PLUM POX VIRUS CONFIRMED IN CANADA

Ottawa, June 23, 2000 –– The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) today announced the discovery of plum pox virus (PPV) in an orchard outside Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Sample testing by the CFIA’’s Centre for Plant Health in Sidney, B.C. confirmed the infection. This is the first discovery of plum pox virus in Canada.

Plum pox virus, also known as sharka, is a serious disease infecting stone fruit species of the genus Prunus including peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and ornamental varieties. PPV does not kill trees but it renders the fruit tasteless and low in sugar, making it unsuitable for eating and processing. There is no treatment for infected trees. They must be destroyed to prevent the spread of the disease. PPV is spread over short distances by aphids and over larger distances through grafting of infected budwood or nursery stock. PPV does not affect humans.

The strain of the virus found in Canada has been identified as Strain D. The same strain of PPV was found in Prunus trees in Pennsylvania in October 1999. This was the first time PPV was found in North America. The CFIA suspended the importation of Prunus plant material from the U.S. in November 1999. The nectarine trees outside of Niagara-on-the-Lake confirmed to have PPV were imported from Pennsylvania.

All Prunus plant material (including nursery trees, scionwood and rootstocks) imported from Pennsylvania in the last three years have been placed under a prohibition of movement, and the surveying of this material for the presence of PPV began this spring. The CFIA has initiated a PPV Emergency Program to intensify surveys to assess and determine the extent of the disease and take actions to control its spread.

The CFIA is consulting with the National Plum Pox Virus Task Force, a group of scientists, provincial advisors and industry representatives on activities to prevent and control the spread of this disease. The CFIA will continue to provide updates on the progress of the survey and eradication activities. For further information, the public toll-free line is 1-877-854-1599.

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A Fact Sheet on Plum Pox Virus can be found on the CFIA’’s Website at: http://www.cfia-acia.agr.ca