Canada Updates Timeline for Implementing New Import Requirements for European Grapevine Moth Host Materials

Canada Updates Timeline for Implementing New Import Requirements for European Grapevine Moth Host Materials

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released on June 20, 2016, an updated timeline for implementing new import requirements for European grapevine moth (EGVM, Lobesia botrana) host materials. According to the new timeline, the import requirements for all regulated fruits (other than kiwi) will go into effect on July 4, 2016. To allow stakeholders time to implement the changes, CFIA will accept shipments that meet either the previous or the new import requirements for two weeks following the July 4 effective date. Beginning July 18, 2016, CFIA will only accept shipments of regulated fruits (other than kiwi) that meet the new requirements.

New import requirements for plants for planting and other regulated commodities including kiwi fruit will be delayed until the fall of 2016. The exact date has yet to be determined.

New requirements for grapes and blueberries from all locations went into effect on April 11, 2016.

The new import requirements should have minimal impact on exports of EGVM host materials to Canada that originate from the United States. CFIA will recognize EGVM regulated areas and EGVM host material movement requirements described in U.S. regulations.

The new import requirements will primarily affect shipments of regulated host material that originate from EGVM-infested countries. Those shipments will have to meet one of three requirements: fumigation; production in a CFIA-approved pest free area; or production under a CFIA-approved systems approach.

Regulated host material from an EGVM-infested country that enters Canada via the United States or a third country must also meet Canada’s country of origin requirements and be accompanied by either:

• A re-export phytosanitary certificate issued by the re-exporting country that is attached to the original phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin; or
• A phytosanitary certificate issued by the re-exporting country.

In addition, bonded shipments destined to Canada that are fumigated in the United States must have a USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) “Treated and Released” stamp applied to a certified copy of the phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin.

For further information on these requirements and the updated timeline, refer to CFIA’s directive D-13-03 (Phytosanitary import requirements to prevent the introduction of Lobesia botrana, the European grapevine moth). The new requirements will be reflected in the CFIA Automated Import Reference System.

Please contact PPQ Export Specialist Terrance Wells at terrance.d.wells@aphis.usda.gov if you have questions.