Sudden oak death – Phytophthora ramorum
Phytophthora ramorum, is a fungus-like plant pathogen that causes a disease known as Ramorum Blight and Leafdrop on a wide variety of nursery plants. It has also been associated with a disease of oak, known as "Sudden Oak Death" that was first observed in coastal California in the mid-1990's and now occurs as far north as southern Oregon.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducts annual surveys for P. ramorum and has in the past detected the presence of the organism on plants in a number of retail/wholesale nurseries (mainly associated with imports from the United States) in the southern coastal area of British Columbia. When P. ramorum is found, the nursery site is placed under quarantine and all infected plant material is destroyed. Extensive surveys and traceforward and traceback activities are then conducted to ensure the organism has been eliminated.
What information is available?
- Inspection Procedures
- Policy Directives
- D-08-04 - Plant Protection Import Requirements for Plants and Plant Parts for Planting: Preventing the Entry and Spread of Regulated Plant Pests Associated with the Plants for Planting Pathway
- D-02-12 - Import requirements of non-manufactured wood and other non-propagative wood products, except solid wood packaging material, from all areas other than the continental United States
- D-01-12 - Phytosanitary Requirements for the Importation and Domestic Movement of Firewood
- D-01-01 - Phytosanitary Requirements to Prevent the Entry of Phytophthora ramorum Associated with Sudden Oak Death into Canada
- D-98-08 - Entry Requirements for Wood Packaging Materials Produced in All Areas Other Than the Continental United States
- D-96-20 - Canadian Growing Media Program, prior approval process and import requirements for plants rooted in approved media
- D-95-26 - Phytosanitary requirements for soil and related matter, alone or in association with plants
- Areas Regulated for the Control of Phytophthora Ramorum
- List of Plants Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)
- Pest Risk Assessment Summary (Kristjansson and Miller, 2009)
- Phytophthora Ramorum Compensation Regulations
Additional government and industry information can be found at:
- California Oak Mortality Task Force
- State of California
- State of Oregon
- United States Department of Agriculture
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