The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have released the specified risk periods for 2024, NorthStandard highlights.
Due to population outbreaks, North American ports periodically experience a high number of vessels arriving with Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (FSMC) egg masses. Data from previous years indicate that populations could potentially reach outbreak levels in 2024.
Vessels must arrive in North American ports free of FSMC and should have obtained pre-departure certification. When vessels arrive without FSMC certification, or when FSMC is detected, significant delays in cargo loading or discharging activities as well as in routine clearance can occur.

Specified risk period is the period when there is a risk of FSMC flight and egg mass deposition.
For vessels that have called at the areas regulated for FSMC during the specified risk periods, as outlined in the above table, the following measures are required:
- Vessels should be inspected and certificated free of FSMC by a recognized certification body. A copy of the certificate, stating that the vessel is free of FSMC life stages, should be forwarded to the vessel’s U.S or Canadian agents. A certificate is valid until the ship calls on another port in a regulated area during the specific risk period.
- Vessels must arrive in North American ports free from FSMC. To avoid facing re-routing, being ordered out of port for cleaning and other potential impacts associated with mitigating the risk of entry of FSMC to North America, shipping lines should perform intensive vessel self-inspections to look for, remove (scrape off) and properly dispose of or destroy all egg masses and other life stages of FSMC prior to entering U.S. and Canadian ports.
- Vessels must provide two-year port of call data, at least 96 hours prior to arrival in a North American port, to the vessel’s Canadian or U.S. agent. The agent is to ensure that this information is provided to U.S. or Canadian officials.