, for BP summary of the Agricultural Marketing Service proposing a tax on imports of softwood lumber manufacturers and importers.)
APHIS Contact -- John Jones (301) 734-8860
Federal Order and memo are available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.