Invasive Species

Invasive species are plants, animals and micro-organisms in an area where they have never been before. They can adapt, spread quickly and don't have natural predators in the new environment.

These species can invade agricultural and natural areas, causing serious damage to Canada's economy and environment.

Invasive species have become a bigger concern in recent years as worldwide trade and travel have increased the risk of spreading these species. They can either be imported from other countries or spread between different areas within Canada.

Examples of invasive species include

• Insects, such as the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer and LDD moth;
• invasive plants, such as jointed goatgrass and woolly cup grass; and
• plant pathogens, such as plum pox virus and potato cyst nematode.

What the CFIA is doing about invasive species

As Canada's national plant protection organization, the CFIA

• prevents the introduction of invasive species through import regulations;
• regulates the movement of invasive species within Canada;
• monitors invasive species that are not yet found in Canada; and
• determines if an invasive species is now established.

What you can do

• Be informed about invasive species.
• Be aware of how pests are spread, such as moving firewood and plants.
• Report suspected sightings of invasive species to the CFIA.

Additional information

• See An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada (Library and Archives Canada).
• Contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada for information on invasive aquatic species.
• Check the website of your provincial or territorial government, since invasive species may also be regulated by provincial or territorial authorities.