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Plants > Plant Protection Policy Directives > Horticulture 

Review

This directive will be reviewed every 5 years unless otherwise needed. The next review date for this directive is April 25, 2008. 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

As with other importations of fresh fruit from new sources, the importation of fresh grapes from Japan was subjected to a trial importation period. This trial period was required to verify, by inspection, that shipments of fresh grapes from Japan can routinely be imported free of quarantine pests and meet the phytosanitary requirements outlined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in this directive. The trial importation period has been successfully completed and approved vineyards from Japan may begin regular shipments of grapes to Canada.

1.0 General Requirements

1.1 Legislative Authorities

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 us at our website.

1.3 Regulated pests

Fungi:

Guignardia baccae (Black rot of grape)
Coniella diplodiella (White rot of grape)
Phomopsis viticola (Dead Arm Disease of Grapevine, Phomopsis Cane and Leaf Spot)

Insects:

Lobesia botrana (Mediterranean Vine Moth)
Eupoecilia ambiguella (European Grape Berry Moth)
Popillia japonica (Japanese Beetle)

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

1.4 Regulated Commodities

All varieties of fresh grapes (Vitis) spp.

1.5 Commodities Exempt

Dried, processed, or frozen grapes.

1.6 Regulated Areas

Japan

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Import Requirements

2.1.1 Pre-Shipment Conditions

The grapes must originate from vineyards in Japan approved to export to Canada by the National Plant Protection Organization of Japan and where cultural practises and chemical controls are carried out to ensure freedom from the regulated pests,

OR

The grapes are fumigated with Methyl Bromide according to the attached schedule (see Appendix 1).

Note: Methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting substance and, as such, its use is not encouraged when alternatives such as pest management programs are available. Although its use as a quarantine treatment presently exempts it from consumption controls under the Montreal Protocol, it is not known how long this exemption will remain in effect.

AND

The shipments must be inspected by the National Plant Protection Organization of Japan at origin, prior to being shipped, to ensure freedom from pests, soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris.

2.1.2 Permit to Import

A Permit to Import is not required.

2.1.3 Phytosanitary Certificate

A Phytosanitary Certificate is required. This document must be issued by the National Plant Protection Organization of Japan within 14 days before the grapes are shipped to Canada from Japan. The original Phytosanitary Certificate must be presented at the time of import into Canada.

An additional declaration is not required if the shipment meets import requirements and originates from an approved orchard, however, if post harvest treatment is necessary the details of the treatment (see Appendix 1) must be provided on the Phytosanitary Certificate.

2.2 Inspection Requirements

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 contents of the shipment will be examined 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, signs of decay, or soil, a further 5% sample may be randomly selected and examined.

CFIA inspectors should:

1. verify that the Phytosanitary Certificate, including the additional declaration, conforms to the Import Requirements specified under Section 2.1 of this directive;
   
   
2. examine shipments for freedom from quarantine pests (making reference to the appropriate pest fact sheets), soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris;
   
   
3. inspect according to the general instructions in the Plant Protection Import Inspection Manual for fresh fruit, Section 4.02.04;
   
   
4. take specimens if any pests are found, place the shipment in quarantine, and submit specimens for identification, according to the instructions in the Plant Protection Import Inspection Manual, Sections 4.02.04 and 4.11

2.3 Non-Compliance

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

Shipments found infested with pests will be detained pending laboratory identification. Shipments may be refused entry and returned to origin or disposed of if they do not meet the necessary 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 facilities, provided such a course of action does not cause unwarranted pest risk.

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

The Plant Health Division of CFIA will advise the National Plant Protection Service of Japan of any pest interceptions and/or non-compliance with any of the conditions outlined in this directive that are of a significant or emergency nature.

2.4 Other 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.
   
   

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

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

3.0 Appendice

Appendix 1: Methyl Bromide Treatment Schedule

APPENDIX 1

Methyl Bromide Treatment Schedule

Note: Canada is a signatory of The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (1992) agreeing to the reduction and eventual phase-out of methyl bromide use. The CFIA encourages exporters to use methyl bromide recovery systems and investigate the use of methyl bromide alternatives.

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