OTTAWA, June 24, 2009 - The Government of Canada today announced amendments to the Weed Seeds Order that reclassify Giant foxtail from a Class 1 Prohibited Noxious weed species to a Class 2 Primary Noxious. Giant foxtail (Setaria faberi) was previously classified as a Class 1 Prohibited Noxious weed species but was too widespread to fit the definition of Class 1. Reclassification to Class 2 will help to curtail the spread of Giant foxtail.
The reclassification is based on broad CFIA consultations with key stakeholders such as researchers, weed specialists and growers who supported the Agency's decision to proceed.
The amendments to the Weed Seeds Order were published on June 24, 2009 in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
Class 2 Primary Noxious weed species have the potential to be serious weeds in at least a part of Canada, are either native to Canada or have reached the limits of their ecological range, and would be difficult to eradicate or control by good agricultural practices once established in cultivated fields. As Giant foxtail is an annual plant, it does well in crop fields. It is a major pest in soybean, alfalfa, potato, corn, sunflower, tomato, peach and grapevine.
For more information on the amendments to the Weed Seeds Order as published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, visit the CFIA Web site at www.inspection.gc.ca or call 1-800-442-2342.
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Canadian Food Inspection Agency
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