Plants > Plant Protection Policy Directives > Horticulture 

Subject

Phytosanitary certification of exports of alfalfa seed to European Union countries.

Table of Contents

Review
Endorsement
Amendment Record
Distribution
Scope
References

1.0 General Requirements
1.1 Legislative Authority
1.2 Fees
1.3 Regulated pests 1.4 Regulated Commodities

2.0 Specific Export Requirements
2.1 Certified (pedigreed) seed of varieties highly resistant to bacterial wilt
2.2 Certified (pedigreed) seed of varieties that are not highly resistant to bacterial wilt and common alfalfa seed
2.3 Inspection requirements
2.4 Phytosanitary certification

Review

This directive will be reviewed if/when the E.U. will change the import regulations for alfalfa seed unless otherwise needed. The contact for this directive is Joanne Rousson. For further information or clarification, please contact the Export/Import Section.

Endorsement

Approved by:

Amendment Record

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

Distribution

1. Directive mail list (Regions, PHRA)
2. Industry (via Regions)
3. Canadian Seed Trade Association
4. Internet

Scope

This directive is for use of authorized certification officials issuing Phytosanitary Certificates and alfalfa seed exporters.

References

Council Directive 2000/29 EC of 8 May 2000

This directive supersedes the phytosanitary note dated November 12, 1998.

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 will be charging fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. Exporters requiring more information on fee schedules may contact any CFIA local offices or visit our Fees Notice Website.

1.3 Regulated pests

• Ditylenchus dipsaci (stem nematode) - alfalfa race
• Clavibacter michiganensis pv. insidiosus (bacterial wilt)

1.4 Regulated Commodities

Alfalfa seed to E.U. countries

2.0 Specific Export Requirements

2.1 Certified (pedigreed) seed of varieties highly resistant to bacterial wilt

2.1.1 There is no official record that bacterial wilt has occurred on the farm or its immediate vicinity since the beginning of the past 10 years;

2.1.2 The seed must originate from a crop grown on a land on which no alfalfa has been grown for the three years prior to sowing the present crop;

2.1.3 No symptoms of bacterial wilt have been observed at the place of production or on any adjacent alfalfa crops in the last 1-2 complete cycles of vegetation;

2.1.4 The seed was laboratory tested and found free from Ditylenchus dipsaci or fumigated if the nematode was found present.

2.2 Certified (pedigreed) seed of varieties that are not highly resistant to bacterial wilt and common alfalfa seed

2.21 There is no official record that bacterial wilt has occurred on the farm or its immediate vicinity since the beginning of the past 10 years;

2.2.2 The seed must originate from a crop grown on a land on which no alfalfa has been grown for the three years prior to sowing the present crop;

2.2.3 No symptoms of bacterial wilt have been observed at the place of production or on any adjacent alfalfa crops in the last 1-2 complete cycles of vegetation;

2.2.4 The seed was harvested from a crop in its second or at most third year and there was no more than one preceding harvest from the crop OR

The content of inert matter (plant debris and soil particles) does not exceed 0.1% by weight;

2.2.5 Common alfalfa seed was laboratory tested and found free from bacterial wilt;

2.2.6 The seed was laboratory tested and found free from Ditylenchus dipsaci or fumigated if the nematode was found present.

2.3 Inspection requirements

Verification for the absence or presence of bacterial wilt, by an authorized certification official issuing Phytosanitary Certificates for alfalfa seed to EU countries should be based on:

• A written affidavit/declaration by the grower(s) that alfalfa was not grown, on the field of origin, for the last three years prior to sowing the present crop;

• Field inspection reports done by plant protection or seed program officers or inspectors;

• Checks with the pathology services of the provincial government of the province where the seed originates for any records of bacterial wilt on the farm of origin for the last 10 years.

Information about a variety's resistance to bacterial wilt should be obtained from the seed program officers.

Laboratory testing is mandatory for stem nematode. Laboratory testing is also mandatory for common alfalfa seed for verification that seed is free from bacterial wilt.

The testing is carried out by the Center of Expertise for Plant Quarantine Pests in Ottawa. Sample submission should be as per inspection manual.

2.4 Phytosanitary certification

If all of the indicated conditions are met, issue a Phytosanitary Certificate with the following additional declaration "There is no official record that bacterial wilt has occurred on the farm or its immediate vicinity since the beginning of the past 10 years."