Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine
Questions and Answers
Why have Virginia and the USDA quarantined the counties of Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Frederick, Loudoun, Prince William, Fauquier, and the independent cities of Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park and Winchester?
The Virginia Department of Agriculture Consumer Services (VDACS) took this action to prevent the artificial spread of the emerald ash borer (EAB) from infested areas into noninfested areas of Virginia. The Federal quarantine mirrors the Virginia quarantine, but regulates interstate movement of regulated articles as opposed to Virginia regulating intrastate movement.
If the EAB was originally found in Fairfax, why were the other counties included in the quarantine?
EAB is an extremely destructive plant pest and is responsible for the death and decline of over 25 million ash trees nationwide. Ash in both forested and urban settings constitute a significant portion of the canopy cover in the United States. Current tools to detect, control, suppress and eradicate this pest are not as robust as the USDA would desire. In order to stay ahead of this hard to detect beetle, the quarantines should help to mitigate the spread of the pest while the science community continues to investigate biological controls, attractants, traps and pesticides.
What is a regulated article?
- The emerald ash borer in any life stage.
- Firewood of all hardwood (non-coniferous) species.
- Ash (Fraxinus spp.) nursery stock.
- Green (non-heat treated) ash lumber.
- Other living, dead, cut, or fallen material of the genus Fraxinus, including logs, stumps, roots, branches, and composted and uncomposted wood chips.
Who does this quarantine affect?
This quarantine affects any industry, business, or individual that deals with or handles hardwood firewood, ash wood or ash nursery stock. This includes, but is not limited to, the general public, commercial firewood dealers, retail firewood sellers, nursery growers and dealers, and the timber industry including sawmills, wood haulers, wood brokers, etc.
How can I continue to conduct my business?
In broad terms, the articles above may be moved within the quarantined areas without restrictions. Any movement from the quarantined areas into non-quarantined areas will require either a certificate or a limited permit, both of which will be issued by VDACS’ personnel, who will enforce the quarantine and its requirements. For more information on specific requirements to move regulated articles, please contact the VDACS’ office in Richmond, VA at 804.786.3515.
Last modified: Wednesday, 21-Dec-2011 15:37:13 EST
