Regulated area expanded for plum pox virus in the Niagara Region

February 24, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has expanded the current regulated area for plum pox virus (PPV) in Ontario's Niagara region to prevent this plant disease from spreading further and to safeguard the region's tender fruit trees and associated industries. There are no human health or food safety risks associated with this disease.

This decision follows confirmed detections of the virus within 1 kilometre of the existing PPV regulated area. In accordance with international standards, the regulated area has been expanded by 2.5 kilometres to effectively manage the disease.

It is prohibited to move potentially infested materials, including regulated species of budwood (i.e. young branches with buds) and young plants grown in nursery (i.e. nursery stock), out of the regulated area. It is also prohibited to propagate regulated plant material within the regulated area. The CFIA will maintain its annual surveillance and monitoring activities in this area to prevent the further spread of the plum pox virus.

The continued regulation of PPV by the CFIA is required to maintain market access to the United States for Canadian fruit tree nursery stock produced outside the PPV infested place and to protect non-infested areas of Canada.

For more information on plum pox virus, including a updated map of the regulated area, please visit our website.

Quick Facts

• Plum pox virus infects fruits species of the genus Prunus including peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and almonds and ornamental varieties. It is a serious threat to Canada's tender fruit, fruit processing and nursery industries.
• There is no treatment for PPV. Once a tree has become infected, the most effective way to prevent spread and to destroy the virus is to remove the tree and its root system.
• The virus was first detected in Nova Scotia and Ontario in 2000. It has since been eradicated from Nova Scotia. The only remaining regulated area is in Ontario's Niagara region.
• This recent case is the first confirmed positive since 2013. The findings are a part of the CFIA's plum pox monitoring and management program established in 2011.

Related links

• Plum pox virus
• Plum Pox Virus Infested Place Order