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Attention Maine Wood Exporters ? The Maine Forest Service is sending out this courtesy notice on behalf of USDA APHIS to alert Maine wood exporters of potential and upcoming regulatory changes for Canada and Japan.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is preparing for the detection and establishment of spotted lanternfly (SLF) in Canada and the potential for SLF to become a regulated pest. The CFIA is currently seeking comment on their draft spotted lanternfly risk management document: RMD ? 22-03: Pest Risk Management Document: Risk management proposal for spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula (White)).
Proposed options for the import of logs with bark on from the US are presented below:
Option 1 (Status quo): No implementation of import requirements for logs with bark from areas infested with SLF.
Option 2: Prohibit the importation of all logs with bark from areas infested with SLF.
Option 3: Allow for the importation of logs with bark from areas infested with SLF with a phytosanitary certificate attesting to freedom from SLF based on based on visual inspection or treatment or participation by a Canadian importer in a CFIA approved SLF risk mitigation program during the period of low risk prior to SLF egg hatch (January to April).
Option 4 (Recommended): Allow for the importation of logs with bark from areas infested with SLF with a phytosanitary certificate attesting to freedom from SLF based on visual inspection or treatment or participation in a CFIA-approved SLF risk mitigation program throughout the entire year.?
View the complete draft risk management document here.
Comments are required by January 18, 2023.
Please send all comments to:
Fan Wang-Cahill, Ph. D
Trade Director & Phytosanitary Issues Management for Canada, Costa Rica, and Panama
USDA-APHIS-PPQ
4700 River Road, Unit 140
Riverdale, MD 20737
Phone: 301-851-3077
Email Comments to Fan: [email protected]
Beginning August 2023, Japan?s national plant protection organization (MAFF) will require a phytosanitary certificate obtained from USDA APHIS for certain U.S. commodities, including wood products. Export of logs, lumber (including green, heat treated, and kiln dried), and other wood products will be impacted by this change.
Most hardwood and softwood species commonly exported from Maine will now require phytosanitary certificates. A complete list of wood species requiring a phytosanitary certificate is available here.
If you have concerns or require more information about this coming change, please contact David Hirsch of USDA APHIS:
David J. Hirsch
Export Certification Specialist for PA, NJ, NY, CT, MA, RI, VT, NH, ME
USDA-APHIS-PPQ
53 North Sixth Street, Rm 203
New Bedford, MA?02740
Office: 508-997-5955
Mobile: 508-965-1940
Email Comments/Questions to David: [email protected]
A recent article in the Washington Post found that loggers and foresters have the highest levels of self-reported happiness ? and lowest levels of self-reported stress ? of any major industry category in the country.? Despite the dangerous nature of woods work, forestry workers? happiness derived in large part from being outside.? As one person interviewed for the story stated, ?Even on your worst day ? something has broken down and you need to get wood to the mill ? the wind?ll blow and you?ll inhale a familiar scent ? that pine sap ? and it?ll just take you to a place of peace instantly, ? It?s therapy. The woods is therapy, the forest is therapy. ?You can have the worst day ever but when you get out here? ?The forest just takes it all away.?
Read the full article (Note:? Subscription may be required).
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