APHIS amends entry requirements for importation of Fragaria spp., Rosa spp., and Rubus spp. plants from Canada into the United States to prevent the entry of the strawberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi) by Federal Order

Effective 14 September 2021, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending the entry requirements for the importation of Fragaria spp., Rosa spp., and Rubus spp. plants produced in Canada to prevent the introduction of the strawberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi) into the United States. To prevent introduction of strawberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi) into the United States, APHIS requires that Fragaria spp., Rosa spp., and Rubus spp. plants for planting produced in Canada must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with additional declarations described by Federal Emergency Order. The imported plants from Canada must have been produced and certified by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) of Canada as a pest-free place of production or a pest free production site for the strawberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi) following the requirements of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures-10. The shipment has been inspected and found to be free of the strawberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi

Strawberry blossom weevil is a serious pest of strawberry (Fragaria spp.) and raspberry (Rubus spp.). Blackberry (Rubus spp.) and rose (Rosa spp.) are considered occasional hosts. When imported as plants for planting these hosts represent a pathway for the entry of this pest into the United States. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported strawberry blossom weevil populations being detected in British Columbia, Canada. This detection is the first confirmed report of this pest in North America.