Notice to Industry – Ministerial Order to prevent the spread of box tree moth from the province of Ontario

July 12, 2023 – Ottawa – Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has established the province of Ontario as a regulated area for Cydalima perspectalis, box tree moth (BTM), a serious pest of Buxus spp. (boxwood). The decision for managing the risk posed by BTM in Canada was communicated with the the publication of RMD-22-02: Pest risk management decision for the regulation of Cydalima perspectalis in Canada on November 23, 2022. Directive D-22-04: Box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) – domestic and import phytosanitary requirements was published on May 23, 2023, requiring boxwood producers (e.g. greenhouses, nurseries) to implement a CFIA-accepted systems approach for BTM prior to shipping boxwood plants for planting outside of the regulated area.  Additionally, a CFIA-issued domestic movement certificate is required per Section 45 of the Plant Protection Regulations.

On July 11 2023, to further support the implementation of Directive D-22-04, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada signed a Ministerial Order pursuant to Section 15 of the Plant Protection Act declaring the Province of Ontario as infested with BTM.  Find more information on BTM and the requirements for movement of boxwood.