Japanese Beetle Alert for Landscape/Horticulture/Turf Industry

To Everyone in the Vancouver area Landscape Horticulture, Arboriculture, Urban Agriculture and Function Horticulture Sectors Including Landscapers, Professional Gardeners, Arborists, Golf Courses, Sportsfields, Sod Farms, Parks, etc.

NEW GREEN WASTE MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS START FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2018

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Regulated from June 15 to October 15

Grass clippings, pruning waste and branches with leaves attached
As much as possible, these materials should be mulched in place or composted within the regulated area.
These articles may only be moved out of the regulated area for disposal or treatment when accompanied by a Movement Certified issues by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) (Requires one week's notice)

Regulated Year Round

Turfgrass, sod, ornamental grasses and other outdoor plants with soil (e.g. annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, bedding plants, along with potted houseplants and patio plants grown outdoors).
These articles may only be moved out of the regulated area for disposal or treatment when accompanied by a Movement Certificate issued by CFIA.
Please apply for Movement Certificate one week prior to use.
Small quantities of green waste can be safely disposed of in client's municipal green bin.

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Email: June 7, 2018 (with amendments) 

Read below for updates on temporary transfer station, treatment schedule and precautions for concerts & festivals

URGENT NOTICE
To Landscapers, Professional Gardeners & Arborists
REGULATORY ACTION IN EFFECT
TO PREVENT THE MOVEMENT OF JAPANESE BEETLE
Vancouver, BC

Important movement restrictions have been ordered and are currently in effect which may impact the way you conduct your landscape business in Metro Vancouver. 

Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) was found by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency during routine monitoring in Vancouver, BC in August 2017.

Japanese Beetle Causes Environmental & Economic Harm 

Japanese Beetle has the potential to cause significant damage to parks, lawns, golf courses, landscapes and BC’s agriculture sectors. During the larval stage, it feeds on the roots of plants and strongly prefers turf. During its adult flying phase from June 15 through October 15, it consumes over 300 types of plants, skeletonizing the leaves and affecting the production and quality of fruits and vegetables, as well as plants such as maples and roses.

In its adult phase, Japanese Beetle is not particularly a good flyer but will hitchhike on vehicles, green waste, in soil and is quite resilient. It may fly up to 8 km if given a good wind. To counter the potential for this pest to move, the public as well as those working within the regulated zone are asked to check their vehicles for beetles during the flight season, and to ensure their trailers and equipment are clear of any pests. 

Government agencies and industry associations are working together to eradicate this pest, including:

BC Ministry of Agriculture (BCAGRI)
Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
City of Vancouver
BC Landscape and Nursery Association 
Western Canada Turfgrass Association
BC Agriculture Council

On April 27, 2018, the CFIA placed an Infested Place Order on the City of Vancouver to regulate an area around False Creek to prevent the spread of Japanese Beetle.

Regulated Area Prevents Japanese Beetle Movement 

The location of the regulated area is provided in the map enclosed with this package. Please refer to CFIA’s Landscaper Guidance Document for full details on how this affects your business. 

Significant points for landscapers working within the regulated area includes:

1. Movement restrictions on soil and plants with soil (i.e. plants with rootballs) is in effect year-round.
2. In addition, from June 15 – October 15, during the flight period of the adults, movement of all plant parts is restricted, including grass clippings and leaves. 
3. During the June 15 – Oct 15 time frame, green waste that has been treated by using a brush-chipper on-site is exempt.
4. Wood, branches and sticks that are free of leaves are exempt year-round.
5. Homeowners’ green waste may be disposed of in their regular green bin.

6. Large quantities of green waste and/or soil, not eligible for the City of Vancouver's temporary transfer station, shall only be moved with a Movement Certificate available from the CFIA at 604-292-5742 or BCPF.Japanese.Beetle@inspection.gc.ca, please give one week advance notice. This waste must be transported safely to be deep-buried at a landfill site approved by the CFIA. A minimum of 24 hours advance notice is required at the landfill site prior to delivery. Deep burial fees of $250/tonne will apply; minimum fee is $50 plus $5 per load. 

For more information go to http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/landfill.aspx. CFIA may accompany the vehicle to the landfill site.

1. UPDATE (June 14, 2018): When removing plants with roots from your site, knock off as much soil as possible and leave as much soil onsite as you are able. Where possible, separate the plant's parts from the root ball (separate the top from the root ball), as soil and roots with soil are disposed of separately from the green parts. The city may set up a bin with root balls, and plants with root balls separately from the soil and green waste respectively, as this will need to go through a special process or deep burial. This issue is currently being worked through.

2. The City of Vancouver is working to have a site ready to take in small amounts of soil (i.e. wheelbarrow load) and process all green waste by June 15, 2018 from commercial landscape work as well as excess amounts from householders.

City of Vancouver’s Temporary Transfer Station Will Open On or About June 15, 2018

Address: West 1st Avenue at Wylie, Vancouver, BC
Hours of Operation: 12 (noon) - 6:00 pm
Fees: $15 for wheelbarrow of soil; $25 for ½ pickup load; $50 for pick up load even with the top of the box; $75 for pick up load that is heaped up over the top of the box. Payment can be processed by debit, Mastercard, or Visa on-site.

Update (June 14, 2018): 

The City of Vancouver has confirmed that the Temporary Transfer Station will be able to charge corporate accounts with the city when applicable. Other payment options include Visa, Mastercard and debit onsite.  Cash will not be accepted.

The site will have traffic control and ample room for trucks and trailers to drive through and turn around. If you have suggestions to assist with making this process more streamlined, please email info@bclna.com.  

What does a 'Restriction of Movement' mean for Landscapers working in Metro Vancouver?

Regulated Area: No Movement of Plants to Outside the Boundaries 

To contain the pest, CFIA is using the centre line of the roadways and the high water mark along the shorelines to define the borders of the regulated area and is bounded as follows:

The Southern boundary is formed by a line running east to west from the intersection of Clark Drive at East 12th Avenue to the intersection of Burrard Street and West 12th Avenue.
The Western boundary is formed by a line running north and then northeast following Burrard Street to West Waterfront Road and extending Northeast from that point to the Burrard Inlet.
The Eastern boundary is a line running north from the intersection of Clark Drive at East 12th Avenue to Powell Street and extending from that point North to the Burrard Inlet.
The Northern boundary is formed by a line running west to east from the northernmost point of the eastern boundary, following the shoreline of the Burrard Inlet, including docks, to the western boundary.

This is the regulatory document that outlines the actions required within this area:
D-96-15: Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica, in Canada and the United States  

Restriction of Movement 

Strict movement restrictions for below-ground green waste are in place year-round in the regulated area. Throughout the year, soil and plants with soil (sod or plants with root balls) may not be moved out of the regulated area.   Read More...  

After June 15, 2018 

Pruning waste and branches with leaves attached MUST BE treated on-site, left in your client’s Green Waste bin, or taken to the temporary transfer station within the restricted area. These strict regulations are in place every year from June 15 to October 15 until further notice.

The City of Vancouver is requesting that landscapers and homeowners do not collect grass clippings, to minimize the amount of green waste at the transfer station. 

Penalties for Non Compliance 

If it’s observed that soil and/or green waste was taken out of the regulated area without properly mulching onsite within the regulated area or without obtaining a CFIA movement certificate, then CFIA can issue an Administrative Monetary Penalty which is a Notice of Violation with a warning or penalty. Penalties can range from $500 to $1300 and $1300 to $10,000. 

Movement Certificates 

Sod, soil, plants w/soil or green waste moving independently of the city green bin program or temporary transfer station may be moved out of the regulated area for disposal or treatment with a movement certificate issued from CFIA. To obtain the Movement Certificate; please contact CFIA one week in advance at www.inspection.gc.ca/jb or 604-292-5742.

NOTE: CFIA requires one week in advance notice prior to providing Movement Certificates. 

Treatment 

The City of Vancouver was served with a Notice to Treat from the Ministry of Agriculture with the objective to eradicate the Japanese beetle. Treatment for the pest was been determined by the BC Plant Protection Advisory Committee based on a scientific approach. The lavicide, Acelepryn, was selected to treat areas in Vancouver where the beetle was located during 2017 surveys. The treatment zones include a 200 meter buffer where public and private areas will be treated.

UPDATE (June 14, 2018): Application of Acelepryn by deep drench is currently taking place in the city with an anticipated completion date of June 25th. Treatment of Private lands is progressing upon consent of the landowner/resident. Acelepryn is less toxic than table salt, and also controls European Chafer.

If you or your clients are located within the treatment area as shown on the map, please provide the applicable address to BCLNA at info@bclna.com to receive approval and scheduling for treatment at no cost on the site. 

View Treatment Schedule...  

 

NEW (June 14, 2018): Festivals, Concerts and Park Visitors 

A number of festivals and concerts are scheduled at city parks within the regulated area. This poses a serious risk to the spread of the Japanese beetle if the pest is transported with an unsuspecting concert goer. To help prevent a hitchhiking beetle from spreading to other parts of the province, the CFIA and the City of Vancouver will be displaying signage throughout the park as well as making announcements to take precautions prior to packing up and leaving. 

Stay informed

Read Brian Minter's article in the Vancouver Sun 'Japanese beetle invasion a serious threat to Vancouver'
Watch the video from BCLNA’s Technical briefing session for landscapers held May 24, 2018 (1hr:45min) | includes explanation of 'Regulatory' Designation from CFIA and Treatment Application from the BC Ministry of Agriculture.
Read the Landscaper Guidelines
Visit the BCLNA website
Sign up to recieve up-to-date information on movement restrictions and changes to the regulated area
Report any Japanese beetle sightings (high-resolution photos or a specimen are helpful) to CFIA at BCPF.Japanese.Beetle@inspection.gc.ca
If you have any sites in the treatment area, email info@bclna.com immediately for information.

Click here for the Japanese beetle Fact Sheet.  

Stay Informed. Sign Up to Receive Email Updates Regarding the Japanese Beetle

Contacts

Regulated Area & Movement Restrictions: Contact CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 or inspection.gc.ca/jb 
Treatment Plan for Public Lands: Contact City of Vancouver or Vancouver Parks Board at http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/treating-city-property.aspx or 311 for public within Vancouver
Movement Permits: Contact CFIA at 604-292-5742 or BCPF.Japanese.Beetle@inspection.gc.ca
Disposal Within the Regulated Area: Contact City of Vancouver or Vancouver Parks Board at vancouver.ca webpage (under construction) or 311 for public within Vancouver
Treatment with Acelepryn: Contact BCLNA at info@bclna.com or 604-575-3500
Surveillance: Contact: CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 or inspection.gc.ca/jb
Professional landscaper technical information: Contact: BCLNA at info@bclna.com; 604-575-3500 or bclna.com/JapaneseBeetle
How to Report a Pest (high-resolution photos or a specimen are helpful): Contact: CFIA at BCPF.Japanese.Beetle@inspection.gc.ca or www.inspection.gc.ca/jb
General Coordination and Outreach: Contact: ISCBC at 1-888-933-3722 or bcinvasives.ca/japanesebeetle

This project was funded in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Government of British Columbia through programs delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C.