June 20, 2025
A new Japanese beetle regulated area has been created within the City of Kamloops in response to detections in 2024. Visit Regulated areas for Japanese beetle in British Columbia for more details.
Who is affected
This change impacts anyone moving regulated articles out of the Japanese beetle regulated areas in British Columbia (BC), including members of the Canadian industries for:
- landscaping
- construction
- nursery
- greenhouse
- horticulture
- agriculture, and
- forestry
Regulated articles include plants with soil, soil-related matter and/or growing media attached, year-round.
Current requirements
The movement of plants with soil, soil-related matter and/or growing media to an area that is located outside of a Japanese beetle regulated area is restricted. A movement certificate issued by the CFIA is required year-round.
The movement of plants with soil, soil-related matter and/or growing media attached within the regulated area does not require a domestic movement certificate.
Any person or business who fails to adhere to the movement restrictions may be subject to a fine, prosecution, or both.
- D-96-15: Phytosanitary Requirements to Prevent the Spread of Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica, in Canada and the United States
- Guidance for the movement of plants with soil, soil-related matter and/or growing media leaving a Japanese beetle regulated area located within British Columbia
The Japanese beetle response protects BC's pest-free status
Japanese beetle is an invasive, regulated pest under the Plant Protection Act and Regulations. It feeds on the roots of turf grass and the foliage of more than 300 plant species. This pest could cause serious harm to BC's agricultural sector and ecosystem, and could cause significant damage to food crops, lawns, landscapes, golf courses, gardens and parks.
Japanese beetle was first detected in the False Creek area of Vancouver, BC in 2017. This beetle is established in the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec. The movement of regulated articles from these areas to other parts of Canada where the pest does not occur, including BC, must meet certain requirements to prevent further spread. British Columbia is the only province/territory that holds Japanese beetle Category 1 pest-free status. Establishment of the beetle may result in a loss of this status and require industry to set-up and maintain Japanese beetle certification programs.
Contact us
For more information about the Japanese beetle response in BC, visit Japanese beetle response in British Columbia or contact your local CFIA office.
To obtain a movement certificate to remove plants with soil or soil-related matter attached from a regulated area in British Columbia, or to report sightings of Japanese beetle in BC, please:
- call 604-292-5742, or
- email us at BCPF.Japanese.Beetle@inspection.gc.ca