Interception of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Finland. New measures for import of conifer wood
The pine nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) has been identified in two wood chip consignments originating from North America. The first consignment was shipped in April, 1984, from Alabama, USA. The other was shipped in July 1984, from Matane, Quebec, Canada. The nematode infestation was finally confirmed in August. Infested consignments have been destroyed.
The National Board of Agriculture has, in respect of the Plant Protection Act (127/81), decided to prohibit import of Coniferous wood with Customs tariff numbers 40.01, 44.03 and 44.09 from North America (USA and Canada) and from Japan during the three-month period from 28th September to 28th December 1984. The decision does not concern small quantities of Coniferous wood intended for research purposes, which may be imported by permission of the National Board of Agriculture under special conditions decided to be sufficient to prevent the spread of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus into Finland.
During the three-month period, a final decision will be made about permanent measures needed to prevent the spread of pine nematode into Finland.
Sources
National Board of Agriculture
Plant Quarantine Service