Plants > Plant Protection Policy Directives > Horticulture 

Subject

This directive prescribes the conditions that permit the importation of fresh blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) fruit from Australia.

Effective immediately, fresh blueberry fruit from Australia, which complies with the phytosanitary requirements listed in this directive, may be imported into Canada without pre-notification to the Plant Health of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Table of Contents

Review
Endorsement
Amendment Record
Distribution
Introduction
Scope
Definitions, Abbreviations and Acronyms

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

2.0 Specific Requirements
2.1 Import Requirements
2.2 Inspection Requirements
2.3 Non-Compliance
2.4 Other

Review

This directive will be reviewed every 5 years unless otherwise needed. The next review date for this directive is May 9, 2011. 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

Fresh blueberry fruit grown in Australia has been imported into Canada on a trial basis since December 1987. As part of the trial importation protocol, Australia was required to provide 14 days notification to the Plant Health Division of the CFIA prior to any shipment of blueberry fruit to Canada.

On the basis of finding only one pest of significance from one shipment to date, CFIA has decided to approve normal commercial importation of fresh blueberry fruit from Australia. With this approval, the 14 days notification requirement is now waived, but the pest intercepted, Nysius vinitor (Rutherglen bug) has been added to the list of regulated pests for blueberry fruit shipments from Australia.

Scope

This directive is intended for use by those wishing to import fresh blueberries from Australia into Canada. This directive is also intended to aid the Canada Border Services Agency to determine import requirements.

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

Acropolitis rudisana (leafroller caterpillar)
Epiphyas postvittana (light brown apple moth)
Nysius vinitor(Rutherglen bug)
Orgyia (=Teia) anartoides (painted apple moth)

1.4 Regulated Commodities

Fresh blueberry fruit of any variety grown in Australia is permitted importation under the requirements specified in this directive.

2.0 Specific Requirements

2.1 Import Requirements

2.1.1 Conditions:

Fresh fruit of blueberry grown in Australia must meet the following conditions for importation into Canada:

1. All shipments of fresh fruit of blueberry must be commercially cleaned and packaged;
   
   
2. The shipment must be free of pests, soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris, including woody materials, except stems of fruit;

2.1.2 Permit to Import:

A Permit to Import from the Plant Health Division of the CFIA is not required.

2.1.3 Phytosanitary Certificate:

1. A Phytosanitary Certificate is required. This document must be issued by the appropriate Australian plant protection (plant quarantine) authority within 14 days of shipment from Australia;
   
   
2. the following additional declaration on the Phytosanitary Certificate is required:
   
   "the blueberry fruit in this shipment has been inspected and found free of Acropolitis rudisana, Epiphyas postvittana, Nysius vinitor and Orgyia (=Teia) anartoides.

2.2 Inspection Requirements

Shipments may be subject to inspection and sampling on arrival to determine if pests are present. If a shipment is inspected, at the inspector's discretion a representative sample of 5% of the contents will be randomly selected, and examined. If evidence of pest activity or pests are found in the initial 5% sample, a further 5% sample may be randomly selected and examined. If pests are found, samples may be sent for laboratory identification, and the shipment detained pending the results.

CFIA inspectors should:

1. verify that the Phytosanitary Certificate conforms to the requirements specified under 2.1 Import Requirements of this directive;
   
   
2. ensure that shipments are free of pests, soil, sand, leaves, and plant debris, including woody materials, except stems of fruit;
   
   
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, according to the instructions in the Plant Protection Import Inspection Manual, Section 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 may 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 pests of quarantine concern. If 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 discovery of living stages of any pests of quarantine concern could result in suspension of the import program.

The Plant Health Division will advise the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) of any pest interceptions and of non-compliance with any conditions outlined in this directive.

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.

2.4 Other

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 as established under the Canada Agricultural Products Act;
   
   
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 the local office of CFIA.