The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have issued a circular in advance of the peak season for Asian Gypsy Moth which begins on March 1, 2014.

The UK Club would like to remind all Members with vessels calling ports in Russia, China, Korea and Japan that they must arrive in North America free of AGM and with the required pre-departure certification. A copy of the certificate stating the vessel is free of Asian Gypsy Moth life stages must be forwarded to the vessel agents in Canada or the US.

To avoid vessel inspection delays and re-routing, shipping lines should perform intensive vessel self inspections to look for remove and properly dispose of any egg masses or other signs of AGM early life prior to arrival in Canadian/US waters. Vessels must provide two year port of call data, at least 96 hours prior to arrival in a North American port, to the Canadian or U.S. agent.

In 2013 US and Canadian authorities intercepted vessels with AGM and were ordered into international waters. Failure to meet all of the stated requirements could result in significant delays in loading and unloading cargo resulting in additional costs and/or loss of revenue to the shipping line.