Tag: Asian Gypsy Moth

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.

Asian gypsy moth is a serious pest that can be carried on ships and cargo. AGMs exist mainly in some seaport areas in Far East Russia, Japan, Korea, and Northern China. If introduced to North America, AGM would significantly affect forestry and agriculture, the natural environment, the commerce that relies on those plant resources, and market access.

The US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that it has discovered Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) egg masses on three vessels arriving from Japan during July and August 2018. The two of them were vehicle transport ships entering into Baltimore and the other one was inspected at Houston.