Suzanne Bond, 301-851-4070
Suzanne.M.Bond@usda.gov WASHINGTON, June 3, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing its plans for combatting the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina in 2021.
“Every year, APHIS evaluates and determines the most effective options to achieve ALB eradication," said Osama El-Lissy, APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine Deputy Administrator. “Complete eradication of this pest from the United States remains our goal, and our strategy this year will advance our efforts to eliminate this pest from where it is infesting trees."
In 2021, the ALB program will focus on inspecting trees in quarantined areas in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina, and removing infested trees at no cost to property owners. The program will not apply insecticide treatments this year. Program officials will monitor for the beetle’s presence inside and around each area, respond to calls for assistance, conduct training sessions for compliance agreement holders, and perform outreach.
People may not move regulated items, such as firewood (all hardwood species), nursery stock, logs, branches, etc., out of the area without a compliance agreement, permit, or certificate. A business or person wanting to move regulated articles out of the quarantine zone may do so in one of two ways, as applicable. A frequent and regular mover of regulated articles may enter into a compliance agreement with the program and self-issue the needed permit or certificate for those articles. This option saves time and effort for both the business or person and the program staff when movement will occur on a regular basis. When movement of regulated articles is infrequent, a business or person may request that program staff inspect the articles and directly issue the needed permit or certificate. This requires at least two working days of advance notice.
To register for free compliance training, please call your local office:
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
