Between May and September 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will be inspecting select rural and residential properties in the Niagara Region and the City of Hamilton as part of the ongoing Plum Pox Monitoring and Management Program (PPMMP).
Specific areas of the Niagara Region and the City of Hamilton have been under federal quarantine since 2000. Regulations are in place to prevent the spread of plum pox virus (PPV) outside of the quarantine area.
The CFIA will be conducting sampling and inspection activities on select orchard and homeowner properties to monitor for PPV and/or to verify compliance with the propagation ban currently in place.
The CFIA will also be inspecting select orchard and homeowner properties to verify compliance with the propagation ban that is currently in place. This means that property owners may see CFIA inspectors on their property.
Plum pox virus is a serious plant disease that threatens Canada's stone fruit industry. Plants that are susceptible to the virus include apricot, nectarine, peach and plum trees, and some ornamental shrubs such as purple leaf sand cherry. It does not affect human or animal health.
Plum pox virus can be spread by aphids and through the movement or propagation of infected plants. The propagation ban currently in place prohibits anyone in the plum pox virus quarantine area from producing trees and plants that are susceptible to the virus. Propagation includes the product of new plants from seed, cutting, grafting or any other method.
For more information, please contact the CFIA at: 905-938-5060.