Question Period Note: PLANT PESTS

Q1 – What is the Government doing to protect against Spotted lanternfly? Q2 – What is the Government doing to protect against Japanese Beetle? Q3 – What is the Government doing to protect against box tree moth?
Q4 – What is the Government doing to protect against hemlock woolly adelgid?

R.1 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is proactively working to delay the arrival and spread of the spotted lanternfly in Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has not confirmed any established populations of spotted lanternfly in Canada, however, sightings of the pest have been reported in various locations across Canada. Canada has been tracking these observations and has a response plan ready in the event it is needed.

Nursery stock and deciduous logs with bark from infested U.S. areas are high risk commodities. Import rules have been in place for nursery stock since 2021 and are being finalized for logs.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is also raising awareness, conducting national surveillance, and coordinating with U.S. counterparts and Canadian stakeholders to prepare for a potential detection. R.2 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is working with partners in British Columbia to eradicate Japanese beetle and maintain the province’s pest-free status.

Since its detection in Vancouver in 2017, regulated areas have been established, and surveillance, treatments, and outreach are ongoing.

New detections in Burnaby, Port Coquitlam, and Kamloops have expanded the effort.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is also supporting the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s efforts to eradicate Japanese beetle in St. John’s and control the spread in Newfoundland.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency also collaborates with U.S. states and coordinates with local governments and industry. As long as eradication continues, BC can maintain trade with U.S. states that require pest-free certification. R.3 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulates box tree moth and has put in place movement restrictions for boxwood moving outside the declared infested area to prevent the spread of box tree moth.

A national advisory committee, including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and various provincial and industry partners, is actively managing the pest and raising awareness. R.4 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is working in collaboration with federal, provincial, municipal and Indigenous partners as well as other organizations to slow the spread of hemlock woolly adelgid and protect Canadian forests from this devastating insect.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for protecting Canada’s plant resources from harmful pests and invasive species. The CFIA enforces the Plant Protection Act and related regulations to control the movement of plants and plant products.

Spotted Lanternfly
Spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that poses threats to the grape, tree fruit, wine and ornamental nursery industries.

In 2014, it was detected in Pennsylvania and has since spread to 19 states. It has caused significant economic impacts in the United States, such as reduced grape quality, yield losses of up to 90% and, in an extreme case, death of vines despite significantly increased pesticide applications.

Spotted lanternfly has been detected in Canada but has not been established. Once established, is predicted to have a significant negative impact on the Canadian wine and grape industry which is reported to contribute $11.5 billion in economic impact to the Canadian economy. It has been regulated by the CFIA since 2018 under the Plant Protection Act.

The CFIA has undertaken several activities to monitor, prevent and prepare the response including establishing import requirements, conducting surveillance activities and forming a National spotted lanternfly technical advisory group to coordinate communications, surveillance and treatment options among government, industry and invasive species councils.

Japanese Beetle
The Japanese beetle is an invasive plant pest that feeds heavily on over 300 plant species, including landscape and ornamental plants; nursery stock; and, food plants found in fruit and vegetable gardens, orchards and agricultural crops. Elm trees, maple trees, roses, grapevines, fruit trees (including peach, apple, apricot, cherry and plum trees), blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and other small fruit, are all preferred Japanese beetle hosts, along with turf.

The province of British Columbia (BC) is the only Category 1 Japanese beetle pest-free area in Canada. The CFIA is collaborating with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, municipalities, industry and other non-governmental stakeholders to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle in BC and maintain the province's pest-free status.

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador is attempting to prevent the spread of Japanese beetle and is working on eradication efforts in St-John’s with the support of the CFIA.

Box tree moth
Box tree moth is a serious pest affecting boxwood plants. Boxwood plants are important when it comes to nursery trade between Canada and the United States and are a major part of Canada's landscape. The box tree moth is a regulated pest in Canada. In Canada, this pest is found exclusively on boxwood shrubs.

In the summer of 2023, box tree moth was confirmed on residential properties in Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In the summer of 2024, the pest was confirmed at a residence in Prince Edward Island. Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island are considered the areas regulated for box tree moth in Canada.

British Columbia remains pest-free. Surveillance and community science help maintain British Columbia’s status.

Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA)
The hemlock woolly adelgid is an aphid-like insect that poses a serious ecological threat. In many forests across Canada, hemlock serves a vital role in protecting watersheds and streams in natural forest ecosystems. Loss of eastern hemlock could negatively affect the health of vegetation, birds, aquatic organisms and mammals.

This pest is currently impacting areas in both Ontario and Nova Scotia and the regulated area has been expanded to better control the dispersion of this pest, while raising awareness with the public. The Ministerial Order to protect hemlocks was recently expanded on August 19, 2025.

The CFIA is working in collaboration with federal, provincial, municipal and Indigenous partners as well as other organizations to slow the spread of HWA and protect Canadian forests.

• The Government of Canada is committed to protecting Canada’s plant resources from invasive species and harmful pests.

• Through science-based surveillance, strong regulations, and collaboration with provinces, Indigenous communities, and international partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency helps protect our environment, food supply, and economy.

• Protecting Canada’s ecosystems and industries starts with early detection and rapid response. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency leads the charge by conducting assessments and surveillance to safeguard Canada’s environment, economy, and communities.