Canadian Forest Service Publications
Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis: An Economic Analysis of Regulations in Canada. 2020. Hope, E., Sun, L., McKenney, D., Bogdanski, B.E.C., Pedlar,J., Macaulay, L., MacDonald, H., Lawrence, K. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Information report BC-X-454. 28 p.
Year: 2020
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 40218
Language: English
Series: Information Report (PFC - Victoria)
Availability: PDF (download)
Plain Language Summary
The purpose of this study, commissioned by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, was to evaluate the net benefits of current quarantine regulations in place to slow the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), invasive alien pest that is lethal to ash trees, from central Canada to other regions. The study first estimated what the cost of regulations are on both the regulatory agency (CFIA) and industry that uses ash trees. Next, the study estimated avoided damages (or benefits) by modeling the spread and damages of the EAB with and without regulations in place. A broad range of scenarios was considered due to the high uncertainty with regard to the effectiveness of regulation slowing the spread of the EAB. The findings of the study suggest that current regulations likely are beneficial, even under the most pessimistic effectiveness scenario considered. This study’s results will help inform CFIA officials’ deliberations regarding if it is in Canada’s interests to maintain current regulations, especially in light of possible US deregulation in the near future.
