The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has updated its information regarding the Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) program.

Due to the serious pest risk of AGM, ships arriving in to the US/Canada, from Japan and Far East Russia, without the required AGM certificates will be subject to increased inspection and possible delays in berthing and cargo operations.

Japan Certification Requirements are unchanged for 2008

Commercial ships that transit the regulated, conditional ports during high-risk periods will be required to have certification of freedom from Asian gypsy moth if they intend to visit US and Canada ports before the start of the next high-risk season next year.

Shipping interests destined to the US and Canada must contact the below Japanese inspection entities directly in order to facilitate the scheduling of certification. This is consistent with the program in Far East Russia, except that the system in Japan is operated by selected private companies, not government entities.

The following are a listing of six approved and trained companies that provide AGM certification is Japan:

• Nippon Kaiji Kentei Kyokai (NKKK)
• SK Surveyors & Sworn Measurers' Association
• All Nippon Checkers Corporation
• The Japan Cargo Tally Corporation
• Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center Co., Ltd. (JEVIC)
• Japan Grain Inspection Association

The following Japanese ports are deemed high risk:

Japan Ports Ooita Hiroshima Hannon Sakata Hachinohe Hakodate

Period of Risk June 1 – August 15 June 1 – August 15 June 1 – August 15 July 1 – September 15 July 15 – October 1 July 15 – October 1

Certification should be scheduled for the last regulated port visited, unless the ship is scheduled to travel to Far East Russia after Japan where it would receive certification at that location.

Far East Russia requirements are unchanged

The large majority of the ship inspections are conducted in Vladivostok, Nakhodka,and Vostochnyy. Other ports on the high-risk list for Russia include: Olga, Slavyanka, Zarubino, Plastun, Vanino, and Posyet. The high risk period for all of the Far East Russia ports remains July 15- September 30.

Further information on AGM procedures can be found on the APHIS website using the following link: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/gypsy_moth/index.shtml

All ships are strongly encouraged to comply with these requirements to prevent any disruption or delays on arrival into US/Canada ports. Ships that arrive without certification are subject to offshore inspection or inspection in alternate, remote locations. This is likely to result in schedule delays. Ships with certificates will not be subject to additional, non-routine agricultural inspection.

Source of information:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Internet: www.aphis.usda.gov Tel: +1 301 734 4374 Email: michael.simon@aphis.usda.gov