Asian Gypsy MothFebruary 2017
Asian gypsy moth (AGM) is a serious pest that can be carried on ships and cargo. AGM
populations are prevalent in some seaport areas in Far East Russia, Japan, Korea, and NorthernChina. If introduced, AGM would have significant negative impacts on North American forestry
and agriculture, the natural environment, the commerce that relies on those plant resources, andmarket access.
Vessels must arrive in North American ports free of AGM and with required pre-departure
certification. It is vital that the maritime industry and authorities in the United States (U.S.)
and Canada collaborate on measures to minimize the risk of AGM incursion. Although theplant health and agricultural agencies of the U.S. and Canada are independent and have differencesin their legislation, AGM risk mitigation and exclusion efforts are a joint effort and a high priority.
When vessels arrive without the required AGM certification, or when AGM is detected,
significant delays in cargo loading or discharging activities as well as in routine clearance canoccur, resulting in loss of revenue to the shipping line and associated parties.
The shipping industry is now more aware of necessary quarantine compliance for AGM. Thishas been vital to maintaining shipping schedules. Both countries are committed to working withindustry partners on measures to reduce AGM risk at origin.

Actions
For vessels that have called on areas regulated for AGM during the specified periods, asoutlined in Table 1, the following measures are required:
1.

Vessels must be inspected and must obtain pre-departure certification from arecognized certification body. A copy of the certificate, stating that the vessel is free ofAGM life stages, must be forwarded to their U.S or Canadian agents. The certificate
must be issued from at least the last port of call in a regulated area that was visited
during the specific risk period.

2. Vessels must arrive in North American ports free from AGM. To avoid facing
inspection delays, re-routing and other potential impacts associated with mitigating therisk of entry of AGM to North America, shipping lines should perform intensive vessel
self-inspections to look for, remove (scrape off) and properly dispose of or destroy all
egg masses and other life stages of AGM prior to entering U.S. and Canadian ports.
3. Vessels must provide two year port of call data, at least 96 hours prior to arrival ina North American port, to the Canadian or U.S. agent. The agent is to ensure that
this information is provided to U.S. and Canadian officials.
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Table 1. Regulated Areas and Specified Risk Periods
Country
Port or Prefecture
Nakhodka, Ol'ga, Plastun, Pos'yet, Russkiy Island,Russian Far East
Slavyanka, Vanino, Vladivostok, Vostochny, Zarubino,Kozmino
All ports in northern China, including all ports on or northPeople's Republic of Chinaof 31° 15´Republic of Korea

All ports

Japan – Northern

Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima

Japan Western

Akita, Yamagata, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa

Japan – EasternJapan – Southern
Japan - Far Southern

Fukui, Ibaraki, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Aichi,Mie
Wakayama, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Tottori, Shimane,Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Kagawa, Tokushima,Ehime, Kochi, Fukuoka, Oita, Saga, Nagasaki, Miyazaki,Kumamoto, Kagoshima
Okinawa

Specified Period
July1 to September
30
June 1 to September
30
June 1 to September
30
July 1 to September
30
June 25 to September
15
June 20 to August 20

June 1 to August 10
May 25 to June 30

In addition, vessels are reminded to ensure they are in good repair and decks are clear ofdebris and unnecessary obstacles to allow for thorough inspection both in AGM regulatedareas and upon arrival in North America. While in regulated ports during moth flight periods
and where port operations and safety allow, reducing lighting and keeping exterior doors andcurtains closed may reduce the number of moths being attracted to the vessel. Requesting
inspection and certification services as far in advance as possible and providing two-year portof call history at the time of that request allows the inspection and certification body to better
plan for delivery of the service in a timely manner.
Upon arrival in North America, there have been detections on vessels that obtained predeparture certification. If certification is issued many days prior to ship departure from anarea regulated for AGM, re-infestation can occur. Therefore, it is important that inspection
and certification be conducted as close to time of departure as feasible during flightperiods.
It is the responsibility of the shipping lines to meet all requirements for entry to the U.S. andCanada, including freedom from AGM and other pest concerns. We strongly urge maritime
interests to take all possible precautions.
Please be advised that, although the U.S. and Canada are in full agreement on the requirement
for AGM pre-departure certification and vessels arriving free from all AGM life forms (eggmasses, pupae, adults), due to sovereign regulations and policies, there are differences in portof-entry processes between the two countries. Please contact local inspection authorities inthe port of entry if you have any questions regarding AGM import requirements or clearance
procedures.

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