| Emerald ash borer confirmed in Ottawa | | | Ottawa (July 25, 2008) – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in Ottawa. This insect pest was discovered by City staff on City and residential ash trees within the St-Laurent Boulevard and Ogilvie Road area. As required in these circumstances, staff immediately contacted the CFIA, the lead Federal Government agency on invasive alien pests, and the presence of the insect was confirmed by CFIA inspectors.The City of Ottawa is asking residents to help stop the spread of the EAB, which attacks and kills ash trees. This invasive beetle does not spread quickly on its own; it is most commonly spread when people move materials which it has infested, such as firewood, branches, nursery stock, chips or other ash wood. The CFIA is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the extent of the infestation. The agency is on site in the affected area and is taking samples of trees, entering public and private property for inspection purposes and carrying out lab analyses. City staff are working closely with the CFIA in preparing operational plans, participating in field surveys and assisting the CFIA in responding to the situation and informing the public. In the upcoming days and weeks, the CFIA will work closely with the City in addressing this issue. For further information, visit the following resources:
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pestrava/pestravae.shtml,
Canadian Forest Service
http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/index/invasive,
http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/news/590
The Ministry of Natural Resources
http://www.ontario.ca/forests.
For more information:
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