Tag: Asian Gypsy Moth

Ships trading in Far East ports are reminded that they would need their ships to be inspected and certified free of Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) before their departure from certain ports known to be posing high risk.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the US Department of Agriculture have recently issued their joint reminder about pre-certification requirements for ships that have been in areas regulated for Asian gypsy moth (AGM) during specified risk periods.

Starting from 12 January 2021, vessels that have visited certain ports in Asia Pacific between May-September in the previous 24 months must document that they have been inspected and “certified free of Asian Gypsy Moth” prior to arriving in Argentina.

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Port of New Orleans has recently published a marine circular to advise the maritime industry of the importance of foreign AGM free certification inspections.

The US Department of Agriculture confirmed that nine egg masses that Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists discovered on a merchant ship June 2 was a first reported discovery in Maryland.

The Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) season typically starts from late May to September. During this period, ships calling at certain Far East ports would undergo inspections to certify free of AGM prior to their departure.

West P&I Club informs that the Argentinian National Service for Health and Agrifood Quality (SENASA) is officializing the approval and implementation of a resolution, to set control measures following the Asian Gypsy Moth. 

In response to reports of high population levels of Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) in some countries regulated for AGM, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Canadian food Inspection Agency (CFIA) jointly remind ship operators of requirements for entering US and Canada safely.

As the West of England reports, the Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) is a highly destructive forest pest that feeds on both deciduous and coniferous trees. The voracious appetite of AGM larvae (caterpillars) coupled with the ability of the female moth to travel significant distances, as much as 20 nautical miles, can cause widespread defoliation leaving trees weakened and susceptible to disease and other pests.

The Gard P&I Club issued a summary of available information from each of the countries known to regulate and inspect arriving vessels for Asian Gypsy Moth (AGS), highlighting each country’s definition of risk areas and specified risk periods, as well as their entry requirements and mandatory inspection periods.