Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) – 2018 Flying Season Starts (Revised) 5 March 2018 No.946 Download PDF (317KB) (Revised the regulation information in Chile.) Asian gypsy moth (AGM) is a serious forest pest prevalent in some seaport areas in East Asia including Japan, Russia and so on. If introduced in countries where it does not exist naturally, AGM would have significant impacts on their agriculture and the natural environment. AGM can spread via ocean-going vessels and container cargos in international trade. To minimize the risk of AGM incursion, regulators in countries free from AGM work to mitigate the risk of AGM spreading in collaboration closely with shipping industries. In these circumstances, the United States (US), Canada, Chile, New Zealand and Australia have implemented measures, such as pre-arrival inspections and submission of required AGM documentation, for vessels calling from high risk AGM areas during specific period of the years to prevent AGM being carried to their countries. Here is a summary of the requirements for 2018 AGM flying season set forth by the  above-mentioned regulating countries, for which Members should take note that there are still  differences between each regulator.  The United States (US) and Canada Vessels, having called ports in Far East Russia, Japan, Korea and Northern China during the AGM flight season in the past 24 months, must arrive in North America ports free from AGM and with required pre-departure certification, which should be obtained at the final calling port of the infected areas. For more details, please find the attached “ 2018 USDA-CFIA Joint AGM Pre-Season Bulletin ”. Chile Vessels, having called ports in AGM regulated areas during AGM flight season in the past 24 months, arrive with required pre-departure certification. The government has defined the AGM regulated area as East Russia, Japan, Korea and China. ※With reference to the details of AGM regulation in Chile, we issued our Japan P&I News