Plants > Plant Protection Policy Directives > Horticulture 

Subject

This directive contains the phytosanitary requirements for the importation of propagative and non-propagative host materials of a serious pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum (the causal organism of Sudden Oak Death).

This policy has been revised to update Appendix 4, "Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Approved Pest Free Certification Programs for (Phytophthora ramorum)", and to standardize the wording for the Additional Declaration.

Table of Contents

Review
Endorsement
Distribution
Introduction
Scope
References
Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms

1.0 General Requirements
1.1 Legislative Authority
1.2 Fees
1.3 Regulated Pests
1.4 Regulated Commodities
1.5 Commodities Exempt
1.6 Regulated Areas

2.0 Import Requirements
2.1 Soil
2.2 Plants
2.2.1 From Regulated Areas Other Than the Continental US
2.2.2 From Non-Regulated Areas of the Continental US
2.2.3 From Non-Regulated Areas of California, Oregon and Washington
2.2.4 Non-Regulated Plants From Regulated Areas of the Continental US
2.2.5 Regulated Plants from Regulated Areas of the Continental US
2.3 Non-propagative Material
2.3.1 Non-Propagative Plant Parts of Regulated Genera Including Leaves, Branches, Cut Floral Material and Cut Flowers, etc. from Non-Regulated Areas
2.3.2 Non-Propagative Plant Parts of Regulated Genera Including Leaves, Branches, Cut Floral Material and Cut Flowers, etc. from Regulated Areas
2.3.3 Wood Products with Bark From Areas Other Than the Continental US
2.3.4 Wood Products with Bark From Non-Regulated Areas of the Continental US
2.3.5 Wood Products with Bark From Regulated Areas of the Continental US
2.4 Inspection Requirements
2.5 Non-Compliance

3.0 Appendices
Appendix 1: List of Plant Genera Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)
Appendix 2: List of Areas Regulated for the Control of Phytophthora ramorum associated with Sudden Oak Death
Appendix 3: Interim requirements for import of propagative and non-propagative hosts of Phytophthora ramorum from the European Union to Canada
Appendix 4: CFIA Approved Pest Free Certification Programs for Phytophthora ramorum
Appendix 5: Approved Treatments for Non-Propagative Plant Parts of Regulated Genera Including Leaves, Branches, Cut Floral Material and Cut Flowers, etc. from Regulated Areas

Review

This directive will be reviewed every 2 years or when new pertinent information regarding the pathogen, Phytophthora ramorum is brought forth. The contact for this directive is Joanne Rousson. For further information or clarification, please contact the Horticulture Section, Plant Health Division.

Endorsement

Approved by:

Distribution

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

Introduction

Phytophthora ramorum is the organism that causes Sudden Oak Death, a serious disease of oaks and other woody and herbaceous plants. Thousands of tan oaks and other oak species have been killed by this disease in California since the mid 1990's. Mortality has also been reported in arbutus, beech, rhododendron, Vaccinium and Viburnum. These plants and others may also exhibit symptoms such as dieback, wilting, and lesions and may play an important role in the spread of the pathogen, both by natural movement in the environment and by the movement of infected plant material via the nursery trade. The disease has been detected in the landscape in Europe and the United States (US) and has also been found in nursery plants in Europe, the US and Canada.

A pest risk assessment was completed by the Plant Health Risk Assessment Unit of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in March of 2002. This assessment has concluded that if P. ramorum were introduced, the disease could have a significant impact on Canada's forest resources and landscape. The pest risk assessment indicates that plants, plant parts, soil and growing media may all play a role in the movement and dispersal of P. ramorum.

Laboratory studies have demonstrated that the disease has the capacity to spread to many oak species, including those growing in Canada. Oak and other related species are a significant component in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence and Acadian Forest Regions of Canada and are valuable as shade trees in urban areas and parks and are a critical habitat providing food and shelter for wildlife. Wood from oak trees is an important resource for the production of furniture and flooring for both use in Canada and overseas.

Rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and other ornamental hosts are important landscape plants in Canada and represent a significant portion of the total of the horticulture crops produced. The California Oak Mortality Task Force identifies rhododendron, including azalea, Pieris, Viburnum, and Kalmia as high risk nursery host plants.

Scope

This directive outlines the requirements for import of hosts and vectors of Phytophthora ramorum to Canada.

References

• ISPM No. 4, Requirements for the Establishment of Pest Free Areas, 1996, FAO, Rome;
• ISPM No. 5, Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms, 2002, FAO, Rome;
• ISPM No. 10, Requirements for the Establishment of Pest Free Places of Production and Pest Free Production Sites, 1999, FAO, Rome;
• D-95-26: Phytosanitary requirements for soil and related matter, alone or in association with plants;
• D-96-09: Plant Protection Import Requirements for Orchid Plants;
• D-96-20: Canadian Growing Media Program , prior approval process and import requirements for plants rooted in approved media;
• D-02-02: Plant protection imports requirements for rooted, or unrooted plants, plant parts, and plants in vitro for planting;
• Plant Health Risk Assessment Unit, Canadian Forest Service, 2002.
• Plant Health Risk Assessment: Sudden Oak Death, Phytophthora ramorum, 39 pp.
• Kliejunas, J., 2000. Sudden Oak Death. Phytophthora sp. Pest Risk Assessment. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, Vallejo, California, USA. 7 pp.

This directive supercedes D-01-01 (11^th Revision) dated October 18 2005.

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 visit our Fees Notice Web Site.

1.3 Regulated Pests

Phytophthora ramorum (the causal pathogen of Sudden Oak Death).

1.4 Regulated Commodities

Note: Canada regulates hosts of P. ramorum at the genus level (see Appendix 1).

All plants and plant parts of genera listed in Appendix 1, including rooted plants, branches, wreaths, greenery, cuttings and prunings, cut floral material and cut flowers.

Soil and related matter or growing media, either alone, or in association with plant material.

All non-manufactured wood products with bark of the regulated genera listed in Appendix 1, including logs, bark, bark chips, bark mulch, pulpwood and firewood.

1.5 Commodities Exempt

All wood products from which the bark has been completely removed including lumber, manufactured wood and wood packaging.

Wood chips and sawdust made from debarked logs.

Seeds and fruit.

The bark of non-host genera in association with epiphytic orchids.

1.6 Regulated Areas

A list of areas regulated for the control of Phytophthora ramorum is provided in Appendix 2.

2.0 Specific Requirements

The import requirements stipulated in this policy are specific to controlling the entry of P. ramorum ONLY. Additional import requirements may exist for other pests and/or commodities and these may be found by consulting the CFIA's website.

2.1 Soil

All soil and related matter, whether in association with plants, or alone, is prohibited entry into Canada from all countries other than the continental US.

All soil and related matter in association with plants, regardless of genera, from regulated areas of the US is regulated. To address this requirement, all non-regulated genera of plants from regulated areas of the US must meet the requirements of section 2.2.4 to be imported to Canada.

Importations of soil in bulk (without plants) from the US is prohibited.

Policy directive D-95-26, "Phytosanitary Requirements for Soil and Related Matter, Alone or in Association with Plants" provides details of the CFIA's policies relating to soil.

2.2 Plants

2.2.1 From Regulated Areas Other Than the Continental US

Canada is presently reviewing the requirements for hosts of P. ramorum from regulated areas. Interim requirements for an approved pest free certification program are provided in Appendix 3.

Until the completion of the import review, there are two interim options for import of regulated plants to Canada.

Option 1: Pest Free Certification Program (Pest free Place of Production)

A Permit to Import is required.

Regulated plants originating from a country that has implemented a Pest Free Certification Program approved by the CFIA for P. ramorum may enter Canada provided the plants have been produced in a pest free production site in accordance with the production practices specified by the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) (and approved by CFIA). Appendix 4 contains a list of countries that have a CFIA approved pest free certification program for P. ramorum in place.

The plants must be free of all growing media, soil and related matter; and

A Phytosanitary Certificate must accompany the consignment. Specific Additional Declarations for countries which have a Pest Free Certification Program approved by the CFIA are shown in Appendix 4.

Option 2: Canadian Growing Media Program (CGMP) (Pest Free Production Site)

A Permit to Import is required.

Regulated plants may enter Canada provided the plants have been produced in a pre-approved facility under the CGMP, as described in policy directive D-96-20. In addition to CGMP requirements, the NPPO must ensure that all host plant material (see Appendix 1), including mother plants at the facility are inspected for symptoms of P. ramorum at least four times per year. Any plants showing symptoms consistent with P. ramorum infection must be sampled and tested using appropriate laboratory procedures. A 400 metre pest free buffer area around the facility must be established and maintained through official annual survey conducted at the time of year when P. ramorum is likely to be active. If host material is present in the 400 metre buffer area around the facility, it is to be visually inspected and any symptomatic host material must be sampled and tested using appropriate laboratory procedures. If no symptomatic host material is detected, a composite sample of non-symptomatic host material will be officially sampled and tested.

A Phytosanitary Certificate must accompany the consignment, which indicates the name of the approved production facility and contains the following additional declarations:
"The material was produced in conformance with the Canadian Growing Media Program." and " The material in this consignment originates from a facility that is approved under the Canadian Growing Media Program and that has been inspected and found free of Phytophthora ramorum."

2.2.2 From Non-Regulated Areas of the Continental US (other than areas in California, Oregon and Washington)

A Permit to Import is not required.

Plants of regulated genera may be imported to Canada from non-regulated areas of the US

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required to accompany the consignment.

2.2.3 From Non-Regulated Areas of California, Oregon and Washington

A Permit to Import is not required.

Note: Requirements for plants that have been produced in or originating from regulated areas in California and Oregon (Appendix 2) are described in Section 2.2.4.

Shipments of plants from non-regulated areas of California, Oregon and Washington to Canada must meet the requirements specified in the USDA EMERGENCY FEDERAL ORDER RESTRICTING MOVEMENT OF NURSERY STOCK FROM CALIFORNIA, OREGON, AND WASHINGTON NURSERIES December 21, 2004 (Emergency Order).

All plants which meet the requirements of the Emergency Order for interstate shipment from California, Oregon and Washington are considered to meet the requirements for phytosanitary certification to Canada for P. ramorum.

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required to accompany the consignment.

2.2.4 Non-Regulated Plants From Regulated Areas of the Continental US

A Permit to Import is not required.

Non-regulated plants produced in a regulated area are subject to certification requirements which address requirements for soil and related matter. Non-regulated plants may enter Canada under one of the following three options:

Option 1: Free from Soil and Related Matter

The material is free of all growing media, soil and related matter; and

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required to accompany the consignment, containing the following Additional Declaration:
"The plants in this consignment are free of all growing media, soil and related matter."

Option 2: Canadian Growing Media Program (CGMP) (Pest Free Production Site)

Non-regulated plants that have been produced in a regulated area of the Continental US (Appendix 2) may also be imported from pre-approved production facilities under the conditions specified in the Canadian Growing Media Program. The conditions are described in D-96-20, Canadian Growing Media Program (CGMP), prior approval process and import requirements for plants rooted in approved media.

Option 3: Pest Free Place of Production

Regulated and non-regulated plants originating from a regulated area of the Continental US will be permitted to enter Canada provided the imported plants have been produced in a pest free production site in accordance with the production practices specified by US Department of Agriculture and approved by the CFIA.

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required to accompany the consignment, containing the following Additional Declaration:
"The plant material in this consignment has been produced in a production site free of sudden oak death disease (Phytophthora ramorum) and conforms to the USDA SOD-Free Nursery Stock Program".

2.2.5 Regulated Plants from Regulated Areas of the Continental US

Canada is presently reviewing the requirements for hosts of P. ramorum from regulated areas with completion anticipated by the fall of 2005.

Until the completion of the import review, there are two interim options for import of regulated plants to Canada.

Option 1: Pest Free Certification Program

A Permit to Import is not required.

Regulated plants originating from a regulated area of the Continental US are permitted to enter Canada provided the exported plants have been produced in a pest free production site in accordance with the production practices specified by US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and approved by the CFIA.

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required to accompany the consignment, containing the following additional declaration:
"The plant material in this consignment has been produced in a production site free of sudden oak death disease (Phytophthora ramorum) and conforms to the USDA SOD-Free Nursery Stock Program".

Option 2: Canadian Growing Media Program (CGMP)

A Permit to Import is not required.

Regulated plants may enter Canada provided the plants have been produced in a pre-approved facility under the CGMP, as described in policy directive D-96-20. In addition to CGMP requirements, USDA must assure that all host plant material (see Appendix 1), including mother plants at the facility are inspected for symptoms of P. ramorum at least four times per year. Any plants showing symptoms consistent with P. ramorum infection must be sampled and tested using appropriate laboratory procedures. A 400 metre pest free buffer area around the facility must be established and maintained through official annual survey conducted at the time of year when P. ramorum is likely to be active. If host material is present in the 400 metre buffer area around the facility, it is to be visually inspected and any symptomatic host material must be sampled and tested using appropriate laboratory procedures. If no symptomatic host material is detected, a composite sample of non-symptomatic host material will be officially sampled and tested.

A Phytosanitary Certificate must accompany the consignment, which indicates the name of the approved production facility and contains the following additional declarations:
"The material was produced in conformance with the Canadian Growing Media Program." and " The material in this consignment originates from a facility that is approved under the Canadian Growing Media Program and that has been inspected and found free of Phytophthora ramorum."

2.3 Non-propagative Material

2.3.1 Non-Propagative Plant Parts of Regulated Genera Including Leaves, Branches, Cut Floral Material and Cut Flowers, etc. from Non-Regulated Areas

A Permit to Import is not required.

Regulated non-propagative plant parts may be imported to Canada from non-regulated areas.

A Phytosanitary Certificate is not required.

2.3.2 Non-Propagative Plant Parts of Regulated Genera Including Leaves, Branches, Cut Floral Material and Cut Flowers, etc. from Regulated Areas

A Permit to Import is not required.

Regulated non-propagative material from regulated areas may be imported to Canada under one of the following two options.

Option 1: Treatment

The regulated non-propagative plant parts must have been treated in a manner that ensures that the pathogen has been eliminated. Appendix 5 contains a list of approved treatments.

Importers wishing to use alternative treatments must provide CFIA with the details of the treatment and any applicable scientific information demonstrating efficacy of the treatment.

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required to accompany the consignment, specifying the treatment been carried out.

Option 2: Pest Free Production Site

The regulated non-propagative plant parts originate from a pest free production site or pest free place of production as specified in section 2.2.1 or 2.2.4; and

A Phytosanitary Certificate must accompany the consignment, bearing the appropriate Additional Declaration as specified in section 2.2.1 or 2.2.4.

2.3.3 Wood Products with Bark From Areas Other Than the Continental US

A Permit to Import is required.

All imported non-manufactured wood products are subject to the requirements contained in other CFIA policy directives including, the most recent revisions of: D-02-12, D-98-08 and D-99-03.

2.3.4 Wood Products with Bark From Non-Regulated Areas of the Continental US

Under this policy, the importation of regulated and non-regulated non-manufactured wood products with bark from any non-regulated area of the US is not restricted unless otherwise specified (please consult www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/protect/dir/directe.shtml for additional information).

2.3.5 Wood Products with Bark From Regulated Areas of the Continental US

A Permit to Import is not required.

Untreated non-manufactured wood products with bark of the genera listed in Appendix 1, originating from regulated areas are not permitted entry to Canada.

Regulated non-manufactured wood products with bark may enter Canada provided the wood has undergone heat-treatment to achieve a minimum core temperature of 56°C for a minimum time period of 30 minutes and has a moisture content not exceeding 20%. A Phytosanitary Certificate specifying the treatment carried out must accompany the shipment.

Treatment and certification is not required for non-regulated species originating from regulated areas. Other import requirements may apply on the CFIA website.

2.4 Inspection Requirements

CFIA inspectors will verify that all documentation that accompanies shipments of regulated commodities meet the import requirements specified in Sections 2.1 to 2.3. Inspection staff will inspect shipments of propagative materials imported to Canada at a frequency specified in operational work plans. Examination of regulated propagative materials will include laboratory sampling of plant materials with symptoms indicative of P. ramorum. In addition, inspection staff will verify that non-manufactured wood products with bark have undergone heat-treatment; at a frequency established in operational work plans.

2.5 Non-Compliance

Any material found not to comply with Canada's import requirements will be ordered removed from Canada, or disposed of. In cases where a CFIA inspector has determined that it is both practically feasible and does not constitute a biological risk to introducing a pest, the non-compliant imported wood products with bark may be treated in a manner approved by the CFIA. Any costs incurred are the responsibility of the importer.

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

Notifications of non-compliance will be issued in accordance with D-01-06: Canadian Phytosanitary Policy for the Notification of Non-compliance and Emergency Action.

3.0 Appendices

Appendix 1: List of Plant Genera Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death)
Appendix 2: List of Areas Regulated for the Control of Phytophthora ramorum associated with Sudden Oak Death
Appendix 3: Interim requirements for import of propagative and non-propagative hosts of Phytophthora ramorum from the European Union to Canada
Appendix 4: CFIA Approved Pest Free Certification Programs for Phytophthora ramorum
Appendix 5: Approved Treatments for Non-Propagative Plant Parts of Regulated Genera Including Leaves, Branches, Cut Floral Material and Cut Flowers, etc. from Regulated Areas

Appendix 1

List of Plant Genera Regulated for Phytophthora ramorum
(Sudden Oak Death)

NOTE: An importer/exporter can obtain the current list of P. ramorum (Sudden Oak Death) regulated plant genera from their local CFIA Office or through D-01-01 which can be found on the CFIA website.

Appendix 2

List of Areas Regulated for the Control of Phytophthora ramorum
Associated with Sudden Oak Death

NOTE: An importer/exporter can obtain the current list of P. ramorum (Sudden Oak Death) regulated areas from their local CFIA Office or through D-01-01 which can be found on the CFIA website.

Appendix 3

Interim requirements for import of propagative and non-propagative hosts of
Phytophthora ramorum from the European Union to Canada

The following outlines the process for countries from the European Union (EU) wishing to obtain approval for import to Canada of propagative and non-propagative material known to be a host of Phytophthora ramorum.

Note that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is currently undertaking an in-depth review of requirements for import, export and domestic movement of P. ramorum host material, expected by the fall of 2005. This process will start by establishing minimum standards for movement of P. ramorum host material which will be applied to quarantine areas and to imports from any other area where P. ramorum is know to occur.

Note that the CFIA regulates host plants of P. ramorum at the genus level. A current list of regulated genera is provided in Appendix 1 of this policy document.

Countries wishing to ship host material for P. ramorum to Canada must develop a CFIA-approved pest free certification program. This program will specify the requirements for development and maintenance of a pest free production site as specified by the National Plant Protection Organization of the country wishing to export to Canada.

The pest free certification program should include measures which meet the requirements for the establishment of Pest Free Places of Production and Pest Free Production Sites described in ISPM No. 10. The CFIA will review certification programs in relation to this standard. Countries may use ISPM No. 10, Requirements for the Establishment of Pest Free Places of Production and Pest Free Production Sites for guidance in the design of the CFIA approved pest free certification program.

The program should address the following;

• systems to establish pest freedom
• establishment and maintenance of an appropriate buffer zone.
• systems to maintain pest freedom
• verification that pest freedom has been attained or maintained
• product identity, consignment integrity and phytosanitary security.

The program should include at minimum;

• mandatory laboratory confirmation of the pest free status of the facility.
• regulated propagative material presented for export to Canada must be demonstrated to only have been grown, propagated, handled, held or stored in a pest free production site under the control of a CFIA approved recognized pest free certification program, ie. water, soil, planting media and other materials coming into contact with propagative material must be tested.

Appendix 4

CFIA Approved Pest Free Certification Programs for Phytophthora ramorum

NOTE: An importer/exporter can obtain the current list of CFIA Approved Pest Free Certification Programs for Phytophthora ramorum from their local CFIA Office or through D-01-01 which can be found on the CFIA website.

Appendix 5

Approved Treatments for Non-Propagative Plant Parts of Regulated Genera Including Leaves,
Branches, Cut Floral Material and Cut Flowers, etc. from Regulated Areas

At this time the only treatment known to be effective is by immersing the plant parts in water and holding at a temperature of 71°C for a minimum of 1 hour. The CFIA may approve other treatments provided the importer or foreign NPPO can provide scientific information that verifies the treatment's efficacy. Importers wishing to use alternative treatments should provide the details of treatment and any applicable scientific information regarding treatment.