Plants > Plant Protection Policy Directives > Horticulture 

Subject

This directive outlines the plant protection (phytosanitary) requirements for the importation of fresh pears (Pyrus spp.) from Japan into Canada in order to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests.

This current revision concludes the trial period, which successfully ended in the fall of 2005, for the importation of fresh pears from Japan based on the conditions of this directive.

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
1.3 Regulated pests
1.4 Regulated Commodities
1.5 Commodities Exempt
1.6 Regulated Area

2.0 Import Requirements
2.1 Pre-shipment Conditions
2.2 Permit to Import
2.3 Phytosanitary Certificate

3.0 Inspection Requirements

4.0 Non-Compliance

5.0 Other Canadian Import Requirements

6.0 Appendice
Appendix 1: Protocol for Mite Sampling and Sample Submission for Identification Purposes on Fresh Fruits from Japan

Review

This directive will be reviewed every 2 years. The next review date for this directive is August 28, 2008. 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

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) completed a trial for this directive in 2005. The current revision of this directive has been amended accordingly.

Scope

This directive is intended for use by those wishing to import fresh pears (Pyrus) from Japan into Canada. This directive is also intended for the use of the CFIA inspection staff, the Canada Border Services Agency and the NPPO of Japan in order to determine what the requirements are for this fruit to enter Canada.<>

References

International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms. Rome, 2006.

This directive replaces D-03-11 (1^st Revision).

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 Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice website.

1.3 Regulated pests

Fungi

Alternaria gaisen, black spot
Monilinia fructigena, brown rot
Monilia polystroma
Venturia nashicola, Asian Pear scab

Insects

Acrobasis pyrivorella, pear fruit moth
Carposina sasakii, peach fruit moth
Grapholita inopinata, Manchurian codling moth
Grapholita molesta, Oriental fruit moth*

Mites

Amphitetranychus viennensis, hawthorn spider mite
Tetranychus truncatus

* regulated for the province of British Columbia only

This list is not considered to be all inclusive. Pests intercepted during inspection will be submitted for laboratory identification, and quarantine action will be taken if they are determined to be regulated pests. Shipments may be rejected based on the finding of regulated pests or infestations of other pests.

1.4 Regulated Commodities

Fresh fruit of pear (Pyrus spp.)

1.5 Commodities Exempt

Dried, frozen or processed fruit.

1.6 Regulated Area

Japan

2.0 Import Requirements

Shipments must be free of regulated and non-regulated pests, soil, sand, leaves, plant debris and meet the following requirements.

2.1 Pre-shipment Conditions

The pears must originate from orchards in the Tottori Prefecture approved for export to Canada by the NPPO of Japan and meet the following pre-shipment requirements:

Pears must be produced, packed and stored according to the requirements of the NPPO program for export of pears to Canada. Under this program, pears must originate from growers designated by the NPPO to export pears from Japan to Canada and who have complied with all the requirements for monitoring and control of the "Regulated Pests" (section 1.3). The pears must be stored and packed by facilities approved by the NPPO for handling pears for export to Canada. Fruit must be sampled and inspected according to specified procedures.

2.2 Permit to Import

A Permit to Import issued pursuant to the Plant Protection Regulations, is not required.

2.3 Phytosanitary Certificate

A Phytosanitary Certificate with the following additional declaration is required:

"This is, further, to certify that this shipment of [pear variety] was grown in accordance with the plant quarantine measures for fresh sand pears produced in Japan for export to Canada."

This document must be issued by the NPPO of Japan within 14 days prior to shipment. The original Phytosanitary Certificate must accompany the pears to Canada.

3.0 Inspection Requirements

Note: If mites are found during inspection, refer to the procedures outlined in Appendix 1.

Shipments will be subject to inspection and sampling on arrival to determine if pests are present. When a shipment is inspected, a random sample of 5% of the content of the shipment will be taken and if pests are found, the shipment will be detained pending the results of pest identification. If pests are not found in the initial 5% sample, but there is evidence of pest activity, e.g. presence of frass, a further 5% sample may be randomly selected and examined.

CFIA inspectors should:

1. verify that all import conditions relative to documentation and packaging conform to the requirements specified under section 2.0 Import Requirements of this directive;

2. Examine and inspect shipment for pests (making reference to the appropriate pest fact sheets), soil, leaves, and plant debris;

3. Take specimens if any pests are found, detain the shipment, and submit specimens for identification.

4. Forward Inspector's Report to:

Horticulture Section, Plant Health Division
59 Camelot Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A OY9
Telephone: 613-225-2342 / Fascimile: 613-228-6603

4.0 Non-Compliance

Shipments must meet all requirements when they reach first point of entry 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 regulated 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 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 the condition that such material cannot re-enter British Columbia without treatment against Oriental fruit moth.

The Plant Health Division will advise Japan of any interceptions and of non-compliance with any of the conditions outlined in this directive. The discovery of regulated 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.

The importer is responsible for any and all costs relating to inspection, disposal, removal, rerouting or diversion to processing facilities.

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.

5.0 Other Canadian Import Requirements

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

1. chemical residue standards as established under the Food and Drug Regulations,

2. licensing and inspection requirements as established under the Licensing and Arbitration Regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act,

3. regulatory inspection as established under the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Regulations under the Canada Agricultural Products Act, and

4. packaging and labelling requirements as established under the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations.

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.

6.0 Appendice

Appendix 1: Protocol for Mite Sampling and Sample Submission for Identification Purposes on Fresh Fruits from Japan

Appendix 1

Protocol for Mite Sampling and Sample Submission for
Identification Purposes on Fresh Fruits from Japan

Background

The Urticae mite group includes, among others, Tetranychus truncatus a pest regulated by Canada, and T. urticae, a non-regulated pest. Intercepted mites on fresh fruit from Asian countries are usually overwintering females which are impossible to identify to the species level because the male genitalia is required for proper ID. When relying solely on morphological characteristics, it is therefore impossible to determine whether the mites that are intercepted belong to T. truncatus or T. urticae species. In the past, shipments have been rejected on the basis that Tetranychus sp. individuals were intercepted.

There was therefore a need for the development of a rapid identification tool which would be effective at any life stages of the pest. By the end of March 2005, CFIA labs indicated that a molecular identification method was available and ready to be used for mite identification purposes. CFIA contacted the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries of Japan indicating that a pilot program will be initiated during this shipping season.

During this pilot phase only mite samples collected from pear shipments from Japan will be submitted to labs for molecular testing.

Methods

Because mite samples collected in pear shipments may be constituted of more than one species, a preliminary morphological identification to the genus level is still required in order to assess the validity of the molecular tool. This preliminary step should also allow to set aside non regulated mites and the release of impacted shipments immediately. Mites suspected to belong to the Urticae group will be submitted to molecular testing to identify species.

Mites found on fresh fruits from Japan will first be submitted for taxonomic identification, then to PCR analysis. When available, inspectors should send as much mites as possible for proper ID.

Because DNA deteriorate rapidly, mites should be immersed in 95% ethanol.

Samples should be sent to:

Entomology Laboratory,

Centre for Plant Quarantine Pests,
Room 4125, KW Neatby Bldg.,
960 Carling Ave., Ottawa ON K1A 0C6

Impacted importers should be notified that 4 to 7 business days are required to complete proper identification of mites.