Plants > Plant Protection Policy Directives > Horticulture 

Subject

This directive provides the plant protection (phytosanitary) requirements that permit the importation of fresh cherries from Spain. As with other fresh fruit from new sources, importation is subject to a trial period.

The number of shipments of fresh cherries from Spain required to complete the trial importation period is being decreased from 15 to 8, while the duration of the trial importation period will continue to be two years. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) feels that this still allows for an evaluation of the ability of exporters from Spain to routinely meet CFIA requirements, when considered in addition to the detailed evaluation by CFIA of the Spanish Management Program.

Table of Contents

Review
Endorsement
Amendment Record
Distribution
Introduction
Scope
References
Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms

1.0 General Requirements
1.1 Legislative Authority
1.2 Fees

2.0 Specific Requirement
2.1 Regulated Commodities
2.2 Exempt Commodities
2.3 Regulated Pests
2.4 Regulated Areas

3.0 Import Requirements
3.1 Pre-Shipment Conditions
3.2. Permit To Import
3.3 Phytosanitary Certificate

4.0 Inspection Procedures

5.0 Non-Compliance

6.0 Other Requirements

7.0 Trial Importations

8.0 Appendices
Appendix 1: Pest Management Program for Cherries from Spain
Appendix 2: Post-harvest treatments

Review

This directive will be reviewed every year. The next review date for this directive is March 29, 2007. The contact for this directive 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

A request from a Canadian importer was received by the CFIA to import cherries from Spain. The current directive was developed in cooperation with the Spanish National Plant Protection Organization.

Scope

This directive is intended for the use of the CFIA inspection staff and Canada Border Services Agency in order to outline the necessary requirements and inspection procedures for the importation of cherries from Spain. It is also intended for use, by those wishing to import cherries from Spain, as a guide to the necessary steps involved in getting approval by the CFIA to do so.

Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms

1.0 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 or CFIA's website.

2.0 Specific Requirement

2.1 Regulated Commodities

All varieties of fresh cherries.

2.2 Exempt Commodities

Dried, processed or frozen fruit.

2.3 Regulated Pests

* for shipments destined to the province of British Columbia only

Note: Cydia pomonella may be regulated to the province of British Columbia in the future, if that province develops programs to eradicate and to prevent the spread of the pest within the province.

The above is a list of the quarantine pests considered most likely to be found on cherries imported from Spain. This list does not include all quarantine pests. Quarantine action will be taken when any quarantine pest is intercepted.

2.4 Regulated Areas

Spain

3.0 Import Requirements

Shipments must be free from soil, sand, leaves, plant debris and meet the following conditions

3.1 Pre-Shipment Conditions

Cherries must have been produced in Spain and meet the requirements of one of the following pre-shipment options:

Option A: Pest Management Program for Export of Cherries to Canada

Cherries must be produced, stored, and packed according to the requirements of Sanidad Vegetal's official program for export of cherries to Canada. Under this program, cherries must originate from growers approved by Sanidad Vegetal to export cherries to Canada and who have complied with all the requirements for monitoring and control of the "Regulated Pests". The cherries must be stored and packed by facilities approved by Sanidad Vegetal for handling cherries for export to Canada. Fruit must also be sampled and inspected according to specified procedures.

The program is outlined in Appendix 1. Detailed information on the program is kept on file by the CFIA and updates to the program will be provided on a regular basis to the CFIA by Sanidad Vegetal.

Although the program is established and monitored in each province of Spain by the Comunidades Autónomas, all aspects of the program are audited by Sanidad Vegetal and are under the authority of Sanidad Vegetal.

OR

Option B: Post-harvest Treatment

3.2. Permit To Import

A Permit to Import issued under the Plant Protection Regulations is required during the trial importation period.

3.3 Phytosanitary Certificate

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required. This document must be issued by the Sanidad Vegetal within 14 days prior to shipment. The original Phytosanitary Certificate must accompany the cherries to Canada. During the trial importation period, a copy must be faxed to the CFIA office at point of destination prior to arrival of the shipment in Canada.

Under the program developed by Sanidad Vegetal, a Phytosanitary Certificate will only be issued if Sanidad Vegetal has been provided a certificate of producer compliance indicating the producer has met the requirements under the pest management program (Section 3.1 Option A) or a certificate of post-harvest treatment indicating the required post-harvest treatment has been carried out (Section 3.1 Option B). These certificates are issued by the Comunidades Autónomas.

The Phytosanitary Certificate must bear one of the following additional declarations:

For shipments destined to the province of British Columbia:

"The material was produced under an official pest management program and is free of Adoxophyes orana, Cydia funebrana, Grapholita molesta, Monilinia fructigena, Rhagoletis cerasi, and Tetranychus viennensis.

OR

Details of the post-harvest treatment (see Appendix 2) must be provided on the Phytosanitary Certificate.

For shipments destined to provinces other than British Columbia:

"The material was produced under an official pest management program and is free of Adoxophyes orana, Cydia funebrana, Monilinia fructigena, Rhagoletis cerasi, and Tetranychus viennensis.

OR

Details of the post-harvest treatment (see Appendix 2) must be provided on the Phytosanitary Certificate.

4.0 Inspection Procedures

Shipments arriving in Canada are subject to the following procedures:

Shipments will be subject to inspection and sampling on arrival to determine if pests are present. During the trial period, 100% of the shipments will normally be inspected. After successful completion of the trial period, the percentage of shipments inspected will be reduced. When a shipment is inspected, a representative sample of 5% of the contents will be randomly selected, and examined. If pests are found, samples will be sent for laboratory identification, and the shipment will be detained pending the results. If pests are not found in the initial 5% sample, but there is evidence of pest activity, eg presence of frass, a further sample may be randomly selected and examined.

CFIA inspectors should:

5.0 Non-Compliance

Shipments must meet all requirements when they reach first point of arrival in Canada.

Shipments found infested with pests will be held pending laboratory identification. Shipments will be refused entry and returned to origin or disposed of if they do not meet requirements or if they are found to be infested with any quarantine pests. If requested by the importer, and determined feasible by the inspector, such shipments may be rerouted to other destinations, or diverted to approved processing or treatment facilities, provided such a course of action does not cause unwarranted pest risk. Shipments arriving in British Columbia and found infested with Oriental fruit moth may be rerouted to another province of Canada under condition that such material cannot re-enter British Columbia without treatment against Oriental fruit moth.

The importer is responsible for any and all costs relating to disposal, removal, rerouting treatment or diversion to processing facilities, including costs incurred by the CFIA to monitor the action taken.

The Plant Health  Division of CFIA will advise Sanidad Vegetal of Spain of any pest interceptions or of non-compliance with any conditions outlined in this directive. The discovery of quarantine pests during inspection in Canada or non-compliance may result in suspension of the importation program until remedial action is taken at origin.

6.0 Other Requirements

Other Canadian import requirements, which are in addition to those stated above, include:

It is the importer's responsibility to know and satisfy these requirements.

Questions and requests for information on any requirements should be directed to local offices of CFIA.

7.0 Trial Importations

The trial importation period is required in order to evaluate the ability of the exporting country to meet requirements under varying conditions over a period of time.

Advance notification of the arrival of the shipment is required in order to provide adequate time to arrange for inspection. A copy of the Phytosanitary Certificate must be sent by Sanidad Vegetal by facsimile to the CFIA office at the point of destination prior to the arrival of the shipment. Normally, the copy is required three days prior to the arrival of the shipment in Canada. However, 24 hour notice will usually be acceptable if shipments are sent by air to international airports at Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. Importers are requested to advise the CFIA office at the point of destination with details on anticipated time of arrival, airline flight numbers, etc

The original Phytosanitary Certificate must accompany the shipment and is required for release. All shipments must be routed through one of the 3 Canadian Import Service Centres (ISC) for release. Upon release, the ISC will immediately notify the inland office of the arrival of the shipment.

The trial period will be concluded after the CFIA is satisfied shipments of cherries from Spain can routinely meet CFIA requirements. A minimum of two years (seasons), and 8 shipments, in total, is required. The trial period may be extended to 5 years, if additional time is required by Spain to meet the minimum 8 shipment requirement. The exact length of time of the trial period will depend on the number of shipments received, and the degree of compliance.

8.0 Appendices

Appendix 1: Pest Management Program for Cherries from Spain
Appendix 2: Post-harvest treatments

Appendix 1

Pest Management Program for Cherries from Spain

This appendix provides an outline of Sanidad Vegetal's pest management program for export of cherries to Canada. Detailed information on the requirements of the program are provided in the document provided by Sanidad Vegetal and on file at the CFIA. Sanidad Vegetal will advise the CFIA of any changes to the program in a timely manner.

Approval of Growers (Producers)

Growers must be approved for participation in the program for export of cherries to Canada by Sanidad Vegetal. Approval will be given at the beginning of each growing season to growers who have agreed to implement the requirements of the official pest monitoring and control program. Each grower will have an identification number. A list of approved growers, called the Official Registry of Cherry Producers for Export to Canada, will be maintained by Sanidad Vegetal, The list will be provided to the CFIA at the beginning of the shipping season. Sanidad Vegetal will promptly remove from the list any grower who fails to comply with the program and advise the CFIA in a timely manner.

Pest Monitoring and Control Program

The Comunidades Autónomas, under the supervision of Sanidad Vegetal, establish the pest monitoring and control program to be followed by the approved growers in each province. Approved growers follow the program, using technical assistance provided by Comunidades Autónomas. Growers keep detailed records of the pest monitoring and control measures taken for each orchard, eg dates and methods of monitoring, pests observed, controls applied, etc. Compliance to the program is monitored and recorded on a regular basis by the Comunidades Autónomas. The program is also audited by Sanidad Vegetal.

Packing and Storage

The fruit must be packed and stored in a facility which is approved by Sanidad Vegetal for handling cherries for export to Canada and is clean and maintained free of quarantine pests, soil, plant debris and discarded or infested fruit. The identity of the fruit as fruit destined for export to Canada must be maintained. It must be kept separate from fruit which does not meet the Canadian requirements. The identity of each lot will be maintained. The fruit must be packed in boxes for export to Canada, with the grower name/number code marked on the box.

Individual grower lots should be identifiable in order to facilitate inspection, identify growers with problems and minimize losses to the importer/exporter should pests be found.

The cherries must be safeguarded from contamination from pests originating in orchards or other crops in the vicinity during packing, loading, and transportation.

Sampling and Inspection Procedures

Each lot will be sampled for "Regulated Pests". Grower lots found infested with regulated pests must be rejected for shipment to Canada, and the orchard from which it originated will not be permitted to ship to Canada for the remainder of the season. A random sample of at least 200 fruits will be taken from each lot. Fruits suspected of being infested will be selected for laboratory diagnosis, with a minimum of 100 fruits selected for each lot.

Phytosanitary Certification

A Phytosanitary Certificate will be issued by Sanidad Vegetal for shipments of cherries produced under the pest management option only if a recent certificate of producer compliance has been issued by the Comunidades Autónomas to an inspector of Sanidad Vegetal.

Auditing of Program by Sanidad Vegetal

All aspects of the program will be audited by the Sanidad Vegetal, including inspections of the orchards and packing houses. Sanidad Vegetal will provide information on the status of the program to the CFIA upon request.

Appendix 2

Post-harvest treatments

a) Methyl bromide fumigation (for insects and mites)

b) Treatment with sodium hypochlorite (for Monilinia fructigena)

Treatment with sodium hypochlorite using a "hydrocooling" rain system with dosages of 20 to 100 ppm available chlorine for a minimum of 8 minutes.

Any treatments other than a) or b) above must be approved in advance by the CFIA, i.e. prior to shipping. Information and supporting documentation must be provided.

A Phytosanitary Certificate will be issued by Sanidad Vegetal for shipments of cherries being shipped under the post-harvest treatment option only if the exporter provides an inspector of Sanidad Vegetal with a certificate of post-harvest treatment issued by Comunidades Autónomas.