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Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, was recently detected in Granville County, North Carolina. This identification of an adult beetle and confirmation of classic EAB symptoms from nearby trees brings the total number of U.S. states with this pest to nineteen. For assistance in identifying the presence of this pest, view the U.S. Forest Service diagnostic document by clicking here.

Filed under: pest

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The second list of plants and flowers USDA-APHIS proposes to prohibit for import into the U.S. – the “NAPPRA” (Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis) Round Two list – has been published by USDA for public comment. Once USDA-APHIS has reviewed the public comments, it will publish a final list of the plants or flowers to be prohibited for import until a pest risk analysis has been completed for them.

Filed under: pest • disease • USDA

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Last week, USDA-APHIS declared the Asian Longhorn Beetle (ALB) infestations in the New York boroughs of Manhattan and Staten Island eradicated, lifting those areas from quarantine status. This follows the March announcement of the successful eradication of ALB in New Jersey and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s success in eliminating ALB from cities in Ontario, which was announced in April. Eradication is accomplished after all infested trees are removed and three years of surveys prove negative for beetle activity.

Filed under: pest • regulation

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ANLA, and our partners in the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, are encouraged by the broad bipartisan support for the 2013 Farm Bill, demonstrated by the Agriculture committees of the U.S. Senate and House. Last week both committees passed their respective version of the bill last week. The Senate passed their version with a 15-5 vote and the House passed theirs with a 36-10 vote. Both bills look largely like they did last year – before final passage of a new Farm Bill fell short due to inaction by the U.S. House. This year the Senate is reporting about $23 billion in savings over ten years and the House reporting nearly $40 billion in savings.

Filed under: Farm Bill • legislation • research • disease • pest

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On May 6th, ANLA submitted comments to USDA-APHIS in support of updating the Imported Fire Ant (IFA) treatment manual. A recent environmental assessment conducted by USDA-APHIS, in collaboration with the University of Tennessee, identified additional practices for treating balled-and-burlapped nursery stock and grass sod that were effective in preventing IFA from being transported outside of regulated areas. The research also describes how B&B drenches can be done in a manner that would reduce the number of necessary pesticide applications and the quantity of the pesticide used.

Filed under: pest • regulation • USDA