D-04-03

File

SUBJECT

This policy directive is based on the International Plant Protection Convention’s International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 17, Pest Reporting.

This directive describes the CFIA’s procedure for reporting the occurrence, outbreak or spread of plant pests that may be of immediate or potential danger to Canada, its neighbour, or countries to which it exports. The directive also sets out who may send the reports, to whom the reports should be sent, the means of communicating the reports, and the format to be used for reporting.

Note: the reporting of pests intercepted in consignments imported to Canada is described in D-01-06, Canadian phytosanitary policy for the notification of non-compliance and emergency action.

Table of Contents

Review

Endorsement

Amendment Record

Distribution

1.0 Requirements
1.1 Legislative Authority
1.2 Types of pest situations to be reported internationally
1.3 Timing of reporting
1.4 Composition and distribution of reports

2.0 Appendice
Appendix 1: Format to be used for pest reports issued by the CFIA

Review

This directive will be reviewed every 5 years unless otherwise needed. The next review date for this directive is January 25, 2009. For further information or clarification, please contact the International Standards Adviser Plant Health Division.

Endorsement

Approved by:

Amendment Record

Amendments to this directive will be dated and distributed as outlined in the distribution below.

Distribution

1. Directive mail list (Regions, PHRA, USDA)
2. Provincial Government, Industry (via Regions)
3. National Industry Organizations (determined by Author)
4. Internet

Introduction

The New Revised Text (1997) of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) states that contracting parties to the IPPC shall cooperate in the exchange of information on plant pests, particularly the reporting of the occurrence, outbreak or spread of pests that may be of immediate or potential danger.

On March 15, 2002, the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures adopted International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 17, Pest reporting. ISPM No. 17 describes the responsibilities of, and requirements for, contracting parties in reporting the occurrence, outbreak and spread of pests in areas for which they are responsible. It also provides guidance on reporting successful eradication of pests and establishment of Pest Free Areas. This directive outlines the Canadian policy for pest reporting in accordance with ISPM No. 17.

The North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) has also pursued initiatives to facilitate pest reporting. Therefore, in addition to fulfilling reporting obligations under the IPPC, this policy directive includes pest reporting aspects as part of Canada’s NAPPO commitments.

Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms

1.0 Requirements

1.1 Legislative Authority

The Plant Protection Act, s.c. 1990, c. 22
The Plant Protection Regulations, SOR/95-212
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice, Canada Gazette, Part 1 (05/13/2000)

1.2 Types of pest situations to be reported internationally

The IPPC requires countries that are contracting parties to the IPPC to report pests which represent immediate or potential danger (elaborated on further in ISPM No. 17, Pest Reporting). This status is described as the occurrence, outbreak or spread of a pest that is a quarantine pest in the country in which it is detected, or a quarantine pest for neighbouring countries and trading partners. Although the standard also contains provisions for reports of successful eradication of pests, and the establishment of pest free areas, reporting of these situations is not an obligation, and will not be dealt with by this directive.

Pest reports must be prepared and issued for the following three pest situations:

• Occurrence (i.e., when the presence of a new quarantine pest in an area of Canada is detected)

• Outbreak (specifically, of a recently detected quarantine pest population, where the pest is expected to survive for the immediate future, even if the pest is not expected to establish)

• Spread (of a quarantine pest regulated by Canada, or by our trading partners or neighbours, which results in a significant increase in risk)

  It should be noted that the reporting of pests intercepted in imported consignments and prevented from entering Canada is dealt with by D-01-06, Canadian phytosanitary policy for the notification of non-compliance and emergency action.

1.3 Timing of reporting

Pest reports should be prepared and distributed in a timely manner, without undue delay, after awareness has been gained of the occurrence, outbreak or spread of a quarantine pest. Delays due to the operation of surveillance and associated reporting procedures, and necessary verification and analysis, should be kept to the minimum, particularly where the risk of pest spread is high. To facilitate prompt reporting, preliminary reports which contain only partial information may be issued, pending issuance of a full report once all information is obtained.

1.4 Composition and distribution of reports

1.4.1 Responsibility for writing and issuing the report

The Director of the Plant Health Division is responsible for ensuring that pest reports are prepared and issued. Pest reports must be signed by the Director of the Plant Health Division before being distributed.

1.4.2 Information to appear in the report

A template for pest reporting is provided in Appendix 1. Each pest report must provide the following information:

• The identity of the pest by its scientific name (where possible, to the species level, and below species level if known and relevant);
• The date the pest was detected in Canada;
• The date that the report is issued by the CFIA;
• Host(s) or articles concerned (as appropriate). This should include clear identification of any and all commodities potentially affected by the pest in Canada;
• The status of the pest in Canada. ISPM No. 8, Determination of pest status in an area, should be referred to in order to select the appropriate description;
• Geographical distribution of the pest in Canada. A map should be provided if appropriate;
• A description of the regulatory status of the pest in Canada. This information should also include an indication of whether the pest is under control in Canada.

If all the required information on the pest situation being reported is not immediately available, then a preliminary report should be made and updates issued as further information becomes available. In all cases, the pest report must indicate whether it is:

• a preliminary report (with further information to come);
• an update to a previous preliminary report; or,
• a complete report (with all required information provided and no further updates anticipated).

Optional information for the pest report includes an indication of whether the situation is considered to be an occurrence, an outbreak, or spread of the pest. The pest report may also include a description of any phytosanitary measures applied or required, as well as a description of their purpose. In addition, other information as indicated for pest records in ISPM No. 8, Determination of pest status in an area may be provided. This optional information may be very beneficial in outlining the degree of control being exercised –and, therefore, a partial measure of the degree of risk presented to trading partners– and it is recommended that this optional information be provided whenever possible.

1.4.3 Communication of the pest report

The official pest report is posted on the “Official Plant Pest Reports” page of the CFIA’s web site as soon as possible after it is signed by the Director of the Plant Health Division.

A link to each pest report is also posted on the NAPPO “Phytosanitary Alert” web site (procedure described below). Introductory paragraph text should be provided which contains basic information from the pest report itself (at minimum: name of pest, date of new situation being reported, and location). This introductory text should conclude with a sentence stating “For further information, please consult the web site of CFIA’s official pest report.

Hard copies of all original pest reports signed by the Director will be retained on file by the Plant Health Division.

1.4.3.1 Posting on NAPPO Phytosanitary Alert System web site

Each pest report should be provided to one of the Canadian representatives of the NAPPO Phytosanitary Alert Panel immediately after being signed by the Director of the Plant Health Division, to be posted on the Phytosanitary Alert site. On those occasions when the Canadian representatives of the NAPPO Phytosanitary Alert Panel are absent, the International Standards Adviser, Plant Health Division, or another staff member nominated by the Director of the Plant Health Division, may post the reports on the Phytosanitary Alert web site.

2.0 Appendice

Appendix 1 - Format to be used for pest reports issued by the CFIA

Appendix 1

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Plant Products Directorate
Plant Health Division

OFFICIAL PEST REPORT - PRELIMINARY / UPDATE / COMPLETE

[delete as appropriate; if an update, clarify whether first, second, etc., update]

Required Information | Optional Information