OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- 11/25/09 --
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will give individuals more time to apply for compensation in cases where their trees have been or will be removed due to emerald ash borer, Asian long-horned beetle or brown spruce longhorn beetle. For those who receive a Notice to Dispose by March 31, 2013, and have trees removed as a result will now have until December 31, 2014 to apply for compensation.
The amendment to the Introduced Forest Pest Compensation Regulations was published in Canada Gazette, Part II today. Prior to the amendment, the regulations allowed only those landowners who received a Notice to Dispose before March 31, 2008, to apply for compensation. This amendment extends the deadline by five years.
The CFIA will remove trees for research purposes and, if required, for the Asian long-horned beetle eradication program. At the present time, removing infested host trees is not considered an effective tool to manage the emerald ash borer or brown spruce longhorn beetle.
The CFIA is Canada's science-based regulator for animal health, plant protection and food safety. The CFIA plays an important role in protecting Canada's plant resource base from pests and diseases. For more information please visit the CFIA's website at www.inspection.gc.ca or contact the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342.
Contacts:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
CFIA Media Relations
613-773-6600
