Abstract
In 1984 a heavyBursaphelenchus xylophilusinfestation was observed in pinewood chips imported from USA and Canada into Finland. Because there are good reasons to suppose thatB. xylophilus, if spread to pine forests in North Europe, can cause significant damage, the import of coniferous wood into Finland has been prohibited since autumn 1984. In surveysB. xylophilushas not been found in roundwood or in chips imported from European countries into Finland. Neither hasB. xylophilusbeen detected in Finnish pine trees around harbours nor in paper mills handling North American wood.