The Risk Management Document provides an assessment of risk management options to regulate Cydalima perspectalis (Box tree moth) in Canada.
Cydalima perspectalis, box tree moth (BTM), is native to East Asia and has become a serious invasive pest of Buxus spp. plants in Europe. In 2018, three moths were reported in Ontario, Canada, and pest presence was confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in November that same year.
C. perspectalis is not currently a regulated pest in Canada. Although Buxus spp. plants are not native to North America, they are widely distributed in North American nurseries, gardens, and parks as an important ornamental shrub and thus, the establishment and spread of C. perspectalis in North America is a concern to the landscape and nursery industries.
The risk management document includes a summary of CFIA's risk assessments on C. perspectalis and presents three pest risk management options for the pest in Canada under the authority of the Plant Protection Act:
• Option 1 Status quo: No specific phytosanitary measures for C. perspectalis.
• Option 2 Federal regulation of the pest: Creation of a localized regulated area in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Niagara peninsula (municipalities with positive detections in 2021).
• Option 3 Federal regulation of the pest: Creation of a regulated area for all of Ontario (recommended).
Under Option 3, import restrictions for Buxus spp. would be implemented, including prohibition of imports of Buxus spp. from the infested area in New York State, United States of America and other countries where Cydalima perspectalis is known to occur. Domestic movement controls for Buxus spp. moving out of the regulated area will be implemented requiring facilities producing Buxus spp. to implement a system to prevent pest spread (e.g., pest module) and obtain a written authorization from CFIA if they want to move or sell Buxus spp. outside the regulated area.
Feedback received will inform the CFIA's regulatory approach for managing the pest risk posed by box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in Canada.
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