News Release
June 13, 2003

For Immediate Release

Sudden Oak Death Discovered at B.C. Nursery

NEW WESTMINSTER, BC ; The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is actively investigating a case of Sudden Oak Death found in a rhododendron plant in a nursery in British Columbia.

Sudden Oak Death is a fungal disease of plants and trees that has not been identified previously in Canada. The disease affects plant species differently. Stems and leaves of susceptible fruit plants can be contaminated by the fungal infection, but the fruit is not affected. Sudden Oak Death does not present a threat to human health.

This case was found during a traceback, which was initiated following notification by the U.S. of a positive find in a U.S. nursery that had been shipped to Canada.

Sudden Oak Death could affect a number of common plant species in Canada, including rhododendrons, viburnum, and camellia — in addition, some species of oak, maple, and Douglas fir trees are known to be at risk, based on the experience in California, Oregon, and several European countries where the disease exists.

The CFIA is following up on tracebacks, including imports from Oregon in its investigation. The nursery where the case of Sudden Oak Death was found is a wholesale nursery, and does not sell plants to the general public. Strict regulatory control measures are being taken to destroy all identified plant materials and put sanitation measures are in place to prevent the spread of the disease.

In addition, the restrictions announced by the CFIA in March, 2001 prohibiting the entry of plants, or plant parts, of oaks, tanoaks, rhododendrons, and huckleberry species from The Netherlands, Germany, and a number of counties in California, remain in place.

As Canada's largest science-based regulatory agency, the CFIA is committed to protecting Canada's plant resource base from pests and diseases, and meeting Canada's international regulatory control requirements. More information can be found at the CFIA Web site, www.inspection.gc.ca.

For more information:
CFIA Media Relations (613) 228-6682
Sam Rainboth, CFIA Communications Officer (604) 666-1357

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