APHIS Adds 24 Counties in Iowa to the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) Regulated Area
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service sent this bulletin at 01/15/2014 10:25 AM EST
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FOR INFORMATION AND ACTION
DA-2014-01
January 10, 2014
Subject: APHIS Adds 24 Counties in Iowa to the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) Regulated Area
To: State and Territory Agricultural Regulatory Officials
Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is adding the following Iowa counties to the list of regulated areas for the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis):
- Buchanan,
- Cedar,
- Clayton,
- Clinton,
- Davis,
- Delaware,
- Des Moines,
- Dubuque,
- Fayette,
- Henry,
- Jackson,
- Jefferson,
- Johnson,
- Jones,
- Keokuk,
- Lee,
- Linn,
- Louisa,
- Muscatine,
- Scott,
- Van Buren,
- Wapello,
- Washington, and
- Winneshiek.
APHIS is taking this action to respond to the confirmation of emerald ash borer (EAB) in three additional counties in Iowa and known patterns of movement of regulated articles in Iowa.
The attached Federal Order outlines specific conditions for the interstate movement of EAB-regulated articles from the regulated counties in Iowa to prevent the spread of EAB to other states. Specifically, the interstate movement of EAB-host wood and wood products from quarantined counties in Iowa is regulated, including firewood of all hardwood species, nursery stock, green lumber, waste, compost, and chips of ash species.
EAB is an invasive wood boring beetle that is native to China and other areas of East Asia. The beetle is present in some portions of the United States, and because of its continuing spread, APHIS has established regulated areas that are designated in the Code of Federal Regulations at 7 CFR 301.53-3 and the Federal Orders located at:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/emerald_ash_b/quarantine.shtml
The interstate movement of firewood from quarantine areas is an especially high-risk pathway for the spread of EAB. Therefore, APHIS works with state cooperators and foresters to prevent the human assisted movement of EAB, develop biological and other controls for EAB, and raise public awareness about this pest and the potential threats associated with the long-distance movement of firewood.
For more information about the EAB program and federal EAB regulations, you may call EAB National Policy Manager Paul Chaloux at 301-851-2064.
/s/
Osama El-Lissy
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine
Attachment: Federal Order