Quarantine order placed on southern Ontario’s most heavily forested area

OTTAWA — (Marketwire – Feb. 18, 2008) — The Ministry of
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has taken action to limit the
spread of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) in Norfolk County, the most heavily forested area in southern Ontario.

The movement of potentially infested
material is now strictly controlled in Norfolk County under a
Ministerial Order. The pest is primarily spread to new areas through
the movement of infested firewood, ash tree and other materials.

EAB poses an environmental and economic threat in North America. As
a result, Canada and the U.S. are working together to combat its spread.

Officials have long feared the arrival of emerald ash borer in Norfolk County due to its dense forest cover.

The public can play an important role in limiting the spread of
this invasive beetle by not removing any firewood or ash tree materials
from EAB-infested areas such as those in Norfolk County.

The County of Norfolk Emerald Ash Borer Infested Places Declaration
and Order (2008) restricts the movement of any regulated materials from
Norfolk County including nursery stock, trees, logs, wood, rough lumber
including pallets and other wood packaging materials, bark, wood chips
or bark chips from ash trees and firewood of all tree species which
have not been treated to eliminate the emerald ash borer. This order
extends to vehicles that were used to carry any of these items.