Public Recall of Camellias in BC

The BC Landscape and Nursery Association is working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to organize a public recall of recently-purchased camellias to halt the transmission of Sudden Oak Death, Phytophthora ramorum.

From the CFIA Press Release:

Any person who has bought camellia plants since September 1, 2003, particularly if they can be identified as originating from Monrovia Nursery, is asked to call a hotline number (1-877-666-4179 outside Vancouver and 604-666-4179 within the Vancouver area). Monrovia camellias can be identified by a picture label with the name “Monrovia” affixed to the plant stem or a “Monrovia” label on the pot. However, anyone who has a camellia plant and is unsure of its origin, or is unsure when it was bought, is also asked to call the hot line.

Collection staff hired by the BCLNA will be sent to the homes of people who own potentially infected camellias, to remove them in a manner that will prevent spreading of the disease.

Anyone who may have a camellia from Monrovia is asked to:

• Have ready the name of the garden centre where they purchased the camellia and the approximate purchase date


• Do NOT touch the plant. Leave it undisturbed in the garden. Suspect plants should be removed ONLY by qualified staff to prevent further spread of the disease.


• Do NOT take the plant or its leaves to garden centres. (Plants can be tested only at an accredited laboratory.)

An appreciation package, including a coupon that can be redeemed at a garden centre, will be given to each person that has a camellia removed.

Links:

• Camellia plant recall press release from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency


• Camellia plant recall press release from the BC Landscape and Nursery Association


• List of species regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death) from the CFIA


• BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries press release - similar to the others, but with extra web resources

Posted by Daniel Mosquin at 3:59 AM on April 28, 2004

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