Asian Gypsy MothFebruary 2016
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 could have significant negative impacts on the North American plantresource base, commerce that relies on those plant resources, and to market 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 the United States (U.S.) and Canadianauthorities collaborate on measures to minimize the risk of AGM incursion. Although the plant
health and agricultural agencies of the U.S. and Canada are independent and have variances intheir legislation, AGM risk mitigation and exclusion efforts are a joint effort and considered a highpriority.
In all cases of vessels arriving without the required AGM certification, or upon detection ofAGM, significant delays in cargo loading or discharging activities as well as in routine
clearance can occur, resulting in loss of revenue to the shipping line and associated parties.
The shipping industry has significantly enhanced awareness of necessary quarantine compliance
for AGM. This has been vital to maintaining shipping schedules. Both countries are committed
to working with industry partners to support measures that will 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 of
Asian gypsy moth life stages, must be forwarded to their U.S or Canadian agents. The
inspections should be performed as close to vessel departure time from the regulated
port as possible. 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 allegg 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.
Table 1. Regulated Areas and Specified Risk Periods
Country
Port or Prefecture
Nakhodka, Ol'ga, Plastun, Pos'yet, Russkiy Island,Russian Far EastSlavyanka, Vanino, Vladivostok, Vostochny, Zarubino,Kozmino
All ports in northern China, including all ports north 31°
People's Republic of China
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
regulated areas and upon arrival in North America.
Upon arrival in North America, there have been detections on vessels that obtained predeparture certification. Where certification has been issued many days prior to ship departurefrom an area 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. It isalso of vital importance that a ship’s crew ensures freedom from AGM by conducting
inspection of the ship superstructure while en route to North America and removing anddestroying all life stages of AGM detected.
It is the responsibility of the shipping lines to meet all requirements for entry to the U.S. andCanada for 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 in
the port of entry if you have any questions regarding AGM import requirements or clearance
procedures.