Quarantine Information

On January 14th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) ended the Federal Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantine to place more emphasis on management and biological controls to combat the pest. In Vermont, while we continue to find new areas of infestation, our forests support overwhelmingly healthy populations of ash to protect as long as possible. Bearing that in mind, we urge Vermonters to continue to follow the “Slow the Spread” recommendations

Information regarding Federal deregulation of EAB

  • Compliance Agreements to Move Ash Wood:  Compliance agreements will no longer be needed to move ash wood unless the receiving state quarantine requires them. As of now, in our area, Maine is the only state that has a state EAB quarantine. A compliance agreement is required to move any regulated ash material from any out-of-state location into non-quarantined portions of the State of Maine. These agreements will be handled by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets (VAAFM). Learn more about Maine’s quarantine. If you need an agreement or have questions, contact Judy Rosovsky with VAAFM at 802-279-2212.
  • Firewood Kiln Certification: Kiln certifications will continue to be handled by the VAAFM. Certification is required every two years. If you need a kiln certification or have questions, contact Judy Rosovsky with VAAFM at 802-279-2212.
  • Ash Wood Exports: The removal of the Federal EAB quarantine in the United States will only impact domestic activities. USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine will continue to issue Phytosanitary Certificates for plants and plant products to meet an importing country’s phytosanitary requirements. Contact the Vermont Export Certification Specialist (ECS) or ECS from the state of export for more information. 
  • Questions and Answers: Changes in the Approach toward Fighting the Emerald Ash Borer from USDA APHIS.

Vermont State Regulations

The federal deregulation of EAB does not influence state regulations. Transporting wood visibly infested with EAB and importing untreated firewood from outside Vermont is not allowed. Specifically:

  • The Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets retains the authority, in accordance with 6 VSA 1035, to enforce rules against willful and intentional movement of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) or materials visibly infested with EAB.
  • The state of Vermont firewood quarantine regulates the movement of untreated firewood into Vermont. Due to the presence of EAB, waivers will not be issued for any ash firewood from infested counties unless it has been heat treated. More information about the Firewood Quarantine can be found here.

Resources

The following Vermont EAB resources have been updated to reflect the federal deregulation of EAB: