D-95-03: Plant protection policy for marine 
vessels arriving in Canada from areas 
regulated for Asian gypsy moth ( Lymantria 
dispar, Lymantria albescens , Lymantria 
postalba, Lymantria umbrosa ) 
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Effective date: November 2021 
(18th revision)  
Subject 
This directive prescribes measures to prevent the entry of Asian gypsy moth (AGM) ( Lymantria 
dispar, Lymantria albescens,  Lymantria postalba,  Lymantria umbrosa ) on vessels and 
establishment of AGM in Canada 
This directive has been revised as follows: 
 Appendix 1 has been amended to revise the specified risk periods (SRPs) for Japan and 
Russia 
Table of contents 
 Review 
 Endorsement  
 Amendment Record  
 Distribution  
 Introduction  
 Scope 
 Reference  
 Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms  
 1.0 General requirements   
o 1.1 Legislative authority  
o 1.2 Fees  
 o 1.3 Regulated pests  
o 1.4 Regulated areas  
o 1.5 Regulated commodity  
 2.0 Specific vessel entry requirements   
o 2.1 Marine vessels entering Canada during the AGM risk period for Canada  
o 2.2 Marine vessels entering Canada outside of the AGM risk period for Canada  
 3.0 Inspection procedures  
 4.0 Non-compliance   
o 4.1 Certification  
o 4.2 Infestation  
o 4.3 Notification 
 5.0 Appendices   
o Appendix 1:  Regulated areas and specified risk periods 
o Appendix 2:  Summary of entry requirements 
o Appendix 3:  List of CFIA contacts and designated offshore inspection sites, for 
Asian gypsy moth, in eastern and western Canada 
o Appendix 4:  List of recognized sources of phytosanitary certificates and pre-
departure inspection certificates 
Review 
This directive will be updated as required. For further information or clarification, please contact 
the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 
Endorsement 
Approved by: 
 
Chief plant health officer 
Amendment record 
Amendments to this directive will be dated and distributed as outlined in the distribution below. 
Distribution 
1. Plant Health Directive listserv 
2. Internet 
Introduction 
Moths in the genus Lymantria  are pests of a broad range of coniferous and deciduous trees in 
temperate and subtropical parts of the world. These insects feed on the foliage of a wide range of  
 hosts of agricultural, forestry, horticultural or environmental importance. The species of concern 
are those that are absent from Canada including Lymantria albescens , Lymantria umbrosa , 
Lymantria postalba  and the Asian strains of Lymantria dispar , together commonly called Asian 
gypsy moth (AGM). 
Asian gypsy moth is not known to occur in North America, although incursions have occurred 
and populations have been eradicated in the past. Primarily, these entries have been the result of 
AGM larvae emerging from egg masses laid on ships and dispersing to land areas surrounding 
ports in North America. Port areas in infested countries sometimes experience high population 
levels of AGM. Females frequently fly at night and are known to be attracted to the lights aboard 
vessels and in the port areas. As a result, eggs may be laid on ship structures and cargo. These 
eggs are long-lived, tolerant of extremes in temperature and moisture, and can easily survive 
ocean crossings on vessels. When an infested vessel enters Canada, there exists the potential for 
the pest to be discharged along with the cargo or for the larvae of the insect to disperse onto 
surrounding vegetation through a natural process called "ballooning". Ballooning occurs when 
the larvae suspend themselves on a silken thread and are then carried by the wind to host trees 
where they feed. In the past, entry of this pest by vessels has necessitated a number of expensive 
and often intensive eradication programs. The CFIA's AGM policy has been in place since 1992 
to mitigate future introductions. 
Life stages of suspect AGM arriving in Canada on vessels from regulated ports in far eastern 
Asia where AGM is known to occur, as listed in this Directive, represent a risk to the Canadian 
plant resource base and the Canadian economy. The measures prescribed in this directive are 
intended to prevent incursions of AGM by requiring that AGM life stages, including egg masses, 
are eliminated from vessels arriving in Canada from regulated ports. Phytosanitary action may be 
taken on any suspect AGM life stage. 
Scope 
This directive is intended for use by any individual or company responsible for or acting on 
behalf of marine vessels wishing to enter Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, the 
Canadian Coast Guard (Department of Fisheries and Oceans), Transport Canada and the CFIA. 
This directive outlines the entry requirements for marine vessels arriving in Canada which have 
previously called upon ports in areas regulated for AGM. 
References 
ISPM No. 5: Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms, FAO, Rome (updated annually) 
This directive supercedes D-95-03 (17th Revision) and any other policy documents on this 
subject. 
Definitions, abbreviations and acronyms  
 Definitions for terms used in the present document can be found in the Plant Health Glossary of 
Terms. 
Specified risk period:  Refers to the time period in an Asian gypsy moth regulated area during 
which there is a risk of Asian gypsy moth flight and egg mass deposition. 
1.0 General requirements 
1.1 Legislative authority 
The Plant Protection Act, S.C. 1990, c. 22 
The Plant Protection Regulations, SOR/95-212 
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette: Part I 
Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, S.C. 1995, c. 40 
Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations, SOR/2000-187 
1.2 Fees 
The CFIA is charging fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees 
Notice. For information regarding fees associated with imported product, please contact the 
Import Service Centre (ISC) . 
Anyone requiring other information regarding fees may contact any local CFIA office or visit 
our Fees Notice Web Site . 
1.3 Regulated pests 
The species and sub-species referred to as Asian gypsy moth, (AGM), Lymantria albescens , 
Lymantria umbrosa , Lymantria postalba , Lymantria dispar japonica  and Lymantria dispar 
asiatica. 
1.4 Regulated areas 
Regulated areas are listed in Appendix 1. 
1.5 Regulated commodity 
This policy applies to any marine vessel entering Canada that has called on a port in a regulated 
area during a specified risk period when AGM is likely to be deposited on marine vessels. A list 
of the specified risk periods for each of the areas regulated for AGM is provided in Appendix 1. 
2.0 Specific vessel entry requirements 
A summary of requirements is provided in Appendix 2  
 All marine vessels entering Canada must be free from all life stages of AGM. 
All marine vessels entering Canada are subject to inspection at any time of the year to verify 
freedom from AGM. 
The Canadian agent is responsible for ensuring that a marine vessel which has visited a port in a 
regulated area, during the specified risk period (as per Appendix 1) in the current year or in the 
year immediately preceding the current year, notifies the applicable CFIA officer (as listed in 
Appendix 3) at least 96 hours  prior to the vessel's arrival in Canadian waters. 
The Master of a marine vessel which has visited a port in a regulated area during the specified 
periods listed in Appendix 1, in the current year or in the year immediately preceding the current 
year, must provide a summary of the ports called upon by the vessel for the past 2 years,  to 
CFIA, either directly or via the vessel's Canadian agent. The vessel may be required to report at a 
designated inspection site at a time mutually agreed to by the agent and the CFIA. 
2.1 Marine vessels entering Canada during the AGM risk period for Canada 
The AGM risk period for Canada begins in Western Canadian ports on March 1 and in Eastern 
Canadian ports on March 15. The end of the AGM risk period in Canada ends on September 15 
for all Canadian ports. 
The Master of a marine vessel arriving during the AGM risk period for Canada which has visited 
a port in a regulated areas during the specified risk periods listed in Appendix 1 in the current 
year or in the year immediately preceding the current year must provide to CFIA, either directly 
or via the vessel's Canadian agent: 
 a summary of the ports called upon by the vessel for the past 2 years; and 
 a copy of a Phytosanitary Certificate or other approved certificate(s) (a list of recognized 
sources of phytosanitary certificates and pre-departure inspection certificates  is 
provided in Appendix 4) 
 any AGM inspection report issued by the US Customs and Border Protection (US CBP), 
the Chilean Servicio Agricola Y Ganadero (SAG) or New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary 
Industries (MPI) which indicates the presence of AGM life stages, after AGM 
certification has been issued in an AGM regulated area 
 
Vessels calling on all ports of Labrador and north across Canada to the Yukon territory 
(including all ports in Yukon territory, Northwest territory, Nunavut, and all ports in Ontario and 
Quebec adjacent to Hudson Bay or James Bay) are exempt from providing a copy of a 
Phytosanitary Certificate or other approved certificate for AGM if these ports are the first and 
only ports of call in Canada. However, vessels calling on these northern ports are not exempt 
from notification requirements for AGM and must provide their forward Canadian port of call 
list as per the requirements below.  
 If a vessel is scheduled to call on a northern Canadian port and on a southern, non-exempted 
port, the vessel must provide a copy of a Phytosanitary Certificate or other approved certificate. 
Prior to the vessel entering Canadian waters , the Canadian agent is responsible for ensuring 
that the CFIA is notified. At the time of notification, a summary of ports of call and copies of an 
approved Phytosanitary Certificate or other approved certificate(s) must be provided to the 
CFIA. Contact information for CFIA offices in Eastern and Western Canada can be found in 
Appendix 3. 
The Phytosanitary Certificate or other approved certificate(s) must be issued by a National Plant 
Protection Organization (NPPO) or recognized certification body, as specified in Appendix 4. 
The certificate must state that the vessel was inspected and found free from AGM. The certificate 
must be issued from at least the last port of call in a regulated area (as specified in Appendix 1) 
that was visited during the specified risk period prior, or anytime afterwards, prior to entering 
Canadian waters. 
The vessel may enter a Canadian port upon written confirmation by the appropriate CFIA office. 
The vessel remains subject to inspection by the CFIA during its stay in Canada. The original 
Phytosanitary Certificate or other approved certificate(s) must be made available to the CFIA for 
review upon request. 
Vessels that fail to meet this requirement for a certificate will be considered non-compliant. A 
certified vessel for which an inspection reveal the presence of AGM will be non-compliant and 
actions taken in accordance with Section 4.0. This includes an inspection by US CBP, Chilean 
SAG officials or New Zealand’s MPI that finds and reports AGM life stages. 
2.2 Marine vessels entering Canada outside of the AGM risk period for Canada. 
Subject to the requirements outlined in section 2.0, all marine vessels arriving in Canada outside 
of the AGM risk period for Canada, which have visited ports in regulated areas will be permitted 
to enter Canadian ports without interruption. These vessels are subject to inspection at any time 
during their stay in Canada. 
A Phytosanitary Certificate or other approved certificate(s) for the vessel is not required  for 
entry into Canada during this period. 
Should an inspection reveal the presence of AGM, the vessel will be considered to be non-
compliant and actions taken in accordance with Section 4.0. 
3.0 Inspection procedures 
CFIA inspection staff will determine the frequency of inspection and geographical location of 
the inspection prior to entry into Canada. CFIA inspection staff will thoroughly inspect all areas 
of a marine vessel at a designated inspection site. Inspections normally occur during daylight 
hours. The CFIA will notify the vessel in writing of the inspection results.  
 Marine vessels which have visited a regulated area and present a valid Phytosanitary Certificates 
or other approved certificate(s) (as per Appendix 4) and that are found free of AGM after 
phytosanitary inspection by authorities in the United States (U.S.), Chile or New Zealand may 
enter a Canadian port without inspection, provided that the original confirmation of inspection 
carried out by U.S.,  Chilean or New Zealand authorities is presented as part of the pre-arrival 
documentation. AGM inspection results from the United States are recognized if they are issued 
by US Customs and Border Protection (US CBP), from Chile if they are issued by Servicio 
Agricola Y Ganadero (SAG), and from New Zealand if they are issued by the Ministry for 
Primary Industries (MPI). Note: Inspection reports issued by US CBP, SAG or MPI are not 
considered AGM certification and do not take the place of AGM certification issued by 
recognized sources of phytosanitary certificates and pre-departure inspection certificates, 
as required by section 2.1.  
 
4.0 Non-compliance 
Notifications of non-compliance will be issued in accordance with D-01-06: Canadian 
Phytosanitary Policy for the Notification of Non-compliance and Emergency Action . 
 
4.1 Certification 
A vessel without the required certification under Section 2.1 may not be permitted entry into 
Canada unless: 
 an inspection by the CFIA at a designated offshore inspection site is conducted, and 
 the inspector is satisfied that the risk of introducing AGM has been mitigated 
If the vessel is permitted entry, the vessel will be considered non-compliant during the entire stay 
in Canada and vessel movements will be regulated by the CFIA while the vessel is in Canadian 
waters. The vessel may be subject to additional enforcement action. A vessel calling on a 
Canadian port for a second time without the required certification may be refused entry to 
Canada. 
4.2 Infestation 
Upon inspection, if an inspector is not satisfied that the risk of introducing AGM has been 
mitigated, the vessel will be ordered out of Canadian waters and refused entry for up to 2 years 
during the AGM risk period for Canada or until the ship meets the requirements specified in 
Section 2.1. The vessel may also be subject to additional enforcement action. 
At a CFIA inspector's discretion, a vessel that has been ordered out of Canada or the U.S. due to 
the presence of AGM may be permitted to conduct a thorough cleaning of all life stages of AGM  
 outside Canadian waters. Once cleaning is complete, the vessel may be allowed to return to 
Canadian waters for re-inspection at a designated offshore inspection site. If an inspector is 
satisfied that the risk of introducing AGM has been mitigated, the vessel may then be allowed to 
proceed to a Canadian port. The vessel's movements will be regulated by the CFIA while in 
Canadian waters. During subsequent visits to Canada, a vessel found infested with AGM may be 
required to be inspected at a designated off-shore inspection site prior to entry into Canada, 
unless the vessel meets the entry requirements specified in Section 2.0. The vessel may also be 
subject to additional enforcement action. 
Upon re-inspection of the vessel, if an inspector is not satisfied  that the risk of introducing AGM 
has been mitigated, the vessel will be ordered out of Canadian waters and refused entry for up to 
2 years during the AGM risk period for Canada or until the ship meets the requirements specified 
in Section 2.1. 
4.3 Notification 
A Canadian agent that fails to notify the CFIA of a vessel arriving during the AGM risk period 
for Canada which has visited a port in a regulated area during the specified risk periods (as listed 
in Appendix 1), prior to the vessel entering Canadian waters, will be considered to be non-
compliant.  
 
5.0 Appendices 
Appendix 1: Regulated Areas and Specified Risk Periods 
Appendix 2: Summary of Entry Requirements 
Appendix 3: List of CFIA contacts and designated offshore inspection sites, for Asian gypsy 
moth, in Eastern and Western Canada 
Appendix 4: List of recognized sources of phytosanitary certificates and pre-departure Inspection 
Certificates 
Appendix 1: Regulated areas and specified risk periods 
Country Ports Specified 
period 
Russia Far East Nakhodka, Ol'ga, Plastun, Pos'yet, Russkiy Island, 
Slavyanka, Vanino, Vladivostok Vostochny, Zarubino, 
Kozmino June 15 to 
October 15 
People's Republic 
of China All ports in northern China, including all ports north of 
Shanghai (defined as all ports on or north of 31°15' north June 1 to 
September 30   
 Country Ports Specified 
period 
latitude) 
Republic of Korea  All ports June 1 to 
September 30  
Country  Prefecture  Specified 
period  
Japan - Northern Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Akita, 
Yamagata June 15 to 
October 15 
Japan - Central Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa 
Fukui, Ibaraki, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Aichi, 
Mie June 1to 
September 30 
 
Japan - Southern Wakayama, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Tottori, Shimane, 
Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Kagawa, Tokushima, 
Ehime, Kochi, Fukuoka, Oita, Saga, Nagasaki, Miyazaki, 
Kumamoto, Kagoshima May 15 to 
August 31 
Japan - Far 
Southern Okinawa May 25 to June 
30 
Appendix 2: Summary of entry requirements 
Marine vessels 2 year port of call 
history Arrival date in 
Canada Regulatory action 
Marine vessels that have called on 
AGM regulated areas during the 
specified risk period as outlined 
in Appendix 1 during the current 
year or the preceding year Arriving during 
the AGM risk 
period for 
Canada  
Western ports: 
March 1 to 
September 15 
Eastern ports: 
March 15 to 
September 15 A valid phytosanitary certificate or 
recognized pre-departure inspection 
certificate (a list of CFIA recognized 
certificates is provided in Appendix 4) 
verifying that the vessel is free of AGM 
must be presented.  
The vessel is subject to inspection for the 
presence of AGM on arrival in Canada. 
Vessels without valid certification will be 
considered non-compliant, and held at a 
designated off-shore inspection site for 
CFIA inspection. If a CFIA inspector is 
satisfied that the risk of introducing AGM 
has been mitigated, vessels may be 
permitted to enter Canada, but their 
movements will be regulated while in 
Canada. If AGM is detected during  
 Marine vessels 2 year port of call 
history Arrival date in 
Canada Regulatory action 
inspection, the vessel will be considered 
non-compliant, and  ordered removed 
from Canada. 
Marine vessels that have called on 
AGM regulated areas during the 
specified risk period as outlined 
in Appendix 1 during the current 
year or the preceding year Arriving outside 
the AGM risk 
period for 
Canada  
Western ports: 
September 16 to 
February 28 (or 
29) 
Eastern ports: 
September 16 to 
March 14 A phytosanitary certificate or other 
approved certificate(s) for the vessel is 
not required. Marine vessels may be 
inspected at berth for presence of AGM. 
If AGM is detected during inspection, the 
vessel will be considered non-compliant. 
Marine vessels which have not 
visited an area regulated for 
AGM in the current year or the 
preceding year OR visited an 
area regulated for AGM outside 
of the specified risk period for 
this area as outlined in 
Appendix 1 in the current year or 
the preceding year Year round, all 
ports A phytosanitary certificate or other 
approved certificate(s) for the vessel is 
not required. Any marine vessel may be 
inspected for the presence of AGM. If 
AGM is detected during inspection, the 
vessel will be considered non-compliant. 
Appendix 3: List of CFIA contacts and designated offshore 
inspection sites, for Asian gypsy moth, in eastern and 
western Canada 
Eastern Canada 
CFIA AGM vessel monitoring unit contact information: 
Dartmouth office 
Email: cfia.agm-sa.acia@canada.ca  
Phone: 902-943-7582 
Fax: 902-426-4192 
Designated offshore inspection sites:  
 Chedabucto Bay 
Halifax Harbour 
Western Canada 
CFIA AGM vessel monitoring unit contact information: 
Vancouver Harbour office 
Email: cfia.bcagm-sacb.acia@canada.ca  
Phone: 604-292-5812 
Fax: 604-292-5601 
Designated offshore inspection sites: 
Constance Bank 
Hecate Strait 
Appendix 4: List of recognized sources of phytosanitary 
certificates and pre-departure inspection certificates 
Phytosanitary certificates issued by the NPPO of Russia. 
A pre-departure inspection certificate is an approved certificate if issued by the International 
Plant Quarantine Accreditation Board (IPAB) in the Republic of Korea. 
A pre-departure inspection certificate is an approved certificate if issued by the China 
Certification and Inspection Company Ltd. (CCIC) in the People's Republic of China. 
A pre-departure inspection certificate is an approved certificate if issued by the following 
recognized third party inspection bodies in Japan: 
 All Nippon Checkers Corporation (ANCC) 
 The Japan Cargo Tally Corporation (JCTC) 
 Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center Co., Ltd. (JEVIC) 
 Japan Grain Inspection Association (JGIA) 
 Hokkaido Bouekikunjyo Co. Ltd. (HBKC) 
 Hokuriku Port Service Co., Ltd. (HPS) 
 Intertek Testing Services (Australia) Pty Limited – Japan Branch (INTERTEK) 
 Kanto Fumigation Co. Ltd. (KFCO) 
 Kobe Plant Quarantine Association (KOBEPQA) 
 Keiyochiku Plant Quarantine Association (KPQA) 
 Kyoritsu Sanitary Co. Ltd. (KRS) 
 Muroran & Tomakomai Plant Quarantine Association (MTPQA) 
 Navrex & Corporation (NRX) 
 Nikkun Co. Ltd. (NCL)  
  Nippon Kaiji Kentei Kyokai (NKKK) 
 Okayama-Ken Plant Quarantine Association (OKYPQA) 
 Osaka Plant Quarantine Association (OPQA) 
 Osaka Timber Quarantine Association (OSKTQA) 
 Shin Nihon Kentei Kyokai (SNKK) 
 Techno Kasei Co. Ltd. (TKL) 
 Tokai Plant Quarantine Association (TOKAIPQA) 
 Tokyo Plant Quarantine Association (TPQA) 
 Yokohama Plant Protection Association (YPPA)