Plants >
Horticulture
Importation of Pears from the Shandong province, China
Asian Pears
On January 28 and February 17, 2004, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(CFIA) suspended the
importation of all pears (Ya and Asian varieties) from the provinces of Hebei
and Shandong, respectively, due to interceptions of an exotic fungal disease
(Alternaria sp.) In early September, a delegation from CFIA travelled to China to exchange
scientific information on this organism. Based on the observations of the CFIA delegation in China and
additional information provided by the Chinese government, the CFIA has concluded that the
importation of the Asian variety of pears represent a low risk for the entry of
the fungal disease into Canada. The CFIA has
decided to remove the suspension on Asian pears from China and updated its
import policy to formalize the removal. The CFIA will
continue to inspect shipments for quarantine pests, including the fungal
disease. - Canadian importers need to hold a Permit to Import for Asian pears.
Ya Pears
To address the Alternaria sp. situation on Ya pears (Pyrus bretscheideri), AQSIQ developed a Quality Management System (QMS) which had to be audited by CFIA in September, 2005.
Results of the audit indicated that Ya pears from Shandong province only could resume, under a one year trial period, starting December 1st, 2005.
Prohibition on Ya pears imports from Hebei is maintained until CFIA is satisfied that appropriate corrective actions are put into place in the orchards and packing houses. - The CFIA will start issuing import permits on December 1st. Therefore Ya pears shipments cannot leave China before Canadian importers obtain their import permit.
|
