Regulated area expanded for plum pox virus in the Niagara Region

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has expanded the current regulated area for plum pox virus (PPV) in Ontario's Niagara region to prevent this plant disease from spreading further and to safeguard the region's tender fruit trees and associated industries. There are no human health or food safety risks associated with this disease.

This decision follows confirmed detections of the virus within 1 kilometre of the existing PPV regulated area. In accordance with international standards, the regulated area has been expanded by 2.5 kilometres to effectively manage the disease.

It is prohibited to move potentially infested materials, including regulated species of budwood (i.e. young branches with buds) and young plants grown in nursery (i.e. nursery stock), out of the regulated area. It is also prohibited to propagate regulated plant material within the regulated area. The CFIA will maintain its annual surveillance and monitoring activities in this area to prevent the further spread of the plum pox virus.

The continued regulation of PPV by the CFIA is required to maintain market access to the United States for Canadian fruit tree nursery stock produced outside the PPV infested place and to protect non-infested areas of Canada.