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Plants > Plant Protection Policy Directives > Horticulture 

Review

This directive will be reviewed every 5 years unless otherwise needed. The next review date for this directive is January 17, 2008. The contact for this directive is Joanne Rousson. For further information or clarification, please contact the Horticulture Section.

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 Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regulates the importation of flower bulbs to Canada because of plant pests that could be associated with the flower bulbs. Flower bulbs purchased as souvenirs are popular with travellers coming from The Netherlands. In order to facilitate the importation of small quantities of pre-packaged flower bulbs, a new certification procedure was developed jointly by Canada, the U.S. and The Netherlands. This system uses a common sticker, issued by the National Plant Protection Organization of The Netherlands - Plantenziektenkundige Dienst (PD), for packages of flower bulbs that comply with the regulations of both Canada and the U.S. The requirements for the entry to Canada of these packages are specified in this directive.

1. General 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 Fees

The CFIA is charging fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. For information regarding fees associated with imported product, please contact the Import Service Centres (ISC) at the following phone numbers: Eastern ISC 1-877-493-0468; Central ISC 1-800-835-4486; Western ISC 1-888-732-6222. Anyone requiring other information regarding fees may contact any local CFIA office.

1.3 Regulated pests

This list is not inclusive and is subject to change. Any other pest found during an inspection and included in the List of Pests Regulated by Canada, or any which are exotic and of potential economic importance to Canada, may be subject to phytosanitary measures.

1.4 Regulated Commodities & Commodities Exempt

Bulb packages, i.e. small retail packages of dry flower bulbs for personal use (non-commercial), excluding Allium spp.

NOTE: Mail and courier importations of packages of flower bulbs and bulk or commercial shipments of flower bulbs are regulated in other policies and must meet the standard import requirements.

NOTE: Only flower bulbs packaged in retail packages will be allowed entry into the program; loose bulbs are not allowed.

1.5 Regulated Areas

The Netherlands

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Import Requirements

2.1.1 Packages of flower bulbs approved for entry from The Netherlands into Canada must meet the following conditions:

• The flower bulbs were grown in or imported to The Netherlands and were found free from regulated pests. Bulbs imported into Holland that are eventually imported to Canada must meet Canadian requirements, including soil pest declarations on the original Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the country of origin.

• For re-exports the country of origin and the original Phytosanitary Certificate number must be filled in on the Certificate of Inspection sticker.

• Flower bulbs must be free of soil and related material (eg. clay, silt, sand, gravel, rock, soil minerals, humus, compost, manure, muck, and plant litter) as soil, sand and related material are prohibited from The Netherlands to Canada. The flower bulbs must originate from areas free from regulated pests of Canada.

• When the flower bulbs are shipped in packing material, the packing material is of the type approved by the CFIA (as per policy directive D-02-02). Materials used for packaging and shipping the plants must be clean (i.e. not previously used).

• The botanical name (genus and species) of the flower bulbs contained in the package must be written in on the Certificate of Inspection sticker. If the contents are a mix of flower bulbs a separate content sticker indicating the botanical name of all the varieties of packaged bulbs and the country of origin (ISO code) must also be used. The Certificate of Inspection sticker must partially cover this separate content sticker.

• The packages of flower bulbs must accompany the traveller at the time of entry as part of baggage or personal effects.

2.1.2 Required Documentation

• A Permit to Import is not required.

2.2 Inspection Requirements

All packages of flower bulbs are subject to inspection upon arrival at the first port of entry in Canada to determine if regulated pests are present and to verify the documents. The packages of flower bulbs must accompany the traveller at the time of entry, in baggage or as part of personal effects. Shipments sent by mail are not included under this program. It is the traveller’s responsibility to declare their possession of the flower bulbs on Canada Customs and Revenue Agency forms when entering Canada. The cost of inspection is the responsibility of the traveller.

CFIA inspectors should:

1. Verify that a Certificate of Inspection, in the form of a sticker is properly attached to the package, as appropriate;
   
2. Examine the package(s) for freedom from pests, soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris (including small potato tubers);
   
3. Take specimens of any pests found and submit them for identification, according to the instructions in the Plant Protection Import Inspection Manual.

2.3 Non-Compliance

Packages of flower bulbs will be refused entry and disposed of if they do not meet all requirements, or are found to be contaminated with soil or infested with any regulated pests of concern. The importer is responsible for any and all costs relating to disposal, removal, and other costs incurred by the CFIA. The CFIA reserves the right to audit, in The Netherlands, the packages of flower bulbs certified under this policy as well as all related paperwork.

3. Appendice

Appendix 1 - Certification of Inspection Sticker

Appendix 1

CERTIFICATION OF INSPECTION STICKER

Note: On an original sticker the stamp is silver, but if photocopied it appears black, as shown.

Descriptive Characteristics

Throughout the background of most of the sticker PLANTENZIEKTENKUNDIGEDIENST is written horizontally in light green,

AND

In order to prevent tampering, small PD logo’s are imprinted on the sticker, which will cause the sticker to tear apart if one tries to remove the sticker from its original placement.

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