Plants > Plant Protection Policy Directives > Horticulture 

Subject

This directive contains the phytosanitary requirements to prevent the entry and spread of swede midge (Contarinia nasturtii). The directive outlines requirements for the importation and domestic movement of transplants of host species and soil that may contain life stages of swede midge.

Table of Contents

Review
Endorsement
Amendment Record
Distribution
Introduction
Scope

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 Specific Requirements
2.1 Prohibitions
2.2 Inspection Requirements
2.3 Non-Compliance

3.0 Appendices
Appendix 1: Reported Hosts of Swede Midge
Appendix 2: List of Regulated Countries and Regulated Areas in Canada for Swede Midge

Review

This directive will be reviewed as further pest risk assessment information is available and as information on the infested status of Canada becomes available. 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

In 1996, damage symptoms typical of the swede midge were observed by growers in broccoli crops east of Toronto, ON. When no insect larvae were found in relation with these symptoms the damage was mistakenly diagnosed as a nutrient deficiency. The CFIA was first made aware of the presence of swede midge in August, 2001. Following publication of survey results in 2001 a Pest Risk Assessment (PRA) was initiated. This PRA has now been completed and the results indicate that swede midge is a quarantine pest.

Swede midge is of European origin and is widespread in European Union (EU) countries. The midge is a poor flyer and thus the rate of natural spread is relatively slow. The pest can spread with vegetable transplants and with the soil associated with transplants. Damage is done as the larvae feed on the developing vegetative material, destroying the florets in broccoli and cauliflower and causing damage called a "blind" centre. It also causes distorted growth including "cabbage topping" or the death of the main shoot and the development of a number of secondary shoots. The PRA unit is working to compile more information on the damage done to canola and the risk of pathways such as fresh vegetables, used boxes and transplants.

Scope

This directive is intended for the use of importers, CFIA inspectors, Canada Border Services Agency, exporters and plant protection organizations in the United States (US) and Europe.

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 Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice website.

1.3 Regulated pests

Swede midge (Contarinia nasturtii(Kieffer))

Synonyms

Contarinia gallaica Tavares, 1916
Contarinia geisenheyneri Rübsaamen,
Contarinia isatidis Rübsaamen, 1910
Contarinia perniciosa Rübsaamen, 1914
Contarinia pontevedrensis Tavares, 1916
Contarinia torquens De Meijere, 1906
Contarinia tudensis Tavares, 1916
Diplosis nasturtii Kieffer, 1888
Diplosis ruderalis Kieffer, 1890

Common Name(s):

1.4 Regulated Commodities

All transplants or seedlings for propagation of host plant species of swede midge (e.g. members of the family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) including, but not limited to: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, horseradish, swede, turnip, rutabaga, Asian cabbage, bok choy, radish and kale.) This also applies to ornamental hosts of swede midge. Please see Appendix 1 for a list of recorded host species of swede midge.

Soil, alone or in association with plants.

Used Farm Machinery and Equipment - all machinery and equipment used in the cultivation or management of the regulated crops, including tractors, harvesters, blowers, rakes, sprayers and cultivators.

1.5 Commodities Exempt

Fresh and frozen brassica plant parts for consumption and seed of Brassicaceae plants

1.6 Regulated Areas

Areas infested or suspected to be infested with swede midge.

Please see Appendix 2 for a detailed list of regulated countries and regulated areas within Canada for swede midge.

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Prohibitions

2.1.1 Transplants

Movement of host material transplants from any regulated area to non-regulated areas in Canada is prohibited unless produced under a certification program approved by the CFIA.

Note: The CFIA will consider certification programs proposed by a regulated country of origin or for domestic movement on a case-by-case basis.

2.1.2 Soil

2.1.2.1 From Regulated Areas of Canada

Movement of soil alone or in association with plants from a field in a regulated area where host plants of swede midge have been grown in the past three (3) years to non-regulated area is prohibited.

2.1.2.2 From the Continental US and Off-Continent Sources

Soil from off-continent sources is prohibited entry to Canada and specific requirements are in place for the importation of soil in association with plants from the US. Please refer to D-95-26, "Phytosanitary requirements for soil and related matter, alone or in association with plants" for details.

2.1.3 Equipment and Machinery From Regulated Areas of Canada

For domestic shipments originating in infested areas of Canada, the shipper must first obtain a Movement Certificate issued by a CFIA inspector.

Conditions for import and movement of equipment from off-continent are contained in D-95-26 "Phytosanitary requirements for soil and related matter, alone or in association with plants".

2.2 Inspection Requirements

All shipments of host transplants or seedlings for propagation originating from regulated areas are subject to inspection and sampling upon arrival to ensure compliance with these requirements and to determine if pests are present.

The inspector shall:

1. Inspect the material for symptoms of swede midge and ensure that the material meets the requirements of this directive

2. If the material has symptoms of swede midge infestation the inspector must submit samples of symptomatic plants to the Centre for Expertise for Plant Quarantine Pests (CPQP) for identification and confirmation. The symptoms of swede midge attack include the following:

   • leaf stalks may be swollen, distorted or twisted resulting in the death of the main shoot
   • buds may be "blind", that is, the inflorescence may be destroyed (nothing inside the wrapper leaves)
   • distortion of leaves
   • small yellow "jumping" larvae

   Please see the Pest Fact Sheet on Swede Midge for further information.

   Material with symptoms of swede midge infestation must be placed under Notice of Quarantine until CPQP results are available.

3. If the material is infested with swede midge or does not otherwise meet the requirements of this directive, treat the material as outlined in Section 2.3, Non-compliance.

2.3 Non-Compliance

Shipments which do not meet the requirements of this directive, or are found to be infested with quarantine pests may be refused entry, returned to origin, or disposed of at the importer's expense. The person in care or control of the material is responsible for any and all costs relating to treatment, disposal or removal, including costs incurred by CFIA to monitor the action taken. Please also refer to D-01-06 to determine if a notification of non-compliance should be sent.

3.0 Appendices

Appendix 1 Reported Hosts of Swede Midge
Appendix 2 List of Regulated Countries and Regulated Areas in Canada for Swede Midge

Appendix 1

Reported Hosts of Swede Midge

Appendix 2

List of Regulated Countries and Regulated Areas within Canada for Swede Midge