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May 27, 2004

MEMORANDUM TO:
Canadian Lumber Exporters and Brokers
Canadian Grading Agencies
Canadian Wood Packaging Certification Program Participants
Regional Directors, Operation
Regional Program Officers
Network Directors
Forestry Section

SUBJECT: Forestry Phytosanitary Issues Update #8
Clarification of interim measures for the phytosanitary certification of Canadian coniferous wood products for export to the E.U., Korea and the United States

On April 15, 2004 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency met with representatives from the Canadian wood products industries (ie., lumber grading agencies, wood packaging manufacturers) to review the Canadian Heat Treatment Wood Packaging Certification Program (CHTWPCP) and the Canadian Wood Packaging Certification Program (CWPCP) to address technical issues and to clarify the status of export certification requirements for wood products, specifically conifer lumber to the EU and South Korea, markets which require heat treatment certification of conifer wood to a core temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes.

The following certification options currently apply:

Export to the European Union (E.U.)

1. Facilities registered in the CHTWPCP may ship certified conifer lumber to the E.U. under three options:

   a.	The wood may be exported accompanied by mill certificates (“Heat Treatment Certificate - Using Kiln Facility” or Heat Treatment Certificate - Using Heat Chambers), and must be accompanied by a tag or label affixed to the outside of each lumber package that states that the wood was heat treated (or “HT”); the logo of the oversight agency and the mill number or the marking kiln dried (or “KD”); or
   b.	The wood may be exported under a new E.U. derogation requiring that:
   	i. the wood bear the CFIA’s “KD-HT registered” official mark (containing a maple-leaf logo) and
   	ii. a bundle tag bearing the CFIA’s “KD-HT registered” official mark (containing a maple-leaf logo) and
   	iii. the statement: “The lumber in this consignment meets the requirements of the CHTWPCP program of Canada and the conditions laid down in Decision 2004/95/EC” on the commercial invoicing, or
   c.	Phytosanitary certificate issued by the CFIA.

2. Facilities not currently registered in the CHTWPCP but formerly registered in the Kiln Dried Lumber Program (1992) or the Canadian Heat Treatment Verification Program (1993) may export conifer lumber to the E.U. by the following methods:

   Options a or c prescribed in section 1 above.

3. New facilities not previously registered in the former (1992/93) KD and HT programs must either register in the CHTWPCP or must obtain phytosanitary certificates for export to the E.U. To obtain phytosanitary certificates the new facility must meet the same operating conditions of those registered in the CHTWPCP. For example the facility must:
    

	i. Meet the technical kiln treatment conditions as specified in the document: "Technical Heat Treatment Guidelines and Operating Conditions Manual"
	ii. Meet the specific administrative and operational requirements of the CHTWPCP.
	iii. Must be a member in good standing of a CFIA Recognized Grading Agency (under the former 1992/93 KD and HT Programs), and must be recommended by the Grading Agency for participation in the “interim” program. Qualification would be dependent on meeting the perimeters of the 1992/93 program as a minimum. Those new facilities who are granted interim acceptance by CFIA; based on the confirmed recommendation of their representative grading agency would have the ability to issue the (“Heat Treatment Certificate - Using Kiln Facility” or Heat Treatment Certificate - Using Heat Chambers), and must be accompanied by a tag or label affixed to the outside of each lumber package that states that the wood was heat treated (or “HT”); the logo of the oversight agency and the mill number or the marking kiln dried (or “KD”).

Export to South Korea

Until the new South Korean regulations are in place to recognize the CHTWPCP, the CFIA will continue to base phytosanitary certification on participation in the CHTWPCP or on the mill/exporter meeting the conditions specified in 2 or 3 above. The outside of each lumber package must contain a tag, label or a printed mark indicating that the lumber was “kiln dried”.

Export to United States (domestic use)

The United States does not require sawn lumber from Canada to be heat treated as a condition of entry.

Export to the United States (for manufacture of wood packaging for international use)

Currently, the United States certification program for wood packaging to meet the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standard is administered by the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC). In order for heat treated Canadian lumber to be recognized in the ALSC system it must meet the ALSC program standards. Information on the ALSC wood packaging materials program.

Use of Heat Treated Wood in the Canadian Wood Packaging Certification Program (CWPCP)

To ensure continued supplies of heat treated wood for certified wood packaging, as an interim measure, the CFIA will continue to recognize heat treated wood produced in the former KD or HT programs. Wood produced by facilities not registered in the CHTWPCP or originating from facilities that are not approved participants in the Kiln Dried Lumber Program or the Canadian Heat Treatment Verification Program may not be used for the production of certified wood packaging under the Canadian Wood Packaging Certification Program (CWPCP).

Export from Canada of U.S. Origin Wood

Provided the wood has been treated in a facility approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Certification program, the wood may be exported from Canada to Europe as specified above or to South Korea using a CFIA issued phytosanitary certificate.

Regards,

Marcel Dawson
A/National Manager
Forestry Section