Subject: Fourth Revision of Southern Currents 12-013 Submission of Vessel “Ports of Call” Lists to CBP Prior to Arrival for Agriculture Targeting, and Procedures for Asian Gypsy Month [AGM] Targeted Vessels
Purpose:
The purpose of this notice is to inform vessel agents of the restriction of Asian Gypsy Month [AGM] targeted vessels that are transiting directly to Baton Rouge. Also, the CBP phone and fax number for submission of vessel Ports of Call list has been updated since the issuance of the last AGM related Southern Currents.
Background:
The Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have coordinated efforts to prevent the introduction of harmful insect pests into the United States. One such pest is AGM, an extremely invasive species of moth that has not been introduced into the United States, and is not currently present in North America. This pest is destructive to the ecology, may feed on over 600 plant species, and can seriously affect U.S. agriculture and forest resources. An AGM infestation could result in the defoliation of environmentally important species. Dense populations of AGM could cause economic and environmental damage. AGM is presently known and well established in Northern China (including all ports north of 31° 15′ N latitude; north of Shanghai), Japan, South Korea, and Far East Russia. The female AGM deposits egg masses during the high risk flight season between June and September, and these egg masses are the most likely life stage to be found on vessels which have visited or transited high risk ports during the AGM high risk flight season.
An AGM find on a vessel may require that the vessel be:
- Ordered into international waters
- Required to undergo treatment
- Re-inspected
- Refused entry
Procedures:
To ensure that CBP dispatches Agriculture Specialists to conduct AGM inspections expeditiously on vessels which have visited or transited a high risk AGM port during the high risk flight season, CBP is requesting the vessel’s “Ports of Call” list prior to arrival in New Orleans which allow CBP to target vessels requiring an AGM inspection and enable Agriculture Specialists to focus on high risk vessels while facilitating the entrance of lower risk vessels.
Previously, AGM targeted vessels that were transiting directly to Baton Rouge were allowed to be inspected for the presence of AGM in Baton Rouge. CBP will now require these vessels to be,
restricted to one of the lower anchorages which will be determined by CBP. CBP will notify the vessel agent of all AGM related restrictions and will conduct the AGM inspections at the designated anchorage during daylight hours.
CBP is requesting that prior to the arrival of a vessel from foreign or coastwise in the New Orleans Tri-Port, the vessel master, agent, owner, operator or designee, fax or e-mail a copy of the vessel’s “Ports of Call” list to CBP.
- Telephone Number: (5
