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Contact:
Rhonda Santos
(508) 852-8044
Rhonda.J.Santos@aphis.APHIS.gov
Suzanne Bond
(301) 851-4070
Suzanne.M.Bond@aphis.usda.gov
USDA Reminds Public: Don’t Move Wood Out of Areas Quarantined for Asian Longhorned Beetle
Washington D.C., November 13, 2018— As winter approaches, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is reminding the public not to move wood out of areas quarantined for the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB). It is important that people follow state and federal laws, which restrict the movement of woody material, to keep the tree-killing pest from spreading outside of quarantined areas in Massachusetts, Ohio, and New York.
“We’re making progress in the fight against ALB. We removed quarantines in two areas of Ohio this year alone, but we still must prevent the beetle’s spread to other places,” said Josie Ryan, APHIS’ National Operations Manager for the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program. “As people begin using wood stoves and fireplaces, we are reminding the public to follow the quarantine laws, especially when stocking up on firewood. We cannot eliminate this beetle without the help of residents and business owners.”
State and federal officials monitor the movement of wood within and around regulated areas to enforce the quarantine. They may issue fines to individuals and businesses that do not comply with the regulations. There are three things that people can immediately do to comply:
ALB eradication programs are a cooperative effort between federal, state, and local agencies. To date, APHIS and its partners have successfully eliminated the beetle from Illinois, New Jersey, portions of New York (Manhattan, Staten Island and Islip), portions of Ohio (Stonelick and Monroe townships), and Boston, Massachusetts.
ALB is a serious insect pest for certain hardwood tree species that can cause significant economic and environmental impacts if allowed to establish and spread throughout the United States. For more information about the beetle and program activities, please call the ALB toll free hotline at 1-866-702-9938 or visit www.aphis.usda.gov/pests-diseases/alb.
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