New export requirements for cedar wood to the United Kingdom

The following is provided by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

As of January 30, 2025, the United Kingdom (UK) will implement new requirements for cedar wood (Thuja spp.) to prevent the entry of Heterobasidionirregulare (Annosus root and butt rot) which is present in Canada.

Cedar wood will have to be heat treated to 56 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes (core temperature) and accompanied with a phytosanitary certificate in order to be exported to the UK. Untreated and bark free, or kiln dried cedar wood will not be accepted.

Other regulated coniferous species for this pest will not be affected as they are regulated for pine wood nematode and already require heat treatment to 56 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes (core temperature). The list of regulated species is as follows:

Abies spp., Calocedrusdecurrens, Juniperus spp., Larix spp., Picea spp., Pinus spp., Pseudotsuga menziesii and Thuja spp.

If you need further information, please contact your local CFIA office.