Blueberry plants sold by Costco in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador recalled due to potential presence of a plant pest
ST. JOHN'S, Aug. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - Costco is recalling blueberry plants sold throughout June and July of 2018 at its location in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, due to the potential presence of a plant pest, blueberry maggot.
Customers should return the plants to Costco in their original pot, placed in a double bag. If plants have already been transplanted, the entire plant must be removed, including the root system and the soil that was in the original pot, and placed in a double bag. For information regarding alternate disposal and drop-off locations, please call 709-772-4424 between 8 am and 4 pm (Newfoundland Standard Time) Monday to Friday.
The plants were shipped without proper certification from Quebec, which is regulated for the presence of blueberry maggot. Blueberry maggot does not occur in Newfoundland and Labrador and may pose a risk to blueberry production if it were to be introduced into the province.
Quick facts
- Blueberry maggot was first detected in Maine and New Hampshire in 1914 and has become a significant pest of blueberries in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and southern areas of Ontario and Quebec.
- As Canada's national plant protection organization, the CFIA regulates the import, export and movement of plants within Canada. The introduction and spread of invasive pests can have negative impacts on Canada's environment and economy.
- Blueberry maggot poses no risk to human health.
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SOURCE Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
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